The Producers

This special 90th year celebration for KAOS sees the company once again breaking new ground to give us The Producers. It may be that audiences were drawn to this theatrical adaption because of their memory of the original 1968 Mel Brooks movie, but that said, it’s likely that many, like myself, not having seen a stage version, were curious to see how well it transferred to the stage. Having read the more upbeat report on the differences of movie and stage musical, it was with a fresh pair of eyes, and knowing the excellence of the production team and cast, I was pretty certain if any Border Company could make it a smash hit Border Premiere, KAOS could. The staging for the whole show was excellent, with unique set pieces being designed and built by the company itself, using the promenade extension as a fabulous tool for scene changes and to enable the cast to connect with their audience. The fantastic big band overture , featuring ‘It’s Opening Night’, created great activity around the Funny Boy first night flop. The role of Max was embraced brilliantly. As a naturally gifted actor, his comic timing never faltered and vocal ability melodically and harmonically was top notch throughout. His solo ‘Betrayed’, sung in jail after being double-crossed, was executed to perfection. Evenly matched in every way was counterpart Leo. The hilarious shenanigans regarding cooking the books and creating a scam to make millions, which included hysterical fit and blue ‘sookie’ blanket, was inspired. ‘I Want to be a Producer’ was full of pizzazz and golden glitz with talented tapping showgirls coming from drawers. Both Max and Leo worked perfectly together, creating many highlights, including ‘We can Do It’, ‘Where Did We Go Right’ and ’Til Him’. Outrageous ex-Nazi, Franz, is professionally characterised with an air of madness in his reminiscing over the grand old days ‘In Old Bavaria’. His dancing prowess comes to the fore as he invites Max and Leo to join in for ‘Der Guten Tag Hop Clop’, which was suitably manic and added a genius interpretation to his achievement with ‘Have You Ever Heard’, to rousing audience applause. Wonderfully camp, Roger, with an even more camp partner, Carmen, were superb together. Roger’s team of assistants were a revelation, knowing how out of their comfort zone some may have come when donning their costumes to support their characters for ‘Keep it Gay’. Such a giggle! Voluptuous blonde bombshell Ulla, had the accent, the looks, the figure and the voice to truly impress her auditioning producers and the audience. ‘When You’ve Got It, Flaunt It’, is possibly the farthest cry possible from playing Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, but that is the strength of this talented lass. The finale of Act 1 was fabulous. In a ploy to attain funds for Springtime For Hitler, Max and Leo and the chorus of ‘oldies’, all zimmer clad and moving without exception to ‘Along Came Baily’, was a hit with everyone. Ulla’s white office paint job, in her beautiful blue costume, achieved the natural outcome in her intended seduction of Leo, culminating in the wonderful ‘That Face’.  The on stage spectacle sending up ‘Springtime For Hitler’ was a brilliant visual success. Roger took himself into the role of outrageous, camp Hitler and Carmen Ghia superbly played the Stormtrooper, proving to be another very multi-talented singer, actress and dancer.  The whole company built on ‘Prisoners Of Love’ to serve up a sublime company ‘Goodbye’. KAOS have to be so proud of such an achievement, this year especially, when there were moments of great adversity for their main production team member. I have to give special commendation for her massive dedication to the company during such a devastating family bereavement. I hope that next year’s Spamalot will bring further success for KAOS.

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