The Wedding Singer

I really enjoyed this feel-good musical based in the colourful 80s and the society’s production did the era proud.  Having only seen the film previously I was probably expecting the same score but the stage version gave us a new set of music which was in keeping with the time, and all numbers were well performed.

Ian Appleyard played Robbie Hart, the jilted wedding singer whose heart is stolen by waitress Julia.  He was on stage for a good deal of the performance and performed really well, singing, acting and playing guitar.  His ‘Grow Old With You’ duet with Julia was lovely.

The only problem for Robbie is that Julia is also about to be married.  So with a familiar theme we all know how it will end don’t we!  But there are some twists and turns along the way to what I felt was a rather rushed ending script wise.

Georgia Wormald as Julia gave me another fine example of her abilities, once again showing a great presence and singing superbly, especially in ‘Come Out of the Dumpster’ and ‘Someday’.

Robbie’s fiancée, Linda, was excellently played by Pauline Simpson who really had to work hard, and carefully, on a bed which was moving about all over the place in ‘A Note From Linda’.  I thought Christian Brodie was very good as Sammy, one of Robbie’s band members, and Cameron Rudland gave a very enjoyable interpretation of (Boy) George, maybe needing to rein it in a bit as the week progressed.

With many shows you do, of course, need strong performers to take what may be considered to be smaller parts, even though they are totally integral to the show.  Here we had James Galer as Glen Gulia, a Wall Street broker, Sophie Robinson as Julia’s friend Holly, Georgina Garton as Julia’s Mother and Elaine Windass as Rosie, Robbie’s Grandmother who did a great rap number with George.

The choreography was first class with the brave choreographer putting everyone through their paces and being, I would think, delighted with their efforts.

The costumes were right for the era and I liked the set which included two sets of steps and a platform linking them which was well used.  The utilisation of good stage props was well executed.  The band was housed between the steps and was well balanced, allowing us to hear everything.  However, mics were a bit in and out at times which was a shame as, at times and especially on a full stage, it was difficult to see who was actually singing solo lines.

Overall I felt that the whole audience found this to be a very enjoyable evening’s entertainment which deserved more people.  That reward came later in the week I am told.

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