The Wedding Singer

The Wedding Singer is a musical based on the film of the same name. It is set in the 80s so the costume and references are from the 80s too.

This is Ian Benson’s first Directing project and he has done a great job. It was clear that the cast were very happy and this was communicated to the audience. Choreography was by Chris Higginson and this was the first time he had worked on a whole show too. There was congruence in the dance numbers throughout the show and the use of the stage was very good. The set was quite simple with a balcony area Stage left. Set changes were good and each scene was easy discernible, even when the back drop was just a curtain. The musical director Alex Wood and his orchestra supported the onstage action wonderfully and the balance of music and voices was harmonious.

The story revolves around the two main characters. Robbie Hart, a wedding singer, and Julia Sullivan, a waitress/caterer, who works at the events where Robbie sings. The two become friends and bond over their love of the romance of the wedding.

Robbie was played by Jamie Redgate. Jamie played the part well with definite echoes of the Adam Sandler character from the film. He wore rather a severe black wig in the 80s mullet style. Jamie gave the character a naivete that was endearing as we watched him go through the turmoil of being in love with Linda, jilted, bitter and then in love with Julia.

Julia was played by Becca Pooley, as a lovely, caring, person, who we warmed to immediately. Julia is hoping to marry her long-time boyfriend Glen Guglia, played by John Blatchford, but as her friendship with Robbie develops, she sees how Glen is not the kind of man she wants to spend the rest of her life with. Becca has a very good American accent, a clear, sweet singing voice and has a good stage relationship with the other characters. John Blatchford played a very arrogant and manipulative Glen Guglia, who drives a Silver Delorean Car (made by the cast) and who is ready to marry Julia but not be faithful to her. John’s characterisation was well observed and it was easy to dislike him.

Robbie lives in his grandmother’s basement and has a good relationship with her. Grandma Rosie was played by Stephanie Wilson with gusto. She is a fabulous comedy character right down to her bloomers! There were some laugh out loud moments when Grandma Rosie was onstage. Standout moments are the vibrating bed, Grandma’s poem and her dance with George. Well done to stunt Grandma; Reanna Venn. I don’t think I would have realised it wasn’t Grandma doing the worm if I hadn’t seen a quick swap over from my seat. The audience loved this too.

The other characters were equally as strong. Robbie’s band members represented an 80’s covers band brilliantly. George Rowe played bass player Sammy, with his ‘Flock of Seagull’s’ hair and his bandana, George was trying to win back the love of his life, Julia’s friend Holly (Gemma Carracher). George’s interpretation of Sammy was really good and you could certainly see the character get stronger as the show went on. The third member of the band was George, played by Lewis Carlile; he played the keyboard player well. He wore ‘Boy George’ style hair and had a great personality. His voice is high and effeminate and his character is wise but weird! I enjoyed the band’s performance in the Bar mitzvah (Now you are a Man) and George’s Prayer was excellent.

Holly and Julia work together and Holly has a reputation as being a maneater. Gemma Carracher must have had fun with this character. She had some great costumes, an accurate accent and some energetic dance moves. Gemma, like Becca, has a great voice with good tone and diction so any numbers with Holly were equally strong.

Sexy Rock-chic Linda is the woman that stood Robbie up at the altar and then tries to win him back. Paige Williamson looks and sounds amazing in this role. She is a dancer/ choreographer and as such her stage presence is powerful. The athletic bedroom scene in the second act is an example of this.

Angie, Julia’s proud and loving mother, is played convincingly by Tracey Whitby.  I particularly enjoyed the bathroom scene when the audience were the mirror and, also, the mother/daughter relationship.

The ensemble pieces were very cleverly observed with attention to detail. I enjoyed picking out the different characters and watching them acting even when not involved in the dialogue. I could see and feel the joy. As previously mentioned, the choreography was energetic and well executed.

The chorus numbers were fun, full of pace and well arranged; the harmonies were on point too.

Toward the end of the second act the 80s references came thick and fast. Although Robbie and Julia want to be together, the re-entrance of Linda catapults Julia back into the arms of Glen. Robbie has to follow them to Vegas to try to stop them marrying and save Julia from Glen by declaring his love in song.

In Vegas there are many impersonators and Glen and Julia are about to be married by a Ronald Reagan impersonator before Robbie saves the day. The comedy increases as more ‘fake’ characters are introduced: Billy Idol, Cyndi Lauper, an amazing Gene Simmons and a Rocky. Soooo funny when Rocky gave Glen his gum shield to be able to speak. It really was a fun finale. I particularly enjoyed Stephanie Paul’s Tina Turner, she kept her Tina shuffle right up until the end. I also noticed her as the large Lady character earlier on.

Costumes, make-up and hair were colourful and in keeping with the 80’s. I enjoyed the details like the Kippah worn by the band in the Bar mitzvah scene. I noticed the colour coordination in many of the songs. For example, when Glen sings ‘All about the Green’ the chorus wore a lot of green and when Holly sings ‘Right in Front of your Eyes’ there is a black and white theme.

Overall, the show was great fun, with lots of details. The whole company deserve praise as the technical were good too. For a first night the very few teething problems did not detract from the entertainment had by all.

Thanks for the warm welcome you gave me and thanks for a very entertaining and fun night.

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