The Wedding Singer

The Wedding Singer is a musical that I haven’t seen before and the trip back into the 80’s made for a nostalgic evening.

The stage was simply set with the floor of the theatre used to depict Grandma’s house and the dumpster outside. The bedroom was furnished appropriately for the time and with nice personal touches. On stage two sets of stairs and a connecting platform provided added heights making for attractive settings.

The tables and chairs being in one unit was innovative and enabled quick scene changes, and the bar and car making an appearance from the doors centre stage was clever too.

There were numerous chorus numbers and the show opened with a wedding reception in which the cast were costumed in a wonderful variety of styles and shades of red. Everyone on stage had their own character and had really worked at it. Emily, the typical guest with camera, the drunken brother-in-law and later a woman who’d had too much to drink, wearing only one shoe, to name but a few. Each cast member played their own role with commitment.

The principal line-up was impressive.

Ryan Stevens gave a very good performance in the title role of the charismatic wedding singer Robbie, a dreamer, in love with the idea of love, and his fellow musicians were played strongly by Charlie York as Sammy, the dedicated bachelor (except that he was actually in love with Holly!) and Gareth Brown as George. I loved Gareth’s flamboyant character and he clearly enjoyed playing the role! The three men came across as really close friends.

In the role of the caring, girl next door waitress Julia, Stephanie Mottershead displayed vocal ability and acting that were first rate.

Julia’s uninhibited ‘fairy godmother’ was played with great style by Laura. Always there and encouraging her friend -- whilst not missing any chances herself. A real good time girl!

The down to earth, young at heart Rosie was true to life and I’m sure reminded some in the audience of their own Grandmas. Tina Craig played her extremely well and I loved her in her exercise gear!

Emily Muirden made a dazzling Linda. She was utterly self-absorbed and, it was clear to the audience, totally wrong for Robbie. That was a fabulous character and Emily must have had so much fun playing it. Her appearance in his bedroom in an attempt to win him back was very well handled.

Another praiseworthy performance was from Daniel Bundy as Glen, the wealthy womaniser; shallow and materialistic who thought his assets could buy Julia and had no genuine interest in any one other than himself.

Nicola York playing Angie, acted the bitter divorcee effectively.

The other wedding guests, shoppers and dancers were totally in character, whichever one it happened to be, throughout the show and every single one of them added to the visual and vocal strength of the production. I know that Camus is a ‘family’ and it really shows on stage.

The technical side of lighting and sound were strong and after a long chat with Jake I understood what a lot of work went into the music. The volume was just right.

The properties were good, and the costumes - I guess quite a lot were supplied by the cast themselves - were excellent. I loved the different colour schemes for the weddings, the different wedding dresses and the eclectic choice of outfits. Unfortunately Dan’s wig, I’m sure there was a reason why he wore it, wasn’t very convincing.

‘Saturday Night in The City’ made a super close to Act One, strikingly costumed in black and gold and a big dance number.

I recognised the nod to ‘Fiddler on The Roof’ at the Bar Mitzvah and ‘Pop The Question’ was notable, also ‘It’s All About The Green’.

The whole cast exuded energy and whilst the musical had a rather light- hearted plot compared to your recent productions, it was a good evening’s entertainment and had a real feel-good factor. Everyone got a partner in the end!

Choreography was effective and the cast were well-rehearsed and capable dancers. Polly’s direction was excellent. Her eye for detail in both characters, setting and all production matters is praiseworthy.

Your programme is once again superb - I love your recent trend of giving the programme a ‘character’ as well as it being a source of information.

Thank you for inviting me to see ‘The Wedding Singer’ and for making my guest and I so very welcome on the evening.

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