You need to know and probably love musicals to get the most out of this show. Anyone who dismisses musicals as a trivial art form would have their prejudices confirmed, but unless they had sat through a variety of shows then a lot of subtleties and gags would be lost.
The show is based on the premise that a common theme includes a bad landlord with designs on the girl, an at-risk heroine, an older confidante and a wimpish suitor of the girl who triumphs in the end. In five sections, the quartet move from Corn! (Rodger & Hammerstein), A Little Complex (Stephen Sondheim), Dear Abby! (Jerry Herman), and Aspects of JuMita (our own Andrew Lloyd Webber).
The clever lyrics test the range of the cast's singing abilities, but they are never found wanting.
Christopher Allen has the meatier of the male roles and is at his best as Jutter in the parody around the theme of Cabaret. Lucy Barnett as the various versions of Abby, the mother, aunt and friend, is cast in the role that gains less sympathy than the heroine but carries it off as the real trouper beloved of musical theatre. Charlotte Grace proves versatile throughout with her cover of Christine in the send up of Lloyd Webber's work a highlight. The hero is played convincingly by Dominic Brewer who rides to the rescue to provide the happy ending in all five sections of the show.
This production played to a receptive full house that enjoyed this entertaining send up.
Times: Aug 17-25 at 18:10