Witches of Eastwick

Based on the 1987 film of the same name, The Witches of Eastwick is a musical that combines dark comedy, fantasy and spectacle, and this production embraced those qualities with real confidence and flair. There were many highlights throughout the evening, not least the technical ambition of the staging. In a venue not specifically designed for flying effects, these moments were handled extremely well, and the innovative set design, together with the use of projections, gave real dimension to the different scenes and helped create the show’s distinctive atmosphere. 

Craig Carter gave an excellent performance as Darryl Van Horne, bringing charisma, authority and a magnetic stage presence to this demanding central role. Vocally, he sang with strength and assurance, meeting the demands of the score with real impact. The three witches were also very well cast, with Angela Cameron as Alexandra Spofford, Laura Wallace as Jane Smart, and Roslyn Dale as Suki Rougemount each contributing strongly both individually and as an ensemble. Their vocals blended beautifully, and together they established the heart of the story, sustaining the production’s energy and emotional pull throughout the evening.

The strength of the production did not rest solely with the leading performances, as the supporting principals and ensemble also made an excellent contribution throughout. They brought energy, character, and commitment to their roles, ensuring the production remained vibrant, engaging, and full of life from start to finish.

Katy Angus impressed as Felicia Gabriel, delivering the role with excellent characterisation, commitment and dramatic force, while the magical elements associated with her performance were executed well and added to the theatrical impact of the piece. Ross Nicol provided solid support as Clyde Gabriel, with Hayley Russell as Jennifer Gabriel and Adam Stewart as Michael Spofford also giving performances of a high standard. Iain G. Condie contributed well as Fidel, and Caitlin King who stepped into the role of Little Girl at short notice did so commendably. The choreography was another real strength of the production, adding energy, shape and momentum to the musical numbers and helping to keep the storytelling lively and engaging throughout. The costumes also made a strong contribution, adding colour, character and visual richness to the production and helping to define both the world of the piece and the personalities within it.

Overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable production, combining strong performances with impressive technical achievement and a great sense of theatrical confidence. The direction by Blair Ledgerwood-Cruikshank, supported by the musical direction of David Dunlop and choreography by Greg Robertson, ensured that the production maintained momentum and delivered a polished, vivid and entertaining evening of theatre. This was a bold presentation of a challenging show, performed with commitment and enthusiasm, and it was clearly met with warm appreciation from its audience. Well done!

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