The Producers

The Producers’ is a musical adaptation of the Mel Brookes film of the same name. It tells the story of two producers who plan to put on a Broadway flop in order to get rich but their plan backfires and they find they have a hit musical ‘Springtime For Hitler.’ With catchy music and a very funny script it is hard to imagine how ‘The Producers’ could ever fail.

The success of the show is largely dependent on having a strong male cast and E.M.T.is most fortunate in having this. The lead role of Max Bialystock was extremely well played by Andrew McDade who had impeccable timing with a very good understanding of Mel Brookes script. His number ‘Betrayed’ where he gives an account of what has gone on during his efforts to put on a show was a veritable tour de force.. Max’s partner in crime and co-producer Leo Bloom was brilliantly played by Jerrard Doran. His nervy demeanour and mannerisms never faltered as he sought solace with his little blue blanket and eventually confidence as he finds love. This partnership worked very well indeed each player complementing the other both vocally and dramatically.

In order to get a show on the road they engage the help of the fanatical Hitler lover Franz Liebkind ( Scott Kenneway) who along with the camp and flamboyant Roger (Fraser Shand) and the ultra camp, mincing , pirouetting Carmen ( Luke Smith) had the audience belly laughing with their antics and song and dance numbers. ’Keep It Gay’ was one of the funnies things I have seen or heard for some time. One might think that some of the content in this show might be offensive or controversial but somehow it is all very acceptable and entertaining.

There were some wonderful cameo roles too particularly in the Auditions scene in Act 2 where real individual characters were developed. Henrietta Linnemann gave a very sexy performance as the blonde Swedish Ulla especially in ‘When You’ve Got It, Flaunt It.

The Little Old Ladies with their zimmers were animated and in good voice and deserved the laughter and applause they received.

Everybody on stage engaged with the audience and the witty script was never lost. Occasionally the orchestra  became a little over zealous so that lyrics were lost but this was a musically strong production.

The full company in ‘The King of Old Broadway ‘ and ‘Springtime For Hitler’ were especially strong both vocally and in the choreography.

This was certainly a most amusing and entertaining production with a strong principal and ensemble cast. Rarely have I heard so much laughter from an audience who, like me, had a most enjoyable evening.

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