26th April 2025
Matilda the Musical Jr
Williams Creatives, Sue Townsend Theatre Leicester
Nicholas Nickleby - The Musical
Author: Joyce Handbury
Information
- Date
- 24th November 2017
- Society
- Chesterfield Operatic Society
- Venue
- The Pomegranate Theatre
- Type of Production
- Musical
- Director
- Carol Copeland
- Musical Director
- Jonathan Davis
- Choreographer
- Alison Doram
It’s the first time I have been to a World Premier and Chesterfield Operatic Society offered me that opportunity by performing a new musical, Nicholas Nickleby The Musical, which is based on the novel by Charles Dickens. The Musical is created by Derby-based author and composer, Dave Culling.
The musical tells the story of Nicholas whose father has died leaving the family pretty much destitute. He decides to take his mother and sister to London to seek assistance from his father’s older brother Ralph. Uncle Ralph insists that Nicholas takes up a position as a teacher at a boarding school in northern England run by Mr. Squeers and his wife. In the meantime, Ralph aims to use Nicholas’s sister, Kate, as a ploy to influence his investors. Shortly after his arrival at the school Nicholas soon realises that Squeers and his wife treat the children abominably and quickly finds himself at odds with his employer. He finally rebels and leaves the school taking with him the crippled Smike, who is older than the other ‘students’ and acts as an unpaid and terribly treated servant. They meet up with Vincent Crummles, his wife, and his company of actors which they join and where he meets Madeleine.
Nicholas eventually ends up back in London where disturbing happenings are revealed, particularly that of his sister’s humiliating sexual attention from Sir Mulberry Hawk, a potential suitor. Nicholas is determined to sort this out but his uncle tries to abort his interference by means of evil schemes including having Smike kidnapped and returned to Squeers, and, aware of his growing relationship with Madeleine, promises her father that he will excuse his debts if she marries Hawk. The latter plot is thwarted when Madeleine’s father dies unexpectedly. Nicholas manages to rescue Smike who sadly falls ill and soon dies. A sinister secret Ralph has harboured for years surfaces, and it is revealed that Smike was his son, whom he thought dead. He cannot come to terms with all of this and takes his own life. The Crummles return from a trip to America and offer jobs to Nicholas and Madeleine so all is resolved and as the final song says, ‘Happy Days Are Just Around The Corner’.
Ryan Mitchell was perfectly cast as Nicholas. His good looks, superb singing and acting skills were ideally suited to the role and the highly emotional complexities that he experiences, especially when Smike dies, were just sublime. Sam Widdowson was absolutely terrific as the crippled Smike. His bodily frailty was not over emphasised, but was always obvious, never faltering, and his portrayal of this simple, pathetic, downtrodden, abused young man was just so heartbreaking - a truly riveting performance. Simon Lewington was every bit the vile, vicious, venomous and sadistic horror of a man, Mr. Wackford Squeers, wheeling his cane at every conceivable opportunity, didn’t you just hate him - what a great piece of acting. His wife too, well played by Pauline Hindley, was equally nasty. Robert Spencer was excellent as the ruthless, calculating and cold-hearted business man Ralph Nickleby, looking for every opportunity to make money. His rendition of ‘He’ll Pay’ was superb. Danny Winson excelled in managing to portray the lecherous, lustful and unseemly qualities of Sir Mulberry Hawk especially in his ‘involvement’ with Kate Nickleby sweetly played by Chloe Fray and also with Alison Doram who was exquisite as Madeleine Bray.
The event that set the stage alight and hilariously lifted the mood, was the arrival of Mr. Vincent Crummles and his wife Mrs. Volumnia Crummles the ‘theatricals’ who ran an acting troupe. Karl Brennan and Sarah Morrell were both absolutely outstanding in every way. Their bizarre make-up, costume and wigs, the over-the-top acting the brilliant singing from both of them was just mesmerising - what a perfect, magnificent coupling this was, I just loved them. There were some terrific characterisations from those in the more minor roles and the Aristocrats, the children, who were super, together with the Ensemble were all splendid. The set was simple, stairs either side with an adjoining gantry, with added props to depict the different and various locations and they even made use of the theatre’s balcony at one point. A good eight piece orchestra, great costumes, atmospheric lighting and effective sound all added to make this a wonderful experience.
Every accolade must go to the society for their bravery in venturing into the unknown and for producing such a first-rate show. Dave Culling must surely be so proud of the whole company for taking on this huge challenge and for bringing to life his creation that has come to fruition in such an excellent production.
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