The Mystery of Edwin Drood

The Mystery Of Edwin Drood is based on the unfinished tale by Charles Dickens, with this book, music and lyrics by Rupert Holmes. It is a mash up of Music Hall and Pantomime with a murder and Dickensian characters. As this was Dickens’ final novel and he did not live long enough to complete the work we do not know who the murderer was.  Holmes wrote this version, so in true Music Hall style the audience get to vote on the final outcome!

Wade Ablitt has gathered together a truly talented cast and presented a very professional performance who all sang, danced and  acted their way throughout. His direction and attention to detail was superb, especially considering the short rehearsal time because of the Covid restrictions.

The rousing opening number “There you are” by the Chairman and the whole Company was full of energy, vitality and unrelenting enthusiasm; you knew you were in for a very entertaining evening. The cast, too many to list individually were all exceptional in their many roles, some quite small cameos but totally integral to the outstanding production I witnessed on Saturday night. The standard of singing was superb and the dancing was excellent.  However I must mention a few! Phil Cory was the Music Hall Chairman, his comedic timing, the relationship he built with audience, and his asides were excellent in getting the audience to participate fully. Rosa  Bud (Alice Pescott-Frost) had a beautiful voice, which was evident in her opening number “Moonfall”.  In true Panto style the lead boy,  Edwin Drood was played by a female Evie White and along with John Jasper (Ashley Betts) whipped up the audience with their cheers and boos and their incredible facial expressions and almost impossible body poses which  were mind boggling.   Stephanie Brown played Princess Puffer with conviction and belief and was thoroughly entertaining but then, we expect nothing less of her, maintaining her excellent standards which are her forte.

Wade Ablitt excelled himself with his direction and choreography. It was seamlessly chaotic, this does not happen by chance, but only with excellent direction.  The comedic synchronised and melodramatic expressions  and body poses, so symptomatic of the Victorian era, performed by the entire cast in reaction to the events occurring on stage were both exceptional and effective throughout the performance.  The dancing by all the cast, on a relatively small stage area was both initiative and inventive with the cast giving it plenty of energy.

Oliver Wood the musical director, lead his five piece orchestra and the whole cast excellently. The set design, by Dave Borthwick gave the beautiful  feel of the traditional Victorian Music Hall and set the scene  well. The costumes by Angela Whatling were also excellent and of the period.

It felt so good to finally be in at the opening of Gallery’s Studio Theatre, a converted Chapel, built in 1812. This  production and the opening should all have taken place last year, at Gallery’s  35 year anniversary, but we all know what happened last year! However they certainly have a packed schedule coming up and we wish them all the best with their plans and look forward to seeing their future productions.

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