The Wedding Singer

This was the first time that I had seen this production and I was pleasantly surprised; it had a great story line, a colourful set, and a lovely musical score with many 80’s tuneful references. This rom-com genre production is based on the Hollywood 1998 box office smash of the same name; it was full of energy, ‘humour and excellent performances as it told the story of Robbie who sings at weddings, his failed relationship with his former fiancée and his romance with new love Julia.

Congratulations to the Director Richenda A Blakelock who puts her heart and soul into every production she directs; her energy and commitment is evident, her thinking outside of the box and a very much can do attitude is transfers to her cast which was clearly evident in this production in the way that the whole cast worked as a team.

Music this year was in the capable hands of Robert Wilson Baker who certainly delivered the musical score compellingly; never overshadowing the cast’s vocals he and his band of keys, guitars reeds and drums delivered first class contribution to this production, all this played in front of audience which was set in the round theatre style and created a setting to resemble the wedding singers gigs which made the perfect backdrop for this show. Choreography was in the capable hands of Rebeka Hunt who from the performance worked hard with both the principals and chorus to showcase some complicated dance routines and movement which was were well performed; I especially enjoyed the opening routine “It’s Your Wedding Day” and “All About The Green” which was beautifully delivered. The set design was simple yet effective given the limited space and relied on the creative design and strategic setting and positioning of the props, which were creative and fun especially the giant mobile phone and car and thanks to the stage crew; Jordan O’Connor, Joshua Baker, Corrie Hall, Ben Southwick and Aron Taylor, who ensured that the smooth changes between each scene were carried out seamlessly. The set was enhanced by some creative lighting from Elliot Nelson with Duncan Baxter on sound. The wardrobe department must have had great fun designing the costumes for this show there were so many outfits, wigs and hairstyles which created the mood and era thanks to Carol Hackers and Catherine Blakelock.

Playing the lead role as Robbie the wedding singer was Matthew David Lowery and he played the role with real panache and gusto, Matthew has a great deal of stage experience and he confidently delivered his character, he had excellent comic timing and demonstrated his versatility and showed all the emotions of the man he ably portrayed capturing the sweet natured but heartbroken Robbie, vocally  his voice was strong and confident to deal with the wide variety of songs; a good all round performance, musically I enjoyed his solo number “Somebody kill Me” and his duets with Julie  “Growing Old With You” and “Come Out Of The Dumpster”. Playing the female leading lady Julia the hopeless romantic cocktail waitress was Beth Collins; Beth for me delivered a stand out performance in this leading lady role; excellent characterisation and confident stage presence she excelled in her character and as a consequence delivered a strong performance both in her acting ability and singing; and the partnership between her character and that of Matthew’s ensured that the show moved along at a cracking pace; vocally Beth delivered he big musical numbers well and I especially enjoyed “Someday” and “Let Me Come Home”, playing her dutiful conservative and overprotective mother was Sarah Taylor who delivered a confident portray of the character. Playing Robbie’s band mates were Kevin Rhodes as Sammy who delivered a sterling performance, lovely stage presence and natural interaction with the other members of the cast as did Ashlee Bentham as “boy” George, lovely convincing and enjoyable performance loved the costume and lovely delivery of her solo musical number “George’s Prayer”, overall there was great chemistry between the band members they contrasted and interacted well with each other and delivered their  scenes confidently, musically they had some great numbers which were delivered with ease especially  “Today You Are A Man” and “Single” supported by the cast. Playing the role of the radical geriatric grandma Rosie was Richenda A Blakelock, fantastic performance capturing the audiences heart, delivering superb comic timing and one liners; and can this Granny move, vocally I enjoyed her duet with George “Move That Thang” and her sentimental but funny number “A Note From Grandma” excellent comic value and performance.  Playing Julia’s cousin, the wisecracking and flirtatious Holly was Alisar Jane Hassanyeh, great characterisation I loved Alisar performance; bubbly and uninhibited which she delivered positively, vocally I loved “Saturday Night in the City” performed with the cast and her duet with Sammy “Right In Front Of Your Eyes” which was confidently delivered. Playing Robbie’s finance Linda was Lucie Childs-Carty and for such a young lady she certainly pulled off this sassy character perfectly, great performance and vocally she certainly can belt out her numbers I loved her performance of “ A Note From Linda”  and her collaboration in the number “”Not That Kind Of Thing” and finally in the principal line up was Tom Entwistle as the brash Wall Street shark and rich boy Glen Guglia Tom certainly looked the part and his delivery of this bad boy image with a suave and sleazy edge was assertively delivered and certainly had the audience cringing with his  selfish dealings with fiancée Julia and later with Robbie, great performance and I loved his contribution in the musical number “All about The Green” 

With many shows you need strong supporting performers to take on what may be considered cameo roles even though they are integral to the show in the Wedding Singer we had a number of these roles all of whom played their characters with confidence; congratulations to Jennifer Hargraveas as Tina Turner, a clerk, Groom and Junior secretary, Emma Rebecca as Bonnie Tyler, Bum and Mookie, Jess Smith as Ronald Regan, Ricky, Tiffany and the secretary. Shannon Louise Charters as Imelda Marcos, Crystal and Donatella, Zac Deeney as Best man, Shane and the Waiter. Jennifer Henry as Agent, Donny, Loser Guy and to conclude the team well done to the awesome ensemble played by Hayley O’Connor, Michelle Borwell and Rebecca Michelle Kenny.

It was obvious from the performance that the whole cast had enjoyed this production they sang and danced each musical number with energy and enthusiasm and as a consequence their commitment and energy translated to the audience who thoroughly enjoyed the production. A big thank you to the front of house team for their kindness and hospitality and look forward to seeing you all in your next production.

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