The Wedding Singer

This show, based on the 1998 film of the same name, takes us back to the big hair and shoulder pads of the 1980’s.  Set in Ridgefield, New Jersey in 1985, it is a romantic comedy, with many obstacles along the way, until finally boy gets girl.  It was the first time I had seen the Stage show and it proved to be a thoroughly entertaining evening.

Stage Manger Martin Brookes and his team had translated Alison Hennessey’s designs into an interesting working set, with a variety of acting areas on different levels, an abundance of glitter curtains, a lovely basement and real airline seats.  The lighting had been well designed, cued and operated, making sure the ‘cat walk’ around the band was lit.  Good use had been made of the screen stage right with projections, which updated the audience regularly for things like which wedding we were at.  The sound balance was good with no problems with band overpowering voices and cuing was precise.  The wardrobe department must have had fun costuming this show, there were so many outfits; and combined with make-up hairstyles and wigs took us to the correct period of time. The Vegas impersonators looked wonderful.  I liked Natalie Britton’s choreography, the dances had been well rehearsed and most people were confident, with everyone looking as though they were enjoying themselves, except perhaps at the Bar Mitzvah, the disinterest on the dancers faces was brilliant, particularly Alice Walton.

Musical Director, Roger Winter, had taken on the challenge of this very different show, he had once again made sure the cast was well rehearsed and put together a   top-notch band.  There were many enjoyable numbers, well sung with feeling, but sometimes, with the heavy American accents, the diction was poor.

The opportunity for playing larger than life characters is in abundance in this show and everyone made the most of it, both principals and chorus.  The Vegas Impersonators were great fun.  Everyone embraced their roles with enthusiasm, but a few people stood out for me Rosie Cleverdon, playing a character way beyond her years with Grandma Rosie, and Adele Sharp as Holly, she was every inch the character, brilliant.  The other person I must mention is David Walker who as Production Coordinator was not expecting to be on stage, but the evening I attended an important member of the chorus had been taken ill and David stepped in, he did a great job and so did the rest of the cast for not letting it faze them.

Joanna Hachani was making her directorial debut with this show and she obviously had the support from the whole of the team to make this show a success.  She had had brought the flavour of the 80’s to the show.  She had put her own stamp on it, not an easy task with so many people remembering the 1998 film on which it is based.  Well done everyone.

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