Our House

‘Our House’ The Madness Musical – What an appropriate name for a good evening’s entertainment, well accompanied by an invisible orchestra.  From the word go this young cast were giving their all, in talent, verve and enthusiasm.   The Choreography well represented the movements of the band ‘Madness’ without necessarily copying everything. As the saying goes ‘if on stage you look as if you are enjoying yourself then the audience will’ and the audience did – very much.

The plot is complicated, the story of teenager Joe Casey whose life splits into two – the good and the bad.  His early exploits with love, family values, responsibility and growing up in general.

All this was acted out very ably by Sammy Foster in his first leading role.  His agility and dancing never appearing to inhibit his singing voice and his ability for quick changes needed to be timed for entry in the Guinness Book of Records!!  Helen Gallagher balanced him perfectly as the more down to earth girlfriend Sarah.  Longsuffering parents Dad (Mick Duckworth) and Mum Kath (Sandra Chewins)  added the rather more sober, adult side to the proceedings.  The Ensemble, I like that word because when necessary they were the chorus but all the time very capably playing their individual cameo roles of friends, policemen, anyone in fact that the plot required , including a brilliant performance from Jill Whitehouse as a very Liverpudlian receptionist.

The set was ingenious.  Just white buildings some with black and some with white woodwork indicating the good and the bad of the story, dressed with various form of LED lighting was moved about the stage quickly and quietly by an excellent stagecrew.  Costumes were good, was the similarity to Bingley Grammar deliberate or an accident???  Lighting was good throughout.  The long sustained applause at the end was very well earned.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.