Disco Inferno
Information
- Date
- 19th October 2023
- Society
- Bunbury Players
- Venue
- Jubilee Centre, Mildenhall
- Type of Production
- Musical
- Director
- Mandy Morrish
- Musical Director
- Will Cahill
- Choreographer
- Chloe Gilbert, Mandy Morrish, Alisha Darkins, Emily Smith
- Producer
- Harrison Southgate
- Written By
- Book by Justin Sepple, Musical Arrangements by Brett Foster & Jim Coyle
Justin Sepple’s Disco Inferno is a juke box musical and, as the name suggests, is full of music from the 70's which everyone knows. Set in 1976. the show features memorable songs of that era, including Crocodile Rock, Celebration and Hot Stuff.
Whilst the music and the costumes almost write their own script, Disco Inferno isn't just about 70s fashion and music. Underpinning it all is a light-hearted script dealing with the age old conundrum; the desire for success versus the power of love. The musical is loosely based on the story of Faust and is about a boy who sells his soul to the devil’s representative in order to achieve fame and fortune – but at a cost
The staging was the glittering backdrop to a night club complete with glitter ball. Several steps in front of the DJ’s music deck worked well and were used to good effect throughout. The lighting was appropriate for the disco scenes although the soloists did not always ‘find their spot’ stage right and the lighting was dimmer down front of the stage, particularly stage left at times.
A lot of trouble had been taken to get things right with the costuming, which was very colourful and absolutely in period with lots of flared trousers and platform shoes. I am sure the costume team worked their socks off backstage with the many costume changes the Ensemble had.
The music was sequenced which worked well and sound was kept to a very acceptable level throughout the show. The Choreography Team had created some great choreography which took us right back to the era. MD Will Cahill had drilled the cast well and both Ensemble and soloists were excellent. Good use of body mics was a bonus although it might have been better to leave some of them switched on for dialogue as well as vocal work. I am afraid despite faultless vocals I have no idea what Lady Marmalade’s spoken words were all about as I couldn’t hear her.
This show’s 21 strong cast were all full of energy and enthusiasm. It was obvious that a huge amount of work had gone into the musical aspect of the show and it showed. So much so I think the Principals’ dialogue suffered. Taking into account the possibility of first night nerves it felt that the dialogue scenes ie the cinema queue, gent’s toilet, various flats etc. suffered from hesitant delivery and/or slow cue bite in some cases. This effectively slowed the show’s overall pace.
Good characterisations from all the Principals. Harrison Southgate, in fine voice, was great as Jack. He has a nice delivery, good stage presence and worked well with Amy Cahill (who also has a really great voice) as girlfriend Jane. Both gave extremely good performances.I enjoyed the performance of Harley Crisp as Tom, he has good comedy timing and is not so dusty vocally either. An accomplished performance. Nicole Drury as Maggie and Carrie Parsons as Kathy gave Tom and Heathcliffe great support. Kathy’s rendition of “Street Life” was first rate. Matt Darkins as the egotistical Heathcliffe did the role full justice. A natural mover and he has an excellent voice; as does Will Cahill who played a smooth and confident Duke. Good performances too from Esther McIntyre (Lady Marmalade), Jo Ward (Nick Diablo), Jack Barry (Terry) and not forgetting Dylan Watkins’s gay barman Lily.
Congratulations to director Mandy Morrish and both her offstage and onstage teams. This was a high energy show and I suspect a trip down memory lane for many there whose feet couldn’t help tapping to the familiar 70s music.
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