(AD – PRESS NIGHT) BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS REVIEW
HULL NEW THEATRE
TUESDAY 12TH APRIL @ 7.40PM
**** 4/5
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Disney musical so there’s a first time for everything. Bedknobs and Broomsticks is a beloved film but has only just been adapted for the stage. A long time coming, I say! Another press night at my local theatre (following last week’s Six visit) means a look at my Bedknobs and Broomsticks review of the UK tour!
PRE-SHOW THOUGHTS
As I said earlier, it’s a classic film. In fact, it’s one I remember watching with my grandparents as a kid on repeat because Fantasia scared me too much. Angela Lansbury is iconic in the role of Miss Price where she really makes you believe that magic is real. I had big expectations for this cast but also didn’t really know what to expect. With additional songs added to the stage show, I was hoping for a mixture of songs from the film as well as new ones.
THE CAST
Another show where the cast is the real highlight. We start off with the three children, Conor O’Hara (Charlie), Poppy Houghton (Carrie) and Jasper Hawes (Paul). O’Hara is the oldest of the three, with a twenty-something playing a teenager. He’s a commanding leading boy with a beautiful singing voice and stage presence that you can’t ignore. However, I got major Dick van Dyke in Mary Poppins from his Cockney accent. Other than that, he has a long career ahead of him as a leading man.
The other two children also played their parts perfectly. Houghton was soft and sweet but got more strong-willed as the show went on. Hawes was a scene stealer from the beginning and is as cute as a button. Both had lovely voices and I hope they continue in musical theatre.
Onto the adults with Dianne Pilkington playing Miss Eglantine Price and Charles Brunton as Mr Emelius Brown. Pilkington has such a warmth about her on stage and you can see the actors playig the children hang on her every word. Reading up on her credits shows she’s a stalwart on the theatre circuit but I’d love to see her even more shows! Her voice is sublime and crystal clear so her solos were breathtaking.
Brunton as Mr Brown was equally as charming with additional humour added in. It looks like he loves to play more comedic roles so he fits Mr Brown to a tee. He’s incredibly entertaining and he was definitely a crowd favourite. The chemistry between himself and Pilkington was lovely and subtle for a family show but you could tell the realtionship was genuine, along with that with the children too.
THE PRODUCTION
We have to start with the special effects of this show. Whilst I won’t spoil it, you’ll know if you’ve seen the film that the bed is integral to the storyline. And wow, it’s even more magical on stage! Seriously, this crew are insanely talented, from lighting to puppetry, from costuming to set design. Every single piece is required. There were a few stumbles with getting some pieces in place for specific scenes but it was very minimal.
Another special shout-out to the entire ensemble. They have to be triple threats in singing, dancing and acting but also act as prop movers and puppeteers, a skill I know is incredibly difficult. I once played a dwarf and had to wear a huge head over mine with two levers in my hands (one to move my mouth, the other for my eyelid). Having done that at age 11 in a panto, it’s only ten times harder in a professional production!
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Other than a few transitions that could’ve been smoother, you escape into another world (quite literally halfway through) and are transported into wartime Britain. People forget that despite it being a lovely family show/movie, it is set during the war. They don’t gloss over this as right from the beginning, you feel what it would be like to be evacuated and feel loss.
It’s another show where the cast really does shine and with a catchy soundtrack too, I’m hoping for a West End transfer later in the year or in 2023!
Have you seen the show yet? The remaining tour dates can be found here. If you enjoyed my Bedknobs and Broomsticks review, you can read my other theatre reviews here too. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram for more of my stagey trips!
