By George

"By George” A Quirky Coalescence of Yorkshire Charm and Chip Shop Magic

When it comes to unique and unconventional musicals, "By George" truly takes the cake (or should I say, the fish and chips) with its delightful blend of Yorkshire charm and chip shop ambiance. This unexpected combination makes for a thoroughly enjoyable theatrical experience that is both entertaining and heartwarming.Even the Show Programme was a newspaper. The level of detail was immense.

Woodhouse Musical Theatre Company and Lawrence Batley Theatre presented the world premiere of a brand new Yorkshire musical. By George delivers a dominant message that women are strong, family is important and there’s nothing like chippy tea.

George, Pauline and Sam, are a simple Yorkshire family living above their traditional Yorkshire chip shop. But everything’s not just salt and vinegar. This family crumbling. George is fed up of frying and would much rather be in the pub, Sam has grown up without anyone noticing and there's serial divorcee Marge on the prowl too. Stepping out of the constant stench of chip fat is our plucky heroine Pauline. A Yorkshire lass determined to keep everything from boiling over…With more than a few nods to Victoria Wood, hints of Birds of a Feather, By George follows Pauline’s battle to pull her family out of the ruins. A sizzling story of female empowerment and northern heart.

Set primarily between a quaint Yorkshire chip shop and the local pub, "By George" captivates audiences right from the start with its authentic depiction of just how proud folk are to be Yorkshire. The opening number was magnificent and reminiscent of Calendar Girls with its heart felt love note to the county. The stage design immerses you in the chip shop's vibrant atmosphere and I swear I could almost taste the mouth-watering freshly cooked fish and chips. The pub next door was no less impressive with authentic optics and stools. It looked straight out of the Rovers Return….if we were that side of the Pennines. From the flag stones to the road running along the front, the attention to detail was superb and some beautifully stunning lighting made for a perfect platform to work from. A huge congratulations to all involved in the set and lighting. Costumes hair and make up were everything you would expect and enhanced a huge team effort.

The supporting cast of "By George" delivered top-notch performances throughout, effortlessly balancing comedy and emotion. Playing various roles including the chip shop regulars and lively Zumba members this added depth and humour to the production. The actors' genuine Yorkshire accents add a layer of authenticity that enhances the overall experience. It really was difficult to single anyone out as they all were equal in quality and talent. 

The story follows George, a chip shop owner with dreams of giving the local man-eater an extra portion. As he goes about his daily routine, George seems quite blasé to the fact his marriage is in ruins as he pursues his fantasies. This was an odd character to get used to because you want to like him…but you can’t. He’s quite an unlikable man but fate never allows him to get away with things. I found him a mix of Basil Fawlty and Frank Spencer. Bringing George to life (literally and more on this later) was Richard Sykes. Quite simply incredible. Every facial expression, every perfectly delivered line was exact and required. Some quite magnificent physical comedy just topped off a super performance.

Playing the man-eater “Marge Brakenridge” was Niove Armitage. Niove was absolutely stunning in a role that must have been a blast to play. A mix of Joan Collins and Lesley Joseph, she led George a merry dance and the conversations with the Ambulance Call Handlers were hilarious.

Sam Roberts played Sam Booth. The son growing up around the un watching eyes of his parents was delivered with real believability and genuine care. Never overplayed Sam was a joy to watch.

Jessica Faye was every bit the firecracker Zumba trainer that we all fear as we walk into a class. Some perfect comic timing and excellent singing and dancing, Jessica brought huge amounts of energy to the show. 

Will Diamond delightfully brought to us by Gareth Cole was not in the show much but what he brought was a delicate delivery of a man in love and he sang beautifully. There was a nice moment from the audience as he left a scene of “we love you Will” He definitely won the hearts of the audience.

Scene changes and story progression was nicely handled by a recurring duo of Helen Woodhead and Colin Roberts. Colin was excellent as the pub landlord and delivered for me one of the most poignant lines in the show with a comment about “Cell Phones” Helen was hilarious in a further scene where cream cheese made an appearance. Comedy Gold.

With a show called “By George” you would think George is the one to watch and how wrong you would be. Step forward Nicci Cooney!! After a 14 year break she returned to play George’s long suffering wife Pauline. I was lost for words after watching her quite incredible performance. Emotion, humour, great singing and faultless delivery gave me one of the most believable characters I’ve seen in years. 

The audience were treated to a series of catchy original songs, each capturing the essence of Yorkshire life. From toe-tapping numbers celebrating the region to explosive Zumba dances and heartfelt ballads the songs carried the story and maintained the spirit of the Yorkshire people with humour and tenderness. Keira Watson should be very proud of the sound she produced as the band never overshadowed the lib and sounded magnificent.

One of the highlights of "By George" is its clever incorporation of dance routines. Choreographed to reflect the energetic pace of the chip shop, the dance numbers are brimming with enthusiasm and showcased the talented versatility of the cast members. From lively dance numbers to subtle sequences that transport us to a blossoming potential love affair, the choreography added an extra layer of fun and spectacle. As director, producer and choreographer Neil Broadbent, who was also in the ensemble, worked some absolute magic and should be incredibly proud of the bringing an original piece to life. Can’t be easy with no reference material to lean on. 

Speaking of which let’s return to George. Richard Sykes is a talent. Playing George he was brilliant but adding to the fact he wrote this fantastic piece of Musical Theatre is nothing short of unbelievable. The Lyrics were clever and witty and never lost an opportunity to shock when required. The script was well driven and had purpose. I’ve watched many a professional new shows where I’ve wanted to leave at the interval, with this I never wanted it to end.   

In summary, "By George" is a delightful original musical that captures the heart and soul of Yorkshire while immersing you in a chip shop. Its endearing characters, catchy songs, and authentic settings create an experience that is both entertaining and emotionally uplifting. Thank you for a truly unique theatrical experience that celebrates community, nostalgia, and the love for fish and chips, "By George" you were definitely worth a visit. Many thanks to the ever friendly front of house team and I look forward to seeing you soon.

 

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