The Producers

Max Bialystock, a failing Broadway producer, joins up with accountant Leo Bloom. Together they come up with a plan which will made them millionaires by producing the worse musical ever which will be a total flop. They find the most offensive script ‘Spring Time for Hitler’ coupled with the worse director they can get. What can possibly go wrong with their plan?

The shows opens with ‘Opening night’ and it was opening night I attended. This production however was everything but a flop. The whole production was well polished and a delight to watch as the cast took us though Mel Brookes’ brilliant totally un PC script. 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.

It would be difficult to say who was the star in this show as the whole principal line up were amazing and played their parts without fault. For this show to be successful there is a need for a strong male cast and COMIC demonstrated they had this.

Lewis Doley played the lead role as Max Bialystock extremely well with good timing and understanding of Mel Brooks script. His number ‘Betrayed’ where he gives an account of what has gone on during his efforts to put on a show was particularly well done and memorable. Max’s partner in crime and co-producer Leo Bloom was brilliantly played by Ollie Edwards. 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. Musical numbers such as ‘We Can Do It” and ‘I Wanna Be a Producer’ were excellently sung.

In order to get the show on stage they engage the help of the fanatical Hitler lover Franz Liebkind    (Justin Randle) who along with the camp and flamboyant Roger (Peter Holmes) and the ultra-camp, mincing , pirouetting Carmen ( Liam McNally). All three portrayed their roles with conviction.  ‘Der Guten Tag Hop-Clop’, ’Keep It Gay’ and ‘Springtime for Hitler’ were well done.

Jess Billingham delivered a level of naivety to her portrayal as Ulla and certainly dominated the stage in her delivery of ‘When you got it, Flaunt it’. 

The sets built by the company were excellent in standard and could have easily been a professional made hired set. The show is costume heavy with chorus portraying numerous roles. These were of a high standard and totally fitted the requirements of the show. Detail to props was equally impressive.

Although directed elsewhere this production was Chloe Turner’s directing debut for COMIC who also worked as chorographer for the show. She had clearly worked hard in bringing the whole team together resulting in an enjoyable and entertaining show.

James Bradbury as musical director had 12 musicians under his direction. The music was well balanced and at no time drowned out the singing on stage. I understand from the programme this was to be James’s last show having worked as MD since 2008. What an amazing well-presented show to finish on.

This was my first COMIC show. From the standard of this production I most certainly hope it was not my last.

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