The Go-Between, Apollo Theatre

I am finally on top of my reviews. I feel so very pleased with myself. Off to London Friday night for two more shows so I am sure I will be behind again by the weekend as starting a new job on Monday also. On Tuesday 20^th September 2016 myself and Nanny Cora had booked to go see The Go-Between at The Apollo Theatre in the West End starring the magnificent Michael Crawford. We travelled down in the afternoon and Nanny Cora drove all the way to Cockfosters (on the M25) in her new automatic car, well done! We went for an Italian which was very nice and laughed about all the people around us, a woman who was rude, a man who was freezing, a strange little lady who was just strange, and all the usual things we get up to. We then strolled back over to The Apollo, a quaint little theatre on the most famous theatre street in the West End, Shaftsbury Avenue. The Apollo theatre is very tiny but adorable, it had the most fascinating ceiling which I thought was just gorgeous, a midnight scene, idyllic. We always end up sitting next to, behind or in front of the village weirdo, and this trip was no different. We had Snorty McSnorter behind us, not sure if he kept snoring or just snorting when laughing but it was very off putting and quite hilarious. Next to me we had a young gentleman who seemed to have a fake phallic shape thing in his hand that he clung to throughout the whole of Act 2; it was most distracting I have to say. Anyway we had a lovely time as always and despite a journey back that was filled with a 40-minute detour because of M25 road works we made it back all safe and sound.

The Go-Between is based on the novel by L P Hartley of the same name. I have to say I have not read the original book but I think I would very much enjoy it. It reminded me of a book I read during my English Literature A-level, ‘Spies’. The Go-Between is a nostalgic look back at a young lad’s three week holiday in Norfolk at a lovely stately home; close to the City of Norwich (me and Nanny Cora were very excited as we are from this area). Narrated by his older self, Leo looks back at how these three weeks would change his life forever and how he tried to forget but he just had to remember. He is interested in his friend Marcus’ older sister, Marian. He would do anything for her, including becoming a secret postman between her and her secret lover of a different class, Farmer Ted Burgess from the farm down the road (how funny he has the same surname as me). This secret love soon becomes problematic especially as her marriage has already been planned with someone of a more appropriate class. The story soon turns dark when things get out of hand and I do not want to spoil it for anyone any more than I need to. I absolutely loved the story; it was fresh and original and filled with themes of class and the past which I found thoroughly entertaining. The Go-Between has been adapted several times, which I would love to see, a recent film of 2015 starring Jim Broadbent, a 1971 film, a play, on the radio and now this musical adaptation. I am not sure how different the musical strays from the original book but I really enjoyed it.

Michael Crawford stars in this new musical, after returning to the West End after so many years. Crawford is a natural on the stage and it is a shame I never got to see him in his award winning roles as Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera or in Barnum (Nanny Cora was lucky enough to see him in both of these roles). The role of Colston, the narrator and older Leo looking back on his life, is very different to Barnum or Phantom, an old gentleman, Crawford doesn’t miss a thing in his acting, shaking, croaky voice, he was magnificent. Although his singing may not be as good as when he belted out the Music of the Night, he has certainly still got it in my opinion. His voice was lovely to hear and the passion and emotion he shares on stage was beautiful to see. It was an honour to have seen Michael Crawford on a West End stage. Crawford is possibly most notable for his character of blunder buster Frank Spencer in Some Mothers Do Ave Em, Me and Nanny Cora definitely saw a few Spencerisms throughout this performance and why not, he is a classic.

Marian is played by Gemma Sutton, who I recently saw in Gypsy (June). How wonderful to see this talented young lady again, and in a very different role. It showed off her diversity in acting and singing. She has a wonderful voice and a gift for acting. When she raised her voice the hairs stood up on end, it was frightfully real. Ted Burgess is played by Stuart Ward and although he had a nice singing voice and a gorgeous body to see in swim shorts (it was great how he jumped off the back of the stage and it looked as if he was diving) his Norfolk farmer’s accent needs a lot of work. Many people may not have picked up on this but when you are East Anglian born and bred you pick up on the subtitles of a farmer’s accent.  The two little stars of the show were Samuel Menhinick playing Marcus and especially Johnny Evans-Hutchinson who plays young Leo. Menhinick was funny and so energetic but it was Evans-Hutchinson’s performance that I fell in love with. He has been in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Les Miserable in the West End so he is no newbie, but his acting was great and his singing was emotionally adorable. He gave a great performance and he deserved the standing ovation.

The Go-Between, produced by Greene Light Stage and Bill Kenwright, has music and lyrics by Richard Taylor and book and lyrics by David Wood. Taylor’s music is heart-warming and so old British it was stunningly beautiful.  The choice to have one pianist on stage playing all the music for the 2 and a half hour performance was musical genius. It reminded me of being in a very posh champagne bar, I do not know the pianist’s name nor can I find it in the programme. If anyone knows and wishes to let me know please do so as he deserves some recognition, I loved it. The lyrics of Taylor and Wood were poetic. The Go-Between is not like a musical you will have seen or heard before. It reminded me of an operatic musical with the way the song lyrics tell and move the story on, although no one song sticks out unfortunately and there are words in between song. The score could be classed as samey but I felt this gave a constant to the performance. The way the music mixed with the words was poignant and definitely left me feeling emotional at the finale.

With direction from Roger Haines, Michael Pavelka is the designer and I loved the detailed simplicity of the set. With no more than a dozen chairs, an old chest and a piano with the Norfolk fields growing around them the scenery and set design was beautiful. It reminded me of Grandma’s Song in Billy Elliott as the cast move the chairs around the stage. It worked so well and this is why I say it was not like any musical you will have seen. There are no crazy set changes, new props every scene, but it works so well and adds to the chilly ending and the Downton Abbey – esque beginning.

The Go-Between, I do not feel, will live on as one of the best musicals of British history, but it definitely provided me with an evening of top class, professional entertainment and enabled me to see one of my favourite actors on stage, Michael Crawford. Although you may not leave the theatre singing and dancing as some West End performances leave you feeling, it certainly makes you think back to your childhood, remembering the innocence or not so innocent games and stories you played and said. It leaves you emotional and wanting more. It certainly has made me want to read the book anyway. The Go-Between is only at the Apollo until 15^th October this year so there isn’t long to see it. I doubt the tickets have sold out as we were moved forward and central by The Apollo (thank you!) and there were empty seats. It is a wonderful show and is definitely worth seeing, if only just to see Crawford. I would love to know how other people feel about The Go-Between if you have seen it; please get in touch on Twitter at AaronBurgess89.

The Pirates of Penzance, National G&S Opera Company

Again a long time in the writing but I hope well worth the wait. Following a lovely 1940’s themed party of my Nanny Cora’s 70^th Birthday, part of her birthday treat was a trip to Norwich, totally a surprise of course. The morning began with a beautiful three-course meal at The Assembly House in Norwich. We have always said we would go here and when better to go then for my Nanny’s 70^th birthday. It was a very posh experience and lovely food was consumed. The funniest part was the woman sat next to me on the adjacent table, who took the time it took us to eat our starter and main to get about half was through her chicken salad, poor woman. We will definitely be returning to The Assembly Room’s again, but this time I think for afternoon tea. I bought Nanny Cora tickets to see Pirates of Penzance, a classic Gilbert and Sullivan opera, this production being performed by the National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company at the Norwich Theatre Royal. I have always wanted to see Pirates because of the most famous song in it; I am the very model of a Modern Major General. I am not the biggest fan of opera and I stick firmly to what I know best, musicals, however it was a pleasant change and we both had a lovely time.

Pirates of Penzance tells the story of a group of pirates who come across a general and his many daughters, who they plan to run away with and marry, not at the lady’s will of course. When one of the pirates leaves the clan he falls in love with one of the lady’s; only to find out that he actually has to stay with the Pirate clan for another 30 years because he was born on the 29^th of February and is only technically aged 8. The premiere of Pirates was in 1879 in New York and for anything to last nearly 150 years I think is a triumph to the creators. I think the likes of Gilbert (Libretto) and Sullivan (music) will live on forever as it is so cleverly made and produced, and with the national opera company of their name other classics will continue live on.  

Pirates is a comic opera and it is very funny. You have to be very attuned to the operatic style of language to understand all the jokes and me being half deaf this was not the easiest thing for me to listen and laugh along to. The modern major general is of course the classic comedic role in Pirates. In this production he is played by Richard Gaunlett, no stranger to the Norwich stage being a grand performer in the pantomime and I very much look forward to seeing him again this year. Gauntlett gives a flawless performance as the major and to sing the classic song which is probably one of the hardest songs to remember and perform lyrically, he does a bloody amazing job. The other classic role in Pirates, Sergeant of Police, is played by Bruce Graham, who has appeared in 8 West End shows, including two of my Lloyd Webber favourites Cats and Phantom. The classic song from this character, when a felon’s not engaged, was so funny. The whole audience sang and chortled along and it was a really lovely experience. Ruth is played by Pauline Birchall, and I thought she had the most wonderful voice; it was lovely to listen to. I loved the Sisters of Mabel who were really really funny; Edith played by Fiona Mackay, Kate played by Katie Grosset and Isabel played by Alexandra Hazard.

Although this was not a West End extravaganza, it was very enjoyable to see. The staging is very basic but I think that the case for most operas, I may be wrong as I don’t see that many. Or maybe the national opera company like to stick to originalities and I am guessing budgets and staging in 1879 were not like they are today. Saying that the costumes were fantastic, especially the ladies chorus and there was some beautiful choreography. And to sing operatically and dance is not an easy feat, I sound like a dying cat even when I just twirl and flounce while trying to belt out ‘memory’. I cannot say if or when I will see an opera again. I certainly enjoyed Pirates although it is sometimes difficult to understand what is being said. I don’t think the national Gilbert and Sullivan opera company are on tour currently but there will certainly be performances on next year, there are DVDs available on the Gilbert and Sullivan opera company website and lots lots more for any G&S fans. If you get a chance to see them on tour go for it, I can only comment on Pirates of Penzance but I do not doubt others such as The Mikado, The Sorcerer and The Yeomen of the guard would be just as good. And if it has lasted since 1879 it can’t be that bad can it. Please get in touch on Twitter at AaronBurgess89.

Sister Act, Leeds Grand

The saying goes better late than never; well this is certainly the case for this review. I apologise it has taken me so long to get around to writing it. This will be a shorter review than normal as I have two more to write and by the time Saturday gets here I will have an additional two to add to the list; it’s been a very busy time in theatre land and everything else that has been going on. About four years ago, jokes, on 26^th August 2016 myself and one of my best friends Emma Notta went to Leeds Grand Theatre to see the touring production of Sister Act. This was not a typical night in Leeds as we had to get to Suffolk the next day to celebrate Mother’s birthday with a BBQ so there was no partying after the show like usual. We went down early and parked up, always entering Leeds a completely different way to the countless times we have been before which I always find hilarious. Finally we found the usual car park and had a couple drinks and tea at a well-known cheap and cheerful pub before strolling back to the theatre to see Sister Act.

Sister Act, a divine musical comedy, is of course based on the 1992 film of the same name, starring the fabulous Whoopi Goldberg. It tells the story of club night singer, Delores Van Cartier, who witnesses her lover kill off one of his men. Delores is rushed into hiding to protect herself so she can testify against this murderous villain. The best place to hide the inconspicuous is of course a nunnery and that is exactly where Delores becomes Sister Mary Clarence. Although Delores and the Mother Superior do not quite see eye to eye, Delores is a blessing in disguise and when she teaches the choir how to sing, not so typical church melodies that is, the church receives enough donations to keep afloat and some unlikely friendships blossom. Sister Act first arrived at the West End in 2009, before previewing in America but not New York. It arrived on Broadway two years later in 2011. A touring production in the UK started the same year and it has been produced countless times in many other countries. I had yet to see any of it but really wanted to especially when the music is composed by musical legend Alan Menken. Although nominated for four 2010 Olivier’s and five 2011 Tony’s, Sister Act failed to pick up a single award.  

This production of Sister Act stars Alexandra Burke, who has become a well-loved favourite of the stage of both mine and Emma’s. We first saw her at the Norwich Theatre Royal earlier in the year when she was starring in the touring production of the Bodyguard (AMAZING!). Although an average fan of her music before I never knew how talented she was live. Her vocals are so impressive and she really blasts out a tune. What I didn’t expect and you don’t see in the Bodyguard is Burke’s comedy streak. Me and Emma were in stitches, and not just on one occasion I hasten to add. The bit for me was when she first meets the sisters’ dressed in her habit and she is so funny how she meets and greets them, disco style. Really classic performance by Burke and I cannot wait to see her in something else, either touring or in the West End. It is very difficult to outshine a star like Burke, but the rest of the cast were great and you can tell they really enjoy themselves on that stage. Although I enjoy a cast playing instruments on stage this kind of felt a little forced at times and a little unnatural so not sure on this aspect of Sister Act. Eddie, the cop and love interest is played by Jon Robyns, Sister Mary Lazarus (Rosemary Ashe) is another classic comedic performance and her rapping is better than Kayne West and P Diddy in my opinion. Sister Mary Robert, the quiet and timid sister is portrayed by Sarah Goggin who has to belt out a tune in Act 2; Susannah Van Den Berg plays Sister Mary Patrick, the larger than life character who again brings the comedic value to the stage. Sandy Grigelis plays TJ, one of the cronies of Curtis (Aaron Lee Lambert), and he was adorable and stupid, playing TJ how he should be played.

The original score of Sister Act is fantastic and it was only a few days after the show I had to download this album and play it again to hear all those wonderful songs. I have listened to the album non-stop for nearly a month and I absolutely love it. And you can guess why it is addictive; Alan Menken writes the upbeat disco music with the lyrics of Glenn Slater; who had teamed in the past to compose the Broadway production of The Little Mermaid. My favourite song is ‘Fabulous, Baby!’ and its reprise which I have sung and sung and sung. Other Sister Act classics that keep you singing include ‘Take Me To Heaven’, ‘How I Got The Calling’, ‘When I Find My Baby’, ‘I Could Be That Guy’, ‘Raise Your Voice’, ‘Sunday Morning Fever’ (My favourite lyric being shake it like your Mary Magdalen (lol!), ‘The Life I Never Led’ and the fantastic finale ‘Spread The Love Around’. Honestly it is a fabulous score, you would never think it original and you can hear some of the songs in the film version but it was all original work by Slater and Menken. This production was directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood with musical supervisor and arranger Sarah Travis and set and costume design by Matthew Wright.

Sister Act is currently playing in Bristol and there are still chances to see this show in Milton Keynes, Glasgow, Liverpool, Ipswich, Belfast, Dublin, London (New Wimbledon), Cambridge, Brighton, Sheffield, Nottingham, Bradford, Wolverhampton, Northampton, Edinburgh and plenty of other places. The tour is due to run until 27^th August next year where it ends in Blackpool. Also I am aware that many amateur productions of Sister Act are gracing the stages around the country and I am sure this would be a lovely thing to see and hear. It is a feel good musical full of wonderful comedy and music and you will keep you singing for weeks after, I promise you. Please get in touch on Twitter at AaronBurgess89.

Rocky Horror Show at Norwich Theatre Royal

Last night (12^th September 2016) I took my Aunty Wendy to see The Rocky Horror Show at the Norwich Theatre Royal. Mother was supposed to come but couldn’t make it and I knew Aunty Wendy would thrust herself into the spirits of this cult musical. Wendy arrived at my parents’ house and was strapped into her corset; while I was upstairs finishing off my make-up and hoping to god I didn’t fall down the stairs in my 5-inch heels and break my neck. We had so much fun driving to the theatre, getting some funny looks on the dual carriageway by some reserved Norfolk folk was a particular highlight. We arrived in Norwich and walked to the theatre and started to panic; no one else was dressed up. I was now getting nervous despite a rioja to calm the nerves and give me confidence to walk around Norwich in day light in fish net stockings (like I needed the rioja to have an excuse to put some heels on). Well once we were in the theatre we realised there was lots of people dressed up, but not as many as I was expecting. Whether this being a weekday performance or just East Anglia being too cautious I do not know but I certainly had a fabulous evening. I am returning to the theatre on Friday evening to attend another performance of Rocky Horror (which will be my sixth time) with my sister Fern and then we intend to go to the special after party followed by a few bevvies in the city. I will not review this performance on Friday but keep a look out for photos, @AaronBurgess89.

As I have already mentioned I have seen Rocky Horror on a few occasions and reviewed this tour late last year when it was in Brighton. I will of course fully review the show as there have been some cast changes, but I think everyone knows how much I love Rocky Horror and therefore this is automatically a biased view; stick a load of people on stage in corsets, feather boas and heels, get them to sing and dance and make me laugh, well we are definitely onto a winner already. As always the audience participation in Rocky Horror is such fun, although I still need to try and learn some of the more famous audience one liners. I love how we the audience know really what the poor narrator is trying to diplomatically tell us. The audience erupt with laughter each time a witty theatre colleague (or just someone that has been far too much to see Rocky Horror) shouts out a rude comment; and me and Wendy were totally involved in this hilarity. This tour was produced in celebration of the 40^th anniversary of the Rocky Horror Show, with a special live recording being broadcast from London recently. I cannot believe this show has lasted 40 years, I remember watching the classic gothic, cult film from a young age and falling in love with the songs, costumes and at that time strange behaviour (which I now participate in). It certainly has entertained thousands if not millions of people in its 40 year reign and I have no doubt it will continue to entertain people for another 40 years (and then I can get my niblings to take me to the show).

I was expecting Diana Vickers to be in the role of Janet (who was great last time); so imagine my delight when I opened the programme to see Haley Flaherty in this role. I am a big fan of Flaherty’s, first seeing her in the role of Miss Honey in Matilda. I think we can safely say these two roles are very different in their presentations and approach and Haley smashes both of them; highlighting her great versatility on the stage. It is fab to have West End stars coming to the Theatre Royal in Norwich and I hope more come in the coming touring productions. Flaherty is a great Janet, her singing voice is phenomenal and I said to Wendy during her songs you don’t realise you’re seeing a touring production. Local Norfolk lad Richard Meek plays the role of Brad and I have not seen him before. Geeky yet sexy, Brad Majors requires an actor with skill to portray this lost soul as I always see him. Wendy loved his singing voice and I was not one to disagree; the song Once in a While, Brad’s solo song, was fantastic and I felt so sorry for little Brad Majors (or not so little the case may be). My other two favourite performances come from Kristian Lavercombe and Sophie Linder-Lee. Lavercombe has performed in Rocky Horror over a thousand times and he has gotten his role as Riff Raff nailed, I would love to see him as Frank. He has performed alongside the creator of Rocky Horror, Richard O’Brien, and I am sure O’Brien loves his own role being played by such a professional. Lavercombe has a wonderful singing voice and his acting as the humped servant is amazingly funny yet honest. Linder-Lee plays Columbia, the funny character of the entourage of the castle. She has some great lines and scenes in the whole show and Linder-Lee presents them on stage as if she has landed her dream job. I loved watching her dance, sing and have the audience in stitches.

Frank N Furter is played by Liam Tamne who I saw in the Brighton stop of this tour. I loved Tamne in the Brighton performance although I was not blown away this time round in Norwich. I am not sure if he is just ready for a new role as he has been playing the iconic transvestite for some time. Do not get me wrong Tamne has a wonderful voice and I have no doubt the audience loved him, but I have seen better Frank’s. Tamne was singing as if he was auditioning, seeming to put too much effort in. I have to admit I loved Steve Punt in the role of the narrator. The narrator has one of if not the most  hardest jobs on the stage during Rocky Horror as this character is usually the one heckled by the audience with funny comments, rude words and you never quite know what will be said by someone in that auditorium. He managed it well and was able to stick to the script, mostly, and keep a straight face. I would be the worst narrator ever as I would just want to laugh the whole time, but Punt brings his experience of comedy and stand up to this role and it works amazingly.  Paul Cattermole (S Club 7) plays Eddie/Dr Scott and the gorgeous and stunningly beautiful Dominic Anderson plays Rocky (who has the best costumes in the show).

Directed by Christopher Luscombe this Rocky Horror production cannot be missed. Whether you are a fan of the show or a newbie to this strange word of Transsexual, Transylvania you will love the songs, costumes and comedy this show brings and I thank Richard O’Brien immensely for bringing this classic to our stage and screen. The set of Rocky Horror always makes me laugh how it starts off like a panto, very fake scenery. I think this is one of its positives and not a criticism. Sue Blane created the costumes and how much fun getting to stick people in corsets, heels and giving them a feather boa to run around on stage with (choreographed of course by Nathan M Wright). Richard Hartley was the original musical arranger and this production sees Tony Castro as music supervisor and Ben Van Tienen as music director. I cannot list all the songs, but I don’t think there is one song I dislike in Rocky Horror. It is an eclectic soundtrack and something for everyone; even if you prefer the slow ballad, the racy sexual song or the fun up beat dancing one you will definitely be up dancing in those aisles and stalls when the Time Warp blasts out.

The current tour is at Norwich until Saturday 17^th September with performances at 7:30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and performances at 5:30pm and 8:30pm on the Friday and Saturday. This show is definitely worth seeing; I cannot shout about how much I love it but my sixth time seeing the show this Friday tells you that I love it. There is limited availability for the weekend performances so if you want to see this show at the Theatre Royal, Norwich you need to get your tickets quick. If anyone is going Friday you will see me in my fishnets and wig, come and say hello and have a drink. The show is continuing after Norwich for a brief period and you can catch it at: Eastbourne, Blackpool, Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sunderland, Cardiff and Oxford where I believe this current tour is due to close at the end of December 2016. However if you unfortunately miss this tour of the classic Rocky Horror Show I will hasten to guess another one will shortly be around the corner for us all to enjoy once again. Remember, Don’t Dream It, Be It, get in touch please on Twitter @AaronBurgess89.

That's Entertainment

Hello one and all. I am writing my blog review of That’s Entertainment which I saw with my Beez on 5^th September 2016 at the Norwich Theatre Royal. I have two other reviews to catch up on, Pirates of Penzance at NTR and also a couple of weeks ago I was able to watch Sister Act at The Grand in Leeds starring Alexandra Burke. I have been so busy with various work, social and family events I just haven’t, unfortunately, got around to writing them, so keep an eye out. The next couple of months are going to be so busy both in my private, occupational and musical capacities so you might need to bear with me to get things to you. After a very lovely but apprehensive day speaking at an animal assisted therapy conference and networking day I arrived in Norwich a bit hot and sweaty to meet my Beez. But we had a lovely catch up over a pasta, wine and lemonade as last time we met I basically slept most of the time haha (we filmed Say Yes To The Dress and I had a gammy eye, so keep an eye out for me on the TV guys).

That’s Entertainment is a night of celebration and tribute to some of the biggest names in music and musical theatre from the 1940’s and 50’s as well as the Hollywood Musical. With hats off and honouring such talents as one of my favourite partnerships Rodgers and Hammerstein (mainly Carousel and South Pacific, shame there was no Sound of Music songs), George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and Lerner and Loewe. The show includes some of the most wonderful music including The Trolley Song, Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair, There Is Nothing Like A Dame, Carousel Waltz, You’ll Never Walk Alone, Luck Be A Lady and Candyman. Not in the song list, Ruthie Henshall performed All That Jazz from Chicago and Some People from Gypsy which was amazingly musical and a right treat to see. There are so many song tributes I cannot write them all here although I do think a section was missing around the London Cockney songs and performances or did I totally miss and cannot remember it?

The tour has been joined by some special guests at each venue and Norwich Theatre Royal is doubly lucky having The Overtones and one of musical theatre’s pride and joy, the aforementioned Ruthie Henshall, who stays close to home performing in Norwich. Henshall is a multi-award winning actress and singer, being nominated 5 times for an Olivier, winning the 1994 Best Actress award in the revival of She Loves Me and has starred in some of the biggest shows in the West End and Broadway (including my favourite, Cats as many of the wonderful female feline characters including Grizabella). Recently Henshall has been performing as Mrs Wilkinson in Billy Elliot before it’s close and recording the live version that was streamed across cinemas all over the nation. Ruthie was fabulous in That’s Entertainment, although it would have been nice to see her in both Acts. We only saw Henshall in Act 2, stating she had forgot about a Monday evening performance and dashing up the A140 on a single carriageway meant she missed the first Act – is this true? The overtones for those that are not aware are a vocal harmony group, usually 5 of them; however this performance only saw 4 of them. I have to be honest I have not heard much from them before and I am not the biggest male vocal harmony group fan. However I have to say I was pleasantly impressed with the tones and vocals I heard from them, especially Darren from the group, me and Beez couldn’t keep our eyes off him (then we found out he is married, which ruined the evening J). The only cringe thing was the dated choreography of the Overtones; was this purposeful for the 40’s and 50’s or just dad dancing.

Other guests on the tour have included Jane McDonald and Elaine Smith. When these are not on stage the cast are formed by four main guys and gals and 8 chorus members. I have to say the lady leads (excluding Henshall of course) did not blow me away and cannot really remember their performances. However both the male leads, Simon Schofield and especially Sean Smith (known for appearing as duo Same Difference in the 4^th season of the X factor finishing third), were fabulous and had amazing voices; would have been quite happy to listen to these guys singing again and hopefully will see them in a West End or touring musical soon as I really enjoyed their singing and stage presence.

The lighting is fabulous (Martin Perkins), despite a couple of lights going out in the show and really gives that Hollywood, Broadway, capital city vibe; with the lights circling the stage. The set design is great starting off with the Broadway billboards and theatre signs. The stage is complimented by an array of wonderful, musical, glitzy and glamourous costumes (although me Beez was not happy when she saw one of the feather dresses having a tear– she’s more critical than me honestly J). I have to say Innis King’s and Emma Rogers’ choreography is great for the main cast of That’s Entertainment, I love a bit of tap dancing and this was tappingly wonderful, I love the sound it creates which echoes around the auditorium.

That’s Entertainment is at Norwich Theatre Royal until Saturday 10^th September, with daily evening performances at 7:30pm and a 2:30pm matinee tomorrow (7^th) and Saturday. It’s a feel good evening (or day), especially if you’re a musical fan and you love some classic artists and songs and a show full of wonderful costumes and lovely tap dance. The show is very interactive and I was certainly clapping and singing along to many of the songs and dancing in my seat, apologise to the people sat behind me. I agree with Judy Foster of the NTR that this is a wonderful show with glorious costumes, fabulous dancing and wonderful music as she said in the original press release. And I do believe that this is the last stop of the tour so make sure you get to see it and support local lass Ruthie. Please get in touch at +Aaron Burgess or on Twitter @AaronBurgess89