The Witches of Eastwick

This production certainly cast a spell over its opening night audience – what a brilliant show.  From the opening note the ten-piece band sounded crisp and clear.  With an upbeat overture the show started with a bang and just built from there with big stylised musical numbers and tremendous performances by everyone on stage.

Based on a novel and known to many as the Warner Bros Motion Picture of 1987 the musical tells the funny, if complicated story, of three single women living in the quiet American town of Eastwick, complete with the town’s bossy, self-styled Queen Bee and how the lives of everyone there are impacted when a flamboyant stranger takes up residence.

The cast were incredible with the three ‘witches’ Jane Smart, Suki Rougemont and Alexandra Spofford being played by Nina Jackson-Logue, Jasmine Caine and Emma Swales (respectively).  Each actor perfectly captured the personality of their character.   Jackson-Logue was excellent as the quiet, strait-laced musician, but when she let her hair down, she really found empowerment.  Caine as the timid journalist was delightful in her scattiness whilst hiding her secret passion for her boss Clyde Gabriel.  Swales was perfect as the hip single mother, who finds her fulfilment when the dashing stranger comes to town.  Every line this trio delivered, every song that they sang, every move on the stage and every drop of passion they poured into their sharp and witty performances was captivating.  The confidence with which they flew and sang to end act 1 was staggering – showstopping performances from three very talented actors.

Of course, the ‘witches’ needed someone to ignite their passion and this they found in Darryl Van Horne, played with finesse by James Newell.  Despite a huge role Newall always appeared perfectly composed, but sufficiently enticing to make anyone want to ‘Dance with the Devil’.  His numbers with the witches were fabulous.  There were many, many moments of hilarity in the show with lots provided by the pairing of Ruth Taylor as Felicia Gabriel and Gavin Mills as Clyde Gabriel – wonderful expressions, fabulous physicality backed up with great vocals and wicked timing.   ‘Evil’ was totally unforgettable – for all the right reasons.  Louiza Noland as Jennifer Gabriel was delightful as the well-behaved daughter of Felicia and Clyde who easily transitioned from the good home-town girl to a very naughty one when propositioned by Van Horne.  The pairing of Noland with Dan Stanford as Michael Spofford was excellent and Stanford was wonderful as the asthma suffering small-town boy who struggles to let the passion out.  Ava Fordham and Olivia Swales shared the role of ‘Little Girl’.   On opening night it was Olivia who skipped and sang her way through the numbers to great effect.

The whole cast absolutely gave their all to the characters – with clear diction and excellent stage presence.  Every number was polished. The choreography was excellent, and every appropriate opportunity was taken to show off the dancing skills of the very talented cast.  There were high kicking numbers with a Broadway feel and a range of routines for both principal characters and the townspeople which were entertaining, well directed and wonderfully executed.  Direction was sharp throughout and the musical numbers were very well delivered. 

Costumes were wonderful – perfect colours, styles and worn with tremendous panache by the cast who were also adorned in period appropriate wigs.  Special effects were very well executed including explosions and flying – simply wonderful.  With a great set, tight stage management, strong lighting and sound the whole production was professional in every sense except the pay packets. 

The Creative Team and Crew including Mike Kirkby as Director, Jim Lunt as Musical Director and Jessica Mooney should feel incredibly proud of how their hard work has paid off.  A fabulous evening’s entertainment – Congratulations to everyone at HOPs for bringing this production to Harrogate Theatre.

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