COLIN HOLMES ON MUSICALS 5.

GREASE.5.

This what as known as product. Something put into the West End in the hope that it's familiarity will tempt people into the theatre.This particular production was instigated by an ITV reality show on the lines of Andrew LLoyd Webber's BBC show but wasn't quite as popular. The resulting format opened to good business. Who hasn't seen this show or the film? It has two new songs from the film added which are hardly fifties music (The show has a late fifties setting) in fact "Grease" and "You're the one that I want" are more seventies disco. It changes the leads regularly hoping to attract new audiences. It is a revival of a revival. It is product

DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS.4.

Inspired by a CD named D@Petticoats reviving late fifties and early sixties pop songs. More product.

AVENUE Q.6.

Deliciously satirical with adult themes owing much to Sesame Street this show has run for five years showing it's word and mouth popularity. Actors are seen working the puppets a la Lion King but this is a today musical showcasing real people. Pleasant music and very entertaining but falls short of the word Musical more Revue.

BLOOD BROTHERS.7.

A couple of well known ballads "Tell me it's not true" and "Easy Terms" hold this show together as a musical but that's not the point. Always well acted the two times I have seen it, the show has a strong emotional story that takes the audience along with it to it's heartrending conclusion.
A great night in the theatre but if only it had more great songs it would have been a 9 score. If youhavn't seen it you won't be dissapointed.

DIRTY DANCING.4.

The film's a whole lot better!

THE LION KING 8.

Sumptuous opening to an inspiring family show. It gets hold of you straight away and carries you through to the end. Amazingly not distracting with actors and singers puppetering the animals who are the main characters and because of the beautiful presentation of the scenery I found the whole thing irristably charming. Children love the show and are completely entranced the whole evening. Adults could slip a look at their watches when some repetition occurs in places but otherwise a lot to enjoy.


OLIVER!9.

This show has been revived many times and always manages to come up fresh every time. Lionel Barts best musical with his best songs and an intigueing web of story scaled down from the novel for musical show audiences. A different Fagin has appeared in all revivals giving the show a different slant and with this latest production Fagins are changed every few months.The scenery is applause making, the songs are applause making, the characters are intrigueing......What more do you want ?......Oh yes and the children are good too!