I have a confession to make: I have never seen the film, and knew nothing of the story. I had no idea n fact that it was still so popular, or that it had been made into a stage musical. I was therefore attending with a blank canvas!
'Bedknobs And Broomsticks' on UK tour, is curently playing at The Palace Theatre in Manchester, and if you don't go and see this magical (in both senses of the word) show, then, quite simply, you are mad!
The show tells the story of three siblings from London who are orphaned in the Blitz of 1940, and are sent to the countyside for safety as so many of the capital's children (evacuees) were during the war years. They are sent to the fictional Pepperinge Eye, and live with the singular and strange Miss Eglantine Price, who, it turns out is a witch-in-training and although the training course is itself a scam, she finds she is actually able to perform spells. She has an all-consuming wish to use her magic for the good of humanity and to be able to cast a spell to allow inanimate objects to attack and destroy the dark forces that are attacking the country. This kickstarts a magical adventure in search of the spell, in which she and her three new young charges find themselves travelling through the skies on a bed, befriending the faker Mr Browne, visiting an underwater kingdom full of talking animals that hate humans, and finally banishing her demons in battle. The ending was, for me at least, a little strange, but maybe the film is the same. However, it was a very good ending.
The show tells the story of three siblings from London who are orphaned in the Blitz of 1940, and are sent to the countyside for safety as so many of the capital's children (evacuees) were during the war years. They are sent to the fictional Pepperinge Eye, and live with the singular and strange Miss Eglantine Price, who, it turns out is a witch-in-training and although the training course is itself a scam, she finds she is actually able to perform spells. She has an all-consuming wish to use her magic for the good of humanity and to be able to cast a spell to allow inanimate objects to attack and destroy the dark forces that are attacking the country. This kickstarts a magical adventure in search of the spell, in which she and her three new young charges find themselves travelling through the skies on a bed, befriending the faker Mr Browne, visiting an underwater kingdom full of talking animals that hate humans, and finally banishing her demons in battle. The ending was, for me at least, a little strange, but maybe the film is the same. However, it was a very good ending.
The music / songs are by Sherman and Sherman [and so I assume they are the same songs in the film], and the whole musical has a very retro-feel about it. It's a traditional book musical, and comparisons with Peter Pan, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Mary Poppins can't be overlooked. The songs are all lyrical, catchy and memorable, and it's a wonderful 'feel-good' story with a lovely moral tone. The stand-out feature of this stage show though simply has to be the illusions. The trickery used in this production to make broomsticks dash across the stage of their own volition, beds fly, and boots dance, to name just three of the highlights, was truly astounding. Not that these effects were in any way extraneous or simple marketing ploys - far from it, but were intrinsic and necessary to the plot and our understanding and enjoyment of the theatrical experience.
I aslo truly enjoyed all the wonderful puppetry of the show. Yes, stage hands in costumes and ensemble members were clearly seen handling the puppets - as well as moving the scenery into place all the time - it was directed thus and we bought into it completely, and it worked superbly. Very clever, incredibly slick, and never once were we confused by it all, despite the swiftness of the changes at times.
The lighting design was excellent and completely on point every time, as indeed was everything else about this truly amazing experience. The acting, singing and movement skills of all the cast, right from Dianne Pilkington's superb Miss Price down to the ensemble players who were a true ensemble in every sense. Of course the two small children must also get a mention. The cast for these two roles rotates and I am uncertain which of them were performing this evening - but both were utterly excellent; The role of Paul is taken by Dexter Barry, Haydn Court, Jasper Hawes and Aidan Oli; whilst the slightly older Carrie is portrayed by Evie Lightman, Poppy Houghton, Sapphire Hagan and Isabella Bucknell.
This truly is a show which will have you begging for more. The 160 minutes simply flew by, and no-one, not anyone, put a single foot wrong from start to finish. Children from 6 to 106 will be spellbound (pun intended) by this family-oriented, stellar production. The perfect antidote to the miserable late Autum weather and our coming out of Covid restrictions.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 20.10.21
The kids were played by Evie Lightman and Jasper Hawes :)
ReplyDeleteafter looking at the programme and their headshots I did think those were the two, so thanks for confirming ) - Matthew.
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