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27th–31st March 2012
Directed by Stephen Duckham, with musical direction by
Matt Flint and choreography by Nikki Shurvinton.
Fresh ideas in a wonderful production
Prohibition America and the thoroughly modern
girls such as Millie are cutting their hair,
flapping, showing their ankles – and knees!
– drinking to excess in the speakeasies and
having a whale of a time.
You wouldn’t guess that alcohol was illegal.
New York is the centre of a whirlwind of modernism
and Millie (Sue Randall) is drawn there from
Kansas to seek her fortune. Her grand plan is
actually to seek someone else’s fortune
– she plans to marry her boss. Oops! Boss
Trevor Graydon (David Kilgour) falls for sweet and
old-fashioned Miss Dorothy (Imogen Parker). Miss
Dorothy is extremely pretty and orphaned, so at
the mercy of Mrs Meers’ (Wendy Morris) white
slavery scam. Millie’s plan is a goner as
she falls for penniless chancer Jimmy (Sam
Henshaw).
There is so much in this production to recommend
it – the sets, choreography, costumes and
music are first rate. Troublesome technology added
some hiccups, which was a shame because these
fresh ideas – particularly the screens that
offered translations from Chinese – were
what raised it well above the bar.
My favourite sections were where Millie gets a job
as a stenographer at the Sincere Trust and also
Miss Dorothy and Mr Graydon’s wonderful song
Falling in Love.
There are some wonderful performances here but for
me, Miss Dorothy and Jimmy were the ones to watch.
They have gorgeous voices coupled with elegance
and wit – very nice to watch and a dream to
listen to. Thank you – it made a wonderful
evening out. Highly recommended.
Jane Howard, Leamington Courier
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12th–16th April 2011
Directed by Judi Walton, with musical direction by
Gary Lewis and choreography by Nikki Shurvinton.
Stunning performances on a brilliant set
For a society celebrating its 90th birthday, the
Leamington and Warwick Musical Society serve up a
wonderfully fresh, enthralling, engaging and
energetic production.
Fiddler on the Roof is one of those
musicals you think you know really well, and then
a new approach pulls you up short. For me, it was
the beauty of the music and the stunning choral
performances from the whole company. Top that off
with a great story, brilliant set and some great
performances.
Home is Anatevka, a poor Russian village on the
eve of the first Russian revolution and the
pogroms where Tevye (Steve Smith) is trying to
keep a lid on revolution in the family. His five
daughters have minds of their own and are not
going to follow the traditions of their Jewish
faith and culture. His eldest daughter, Tzeitel,
(Rohanna MacGregor) is promised to marry the
butcher Lazar Wolf (Graham Shurvinton) but she
wants the tailor, Motel (Simon Lucas).
Tzeitel’s bold action frees her sisters from
arranged marriages. Tevye’s wife Golda
(Kathy Evans) provides solid support during their
many crises.
It is not unrelenting gloom – there is, as
you’d expect, a rich dollop of humour.
I’d never noticed the wonderful line from
Tevye, “If we are God&rsquo’s chosen
people, could he choose someone else for a
change?”
This musical is hard work for Tevye who acts as
narrator as well as the central character and
Steve Smith delivers a top-notch performance. Why
Fiddler on the Roof? Because they try to make
sweet music while precariously perched.
Jane Howard, Leamington Courier
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23rd–27th March 2010
Directed by Judi Walton, with musical direction by
Gary Lewis and choreography by Nikki Shurvinton.
A Wonderful, Wonderful show which goes the
extra mile
It may have been cold and gloomy outside but
colourful sets, bright costumes and feel-good
music transformed the theatre setting into that of
a sunny American town.
There was little sign of opening night nerves as
the well-rehearsed cast told the story of seven
farmer brothers as they looked for wives in a
nearby town.
Darren Love was stern and funny as head of the
family Adam Pontipee, who met his match when he
went into town to find a wife to help him look
after his six siblings.
And Leanne Willetts was fantastic as feisty Milly,
who accepts his proposal and is determined to turn
all the brothers into marriage material.
Funny and touching, the play featured catchy songs
including Bless Your Beautiful Hide, Love Never
Goes Away and Wonderful, Wonderful Day – and
better still there wasn’t a ropey southern
accent in sight.
The musical was well choreographed and I
particularly enjoyed the sequence where Milly
taught the six brothers to dance over breakfast in
the farmhouse.
I have noticed from previous productions that
members always go the extra mile to make their
shows believable and this was no exception as the
actors mastered several dances with a range of
tricky moves and lifts.
They looked like they were really enjoying
the performance and the brilliant sets made the
show look every inch like a professional
production.
Sara Fenton, Leamington Courier
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31st March – 4th April 2009
“Barnum’s the name, P. T. Barnum, and
I want to tell you that tonight on this very stage
you are going to see bar-none...”
The award-winning musical traces the life of
America’s great nineteenth century showman.
A cavalcade of colour and circus atmosphere was
provided by brilliant costumes, a stunning set,
great songs and a cast displaying a huge range of
skills including juggling, unicycling, tightrope
walking and much more.
Barnum played to enthusiastic audiences at the
Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, from Tuesday
31st March until Saturday 4th April 2009.
The show was directed by Steve Boden, with
choreography by Nikki Shurvinton and musical
direction by Claire Tyler.
Music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Michael Stewart;
book by Mark Bramble.
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On a cold April night, there are few better ways
to warm the cockles than this zesty old-school
musical. Annie Get Your Gun by Irving
Berlin was one of the classic Broadway musicals of
the 1940s and tells the tale of sharpshooter Annie
Oakley and her romance with rival Frank Butler.
Leamington & Warwick Musical Society are
putting on the new version, directed by Stephen
Duckham, which is wonderfully sharp, upbeat and
uplifting. All the cast are fantastic but Kate
Squires shines as Annie and has a real onstage
chemistry with Co-star Michael Coad, who captures
Frank’s dashing charm and energy to
perfection.
In the first act, the cheerful number Doin’ What
Comes Natur’lly, which Squires sings with three
young cast members, stood out, as did slow song
Moonshine Lullaby, sung by male cast members. In
the second act, memorable songs were An Old
Fashioned Wedding and Anything You Can Do, sung
during a competition between Annie and Frank to
determine who is the best at shooting. With
colourful sets and costumes, lively choreography
and memorable performances, this is vibrant
theatre at its best.
Worth watching.
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17th–21st April 2007
They do say you should never work with animals or
children but thankfully the latter proved
unfounded as the Leamington and Warwick Musical
Society delivered their impressive version of
The King and I.
The King of Siam’s many offspring scuttled
across the beautifully designed stage in front of
a packed house on Tuesday night as the audience
was transported back to the 19th century.
Leading the strong and able cast through the
trials and tribulations of his kingdom was Roy
Donoghue in the role of the king. The actor
switched with ease in his display of the
sovereign’s many sides from defiance to
sensitivity as he broadened his horizons with the
help of Anna (Vicki Hollings).
Hollings also delivered an impressive performance
as the King’s governess from the west
– providing credible emotional and comedic
performances in equal measure. A humorous sketch
which involved the King demanding that Anna’s head
be lower than his at all times proved popular with
the audience – as, particularly in heels,
Hollings towered above Donoghue.
The leading pair were supported by an array of
royal wives and children, Amazons, slaves, guards
and priests, which made for a delightful
spectacle.
Special mention must be made of the scenery for
the show – simple, yet effective, the sets
provided backdrops as diverse as the royal palace
and the forest at night.
The costumes were also amazing – multiple
changes for the principals and a colourful
collection of outfits for those supporting. Both
the scenery and costumes added to the overall feel
of the show.
Strong acting and singing performances combined
with impressive costumes and setting resulted in a
good night of family entertainment.
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16th–20th January 2007
LWMS scored another resounding success with the
stage musical based on the phenomenal British
comedy film.
All the characters, the laughter and the
tenderness of the film the whole world fell in
love with comes to life in this triumphant stage
musical.
“Heart, humour & terrific songs,
The Full Monty is a wonderfully
welcome reminder of musical comedy at its best".
– Daily Telegraph
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5th–8th April 2006
A red double-decker London transport bus ventured
out of the capital to make a guest appearance in
the Leamington and Warwick Musical Society’s
pleasing adaptation of Summer Holiday
at the Spa Centre.
Catchy songs including, of course, Summer Holiday,
Bachelor Boy and The Young Ones proved popular
with the audience – many of whom were singing and
some even got off their seats – be it with a
little persuasion from members of the cast.
A fun-filled performance – thoroughly recommended.
8/10
Review by Emma Stone
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5th–9th April 2005
Review by Ray and Marianne Howes, Leamington
Courier:
The opening night of Crazy For You
was another fine production by the Leamington and
Warwick Musical Society and was a great success.
The music was written by George and Ira Gerswhin
over 70 years ago and many of the tunes –
Embraceable You, I Got Rhythm, Someone To Watch
Over Me – were well known to us. This together
with a good storyline produced a musical of high
quality.
The two leading roles were played by Ken Robinson
as Bobby Child and Sue Randall as Polly Baker.
Their all round performances were outstanding,
their acting, singing and dancing were top quality
and they were well supported by the remainder of
the cast, particularly Steve Smith as Bella
Zander, Alec Brown as Lank Hawkins and Tabitha
Bradburn as Bobby’s fiancee Irena.
Wendy Morris and Trevor McClay provided some
hilarious moments as Patricia and Eugene Fodor, a
very ‘English’ couple who turn up in
Dreadrock to review Lank’s saloon.
The show contained some exceptional dance
routines, particularly the tap dancing, and was
supported by a first class orchestra, lighting and
sound.
Praise should be given to Stephen Duckham, the
director, Richard Taggart, musical director, and
Wendy McClay, choreographer.
If you enjoy a good musical, with plenty of tap
routines, then this is the show for you.
It is a production not to be missed.
9/10
Review by Annette Kinsella:
High energy, toetapping feel-good fun with more
twists than spaghetti junction – that’s
Crazy For You.
The Gershwin-composed musical, based on the
traditonal guy-meets-girl, guy-loses-girl,
guy-gets-girl-back formula, was performed by a
cast of talented all-rounders which would have put
many professional companies to shame. The entire
ensemble was note and step-perfect throughout the
show, despite staging some incredibly intricate
routines. The plot, revolving around mistaken
identities, slapstick and people who burst into
song at the drop of a hat, was pure schmaltz. But
the larger-than-life numbers and extraordinary
choreography injected sparkle into what could have
been a predictable story.
Nimble-toed Kenny Robinson, as male lead Bobby
Childs, wowed with his footwork, while Sue Randall
provided the perfect foil as country girl Polly.
However the unsung heroes were undoubtedly the
backstage technicians, who created an ingenious
set in which backdrops moved seamlessly during the
song and dance routines without the audience even
noticing.
Overall a slick and polished production –
you’d be crazy to miss it.
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LWMS presented this barrier-breaking musical in
April 2004, following its outstanding hit,
Copacabana. Jesus Christ
Superstar was a blockbuster success, with
some of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s
finest songs, including Gethsemene, Superstar and
I Don’t Know How to Love Him.
A strong cast and a cracking story of the last
seven days of Jesus of Nazareth, as seen through
the eyes of Judas, helped make this one of the
society’s most popular productions.
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