The Wedding Singer

It is 1985 in New Jersey and Robbie Hart and his band mates are having some success as a wedding band. However Robbie is not having the same success in his personal life when his fiance leaves him standing at the altar until a waitress at one of the wedding venues he performs at gives him sound advice and inevitably they fall in love. The story is told through great 1980’s sounding songs from ballads to disco to rap. Matthias Kramer as Robbie Hart was outstanding, portraying the singer/songwriter’s journey from happiness to anger and despair and back to happiness with consummate ease. His singing, dancing and acting were all top rate. Natalie Sutherland as Julia Sullivan, the wedding venue waitress who becomes his saviour, was excellent with a good stage presence and strong singing voice. I particularly liked their interaction in the comedy number “Come Out of the Dumpster” and in the reflective number “If I Told You” in Act 2. Ruth Foster as Holly, Julia’s friend and fellow waitress, was another actor with a good strong voice and super dancing skills – her rendition of the Act 1 finale number “Saturday Night in the City” almost brought the house down! David Saunders portrayal of Glen Guglia, Julia’s wheeler-dealer fiance, made it easy to dislike the character and showed his real colours in the number “All About the Green” with Robbie and the ensemble. Sian Noble as Linda, Robbie’s ex fiance, played the sexy rock-chick to the manner born especially in her rendition of the “Let Me Come Home” number. Caroline MacPherson wrung every ounce of comedy out of her portrayal of Grandma Rosie and her rap number “Move That Thang” was hilarious. Strong support was given by Matt Tyrer and Zoe Kinnear McIntyre as Robbie’s bandmates Sammy and George and by Norma Brown as Julia’s mother Angie. Alan Banner’s choreography was energetically and expertly performed throughout but especially in the Act 1 and 2 finale’s and in the “All About the Green” numbers. The company singing was excellent and superbly supported by Alan Mackintosh and his 12 musicians in the pit. The set was simple but effective allowing plenty of room for the big company numbers. Lighting too was very effective. Costuming was bright and colourful and appropriate to the characters and era. Well done everyone involved in the production – fully deserving of the standing ovation you received from the first night audience.

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