The Producers

This Mel Brooks multi-award winning musical comedy is firmly established as a popular show for Amateur Theatre and for this society was an ambitious choice. The challenge at times on this opening night seemed a little too great, as scene changes within a complex and occasionally noisy set requiring heavy lifting seemed to stretch the hard working well drilled largely unseen crew considerably. This did not however for the most part distract from some excellent performances on stage.

The various scene settings were lavish, colourful and spectacular providing the right background for the principals and ensemble to make the very best of the musical score and dialogue, though at times some issues with sound resulted in an element of inaudibility

The ensemble played a highly important part in this production featuring in a host of roles and characters including “first night audiences”, the “little old lady brigade“ ( The crazy investors complete with zimmer frames) the judge and jury, and a vocally strong chorus members in numerous cameo parts. All involved in many of the 185 swift and efficient costume changes

Vital to the plot and deserving of great praise are the six leading characters each with their own individual roles that helped tell the whole story. Keith Parish gave a commanding performance as fading "King of Broadway" producer Max Bialystock, in a wonderfully energetic and humorous characterisation, leading the company in “The King of Broadway” and “Along Came Bialy” two of the rousing full ensemble numbers. Jonathan Boxhall-Southall as “Leo Bloom” his reluctant partner in crime, down-trodden and mousey accountant sang and danced throughout the show with enormous agility and helped ensure pace was maintained. “Max” and “Leo” with the Showgirls and Accountants in “I Wanna Be A Producer” was an excellent number. Also in “We Can Do It” as they planned to find the worst play ever written, hire the worst director and actors to guarantee a box office flop and then flee to Rio with the 2 million dollars invested by Max's army of little old ladies. As the would be starlet “Ulla” played by Vicky Khowaja employed as their secretary ultimately falling in love with “Leo” –gave an exhilarating performance particularly in the number “When You Got It, Flaunt It".

Anthony Raige was excellent as the Hitler worshipping “Franz”, script-writer of the "Springtime for Hitler" musical play. As was Richard Smith playing the worst director role “Roger De Bris” flamboyantly dressed in some outrageous costume and assisted by his life partner Carmen Ghia played by Michael Bentley, both giving deliciously camp wonderful  performances. There were notable performances also from Carole Corden and Aaron Gibson in the roles of “Hold Me Touch Me” and “Stormtrooper” respectively.

Costumes for all were of the highest quality and colour as were highly effective lighting and sound effects which brought a magical setting for many scenes. The full company in “Keep it Gay”, and “Springtime for Hitler” were especially notable in choreography and vocally, supported by a very pleasing and well balanced orchestra.

Thank you for a highly entertaining production of which all involved can be proud and fittingly dedicated to the late Daniel Sanders. Dan played an active role in the society, and as a committee member was instrumental in helping choose the show, just a few months before losing his battle with cancer in 2014. Dan would have revelled in performing one of the principal roles in The Producers”

Ian G Cox

Regional Representative - Worcestershire East (District 12)

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