CURTAINS the Musical

CURTAINS is a comparatively new musical ‘whodunit’ from the Tony Award-winning creators of CABARET and CHICAGO – John Kander and Fred Ebb.

Set in the late 1950’s it tells the story of Jessica Cranshaw (Tracy Binns), the talentless star of the new Broadway-bound musical ‘Robin Hood’ – who has been murdered on stage on opening night, and the entire cast and crew are suspects.

Enter stage left, local detective Frank Cioffi (James Thompson) – who just happens to be a huge musical theatre fan. With a career in crime and an ear for music, Frank has his work cut out trying to find the killer whilst giving the ‘show’ a new lifeline. Newcomer James Thompson is perfectly suited in the lead role of Cioffi, with a likeable, laid-back, modest and almost Columbo-esque charm as he attempts to solve the case and uses his own amateur musical theatre experiences to fix the struggling Robin Hood show. Frank falls in love with cast member Nikki Harris (superbly well-acted by Hannah Eldridge) who kept us all guessing as to her intentions and involvement in the murder throughout.

Experienced musical theatre actor and singer Rebecca Currie plays the role of Georgia Hendricks to perfection. She is one half of the ‘Robin Hood’ songwriting partnership who finds herself thrust into the spotlight of the lead role after the murder. Her estranged husband and co-writer Aaron Fox (Alex Easton) is a perfect foil for Georgia, beautifully sung and well-acted by both, making it apparent and obvious they are still in love with each other.

Kath Dryden excelled both in terms of singing and role portrayal as Carmen Bernstein, the brash producer who insists that the show must go on and has some of the best songs and comedy one-liners in the piece. Mark Navin was superb as the extremely camp English ‘stage director’ Christopher Belling.

They are excellently well supported by some super characterisations, dancing, singing and appropriate OTT acting by Michael Douglas, Kris Spratt, Choreographer – Laura Batey, Ian Carroll and C.J.Binns (a triple threat). With a cameo appearance by Director Jonathan Cash himself.

I have to say that, in my humble opinion, this piece does not bear any comparison to the ‘searingly hot’ scores of the previously mentioned CABARET and CHICAGO. It sounded like the nine-piece orchestra (situated in the Green Room) may have experienced the same, and although the audience joined in with rhythmic clapping during some of the ensemble pieces, personally, although there was some nice music, I didn’t find there was a memorable tune. This is by no means a criticism of lovely M.D. Susan Sabourn or her orchestra, but of the score itself and my disappointment therein. That said, this was an exceptionally strongly cast, well directed show, accompanied by some lusty and assured singing and dancing, especially in the ensemble numbers.

The production was aided by electronic back-drops and good lighting and sound. The colourful and apt costumes and make-up ‘finished’ the job superbly well.

I won’t be a spoiler and ‘give the game away’ by revealing the culprit. You’ll have to go and see for yourselves!.

Congratulations and well done to the whole team for a very entertaining evening and thanks to Chairman Kathleen for the invitation and hospitality.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.