Funny Girl

Funny Girl, although a Broadway Hit with a soundtrack in the Grammy Hall of Fame, is not a show that is produced often in the East Midlands  and I’m never sure why as it contains a strong musical score and equally engaging semi-biographical plot based on the life and career of comedian and Broadway star Fanny Brice.

Any production of Funny Girl very much depends on the strength of the actor playing Fanny and here Erewash Musical Society has very much fallen on its feet with an outstanding, show stopping performance from Megan O’Sullivan.  Megan judged her performance to perfection bringing out the confidence and brassy character that drove Fanny forward while at the same time showing the uncertainty and nervousness that was always lurking just below the surface.  Megan’s vocal performances in classics such as “People” and “Don’t Rain on my Parade” were outstanding, as was her acting that was never overplayed.  Phil Deakin provided a great foil for Megan as Nick Arnstein. Always believable as the wheeler-dealer who finds himself becoming ever more reliant financially on his wife which shakes his self confidence and drives him to try ever more risky ventures.

This show is not however only about this duo and the ensemble cast and named roles all played their part in the overall success of the production. Hayden Fletcher was a very sympathetic Eddie Ryan supporting Fanny throughout the show and his acting performance was equalled by his dance and vocal talent.  Sue Hagan brought out the single-minded faith Mrs Rose Brice had in her daughter, Karen Robbins was on great form as Mrs Strakosh and also in all the various dance routines with the amazing costumes.  John Fletcher was a very believable Ziegfeld supporting and challenging Fanny as she developed from a clumsy chorus member to the Star she became.  Natalie Austin, as Emma and Laurie Trott as Mrs Meeker both added to the overall production with their smaller but essential roles.

The ensemble cast all added their own unique elements to the overall production in their acting, vocal and dance contributions so congratulations to James Christian, Martin Briggs, Laurie Fitch, Joel Dawson, Hayley Wood, Emma Barnes-Marriott, Megan Asher, Barbara Bostock, Drew Boswell, Kay Buck, Vicky Byrne, Jane Freeman, Andrea Kemish, Elise Sanders and Louisa Ward.  The show would not have been complete without you all.

James, Emma and Sophie had clearly all put a significant amount of work into the rehearsal period as the diction, sound and movement were at all times very much on point.  James ensured that all the emotional highlights and moments of pathos were always pointed but without cliché or overacting.  Emma’s vocal work paid dividends throughout the evening with great clarity and delivery from every actor in a named role or ensemble member.  Choreography was judged perfectly by Sophie with her cast clearly enjoying themselves in the whole cast comedy numbers and duo/individual performances.

The setting and staging of the various scenes, with and without back projection, all added to the production and supported the fast pace of scene changes required to keep the narrative moving.  Costuming was excellent and really added to many scenes including the large set piece dances and full cast Railway Station sequences.  Lighting and sound added to the overall production.  Lighting was always supportive and a great sound balance was achieved between the stage and “band in the cupboard” used to maximise the size of the staging possible in the Duchess Theatre.

In every respect this was a very enjoyable production from Erewash and I look forward to seeing you again next year for Bad Girls the Musical.

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