THE PRODUCERS

The introduction in the programme by Kevin Moore, Director, says “The Producers has an edgy story line, but it is a dream musical with lots of fabulous songs, toe tapping dance numbers, comedy in abundance and big eccentric characters” …and for me it did exactly what it said on the tin!

There wasn’t one weak link amongst the main 6 characters and each held the audience in the palm of their hand.  Comedy timing, facial expressions and singing were all fabulous.  Each of them should be proud of their portrayals.

The show requires a fantastic Max Bialystock to hold it all together, and Peter Whitley performed it with perfection.  His comic timing was flawless.   The show also requires a great relationship between Max and Leo, and Matt Gardner held the part of Leo together superbly, with both of them delivering their musical numbers with professional ease.

There was also a great relationship as a trio with Ulla, played brilliantly by Fiona Spencer.  She danced magnificently, sang well, held the Swedish accent and oozed the appropriate sex appeal to build a great character.

There was great comic support from Mark Hutchinson as German playwright Franz Liebkind – the ‘Guten Tag Hop-Clop’ scene with the pigeons was hysterical, as well as his solo rendition of ‘Have You Heard The German Band’.  Angelo Clarke, as terrible Broadway Director Roger DeBris and Nigel Passey as his common-law assistant Carmen Ghia were both so brilliantly cast and added further to the mayhem, really making the most of their comic lines and their relationship in ‘Keep It Gay’. 

Equally all of the supporting roles and the ensemble created fabulous individual characters and there wasn’t one moment that they weren’t working the stage.

Judith Chapman’s choreography was expertly delivered with clever formations and movements giving every number a “wow-factor” whilst John Sandland (Musical Director) and his superb band supported the cast with excellent expertise.  The band was particularly well balanced and didn‘t drown the cast, so every word sung could be heard clearly which really helped deliver the story line to those members of the audience who weren’t so familiar with it.

Congratulations to the whole Company on such a successful show, your obvious hard work has paid off.  Well done to you all!

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