Young Frankenstein

As you venture into the zany mind of Mel Brooks, you need to take with you a group of open minded and fully committed performers, as half measures are not acceptable in this type of show. The Threshold group certainly lacked nothing and delivered a show that I am sure anyone would have been proud of. The production team of Dan Smith, (Director), Chris Davidson, (Assistant Director), Kathryn Lines, (Musical Director) and Dan Elliott, (Choreographer) hit every button and with a strong cast left us in no doubt as to the strength of this group. The pace of this production was perfect,

The leading role is Dr Frederick Frankenstein (Joseph Betts) and I can only say, if there is anyone who can play this part better, I would love to see it. His strong, accurate vocals combined with the almost faultless characterisation lead us through the story and all this combined with some amazing comic timing gave us this perfect performance.

He is helped on his journey by Igor (James Bell) who with equal comic timing and vocals, plus his extremely mobile hump, had the audience in stitches as he blundered his way through all situations that were usually of his own making.

There are three women in his life, his fiancée Elizabeth Benning (Rebecca Jillings) whom we meet first as she frustrates him with “Please Don’t Touch Me”. Inga (Emily Sidnell) who as the sexy laboratory assistant has him completely love struck at the end of a “Roll in the Hay” and Frau Blucher (Rowena Croston-Clegg), who has a name that scares horses, the housekeeper and former lover of Frankenstein. These three were all equally matched and like everyone else in the cast delivered some excellent vocals and characters that were perfectly matched to the story, displaying three different aspects of sexiness. They were a joy.

The Monster (Ben Woodward) with this larger-than-life creation had us laughing with him all the way and the finale is an absolute side splitter. The voice and movement, particularly the tap dancing, was perfect for this character and when he gained his voice what a good one it was.

Every group should have a Zac Sowter, Harold the Hermit, the short scene, (I feel it might get longer), with the Monster is an absolute high spot in this production as he blunders and ad libs his way through it just gets funnier.

The Ensemble, including Inspector Hans Kemp (Leo Oakley) are the icing on the cake as they dance, sing, smile and interact with the principals, they contribute fully to everything that is happening on the stage.

I am sure that if anyone sees this production and does not enjoy it, then there is something seriously wrong with them. Well Done Threshold Theatre Company.

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