Dressing Rooms. Louth Playgoers, Riverhead Theatre, 25 June 2025.

It is not often that I get to see a brand-new British musical performed in its entirety before anyone else, but tonight I had the privilege of seeing Dressing Rooms by Jed Spittle at the Riverhead Theatre. The show is, I must stress a work-in-progress and that is not to denigrate it in any way, but audiences may not be aware of just how many iterations their favourite musical went through before it became the show they adore so much. Dressing Rooms is the winner of the Riverhead Theatre’s Scratch Night 2024 and has been developed from an excerpt into a full- length show and it will continue to develop after it’s run this week.

It is a clever take on the traditional backstage musical genre, where the audience sess the machinations of a showbiz story off-stage rather than on. This show is clearly a labour of love for writer, director, composer, lyricist and performer - Jed Spittle and as such, we can tell that Spittle is a devotee of a certain musical genre and that shines through in his own work. Spittle’s work here is highly reminiscent of the work of the late, great musical genius Stephen Sondheim. As a Sondheim fan myself, I really appreciated the nods and tributes in this show which is truly inspired by the great man himself.

The music in this show is stunning. I thought that a number of songs truly deserve the descriptor “beautiful”. The poignant, lilting and soaring tunefulness led me to ask if there is a CD available to the audience, as I would love to own a copy. Sadly, that is a little further down the line, but once it arrives I will demand Mr Spittle remembers to sell me one! Almost from the outset, well the second song, “Lovely Lady”, I was hooked. I really enjoyed “Falling Helplessly(I’m in Love)”, “Dressing Rooms” and Unprecedented Times”.

As with any new work, it can be a struggle to find a willing cast and surprisingly, Spittle ended up casting himself in order to fill out the cast, it was never intended as a vehicle for himself as a performer. Despite this fact, the cast is so good and so well-suited to the show.

As Clare Malone, Sophie Brown absolutely shines and is given some wonderful moments within the show and demonstrates an incredible vocal range, presenting the emotional songs that end the show with such dynamism and class and never misses a beat in her performance. Clare’s journey has its ups and downs, as she becomes a star via the understudy route and is nominated for an Olivier Award all whilst her life undergoes considerable upheaval. She finishes the show on a real high as she performs “Who are you/Walkaway/Fly”.

Not to be outdone, Clare’s best friend and fellow performer is Alex Graham, played by Natasha Connor. Connor’s vocals are equally spectacular. There is a certain quality in her voice that reminds me of the likes of Dusty Springfield or Cilla at the peak of their powers in the 1960s, her delivery really is remarkable. Jed Spittle is truly blessed to have two such dextrous vocalists that effortlessly soar as they sing and lace the words with emotion every time. It is clear from very early on that Alex is in love with her best friend and the pathos that Connor brings is at times quite heartbreaking and yet she really does leave us with “Sweet Memories” after such a winning performance.

As Clare’s mother, Sheila, Louise Ray delivers a memorable performance. She is described as being Mama Rose from Gypsy on steroids (or something similar) but that is unfair, Sheila is a nuanced character who shares Rose’s desire and drive for her daughter, but there is a far more supportive and likeable quality beyond that initial impression, and we see it thanks to Ray’s subtle and winning performance. Sheila does not work alone, her husband and Clare’s father, Ted, is also integral but we see from Ray a performance that shows he too is under her spell. The duet they perform “An Olivier” is a treat and where Sheila most closely resembles Mama Rose.

The quiet and unassuming Ted is the rock that supports the Malone family and allows Sheila her dreams and indulges her excesses to a degree, but he is very much his own man, successful in business and a wise head that offers advice willingly to his son-in-law. Gary Starkie imbues Ted with a stoic quality, and he is there as the emotional rock when Clare really needs him. As always, Starkie brings a strong presence to the stage and his rich vocals wash over the audience. He really handles the humour in “The Kids of Today” superbly and copes admirably when the lyrics get a little testing.

The final cast member is Jed Spittle himself, playing Bill Taylor a theatrical producer who marries a young actress in what seems to be something of a May to December-style romance. He often cuts quite a tragic figure within the play as he witnesses his wife’s rise to stardom and the drift apart that opens up the cracks within such a relationship. And yet, Bill is a decent man who really loves Clare, and it only becomes truly apparent to the couple when they are forced apart and Bill pens a letter to his wife which reminds her of why they fell in love and married in the first place. I enjoyed Bill’s first song, “Clare” a great deal and really liked some of the wordplay within his duet with Clare on “Unprecedented Times”.

The play does have some issues with pacing and is clearly still developing even as it comes to the stage. I really began to engage with the drama in the second act though, when the framing of the COVID pandemic rears its head and takes centre stage. That brought with it raised stakes and some bold directorial choices that see the space being used in a way I have never seen before. The action does tend to move a little too swiftly for me throughout, but that is to do with personal taste. I am pretty sure that audiences will be able to follow the well-developed story and will fall in love with the songs.

Tickets for this production are selling fast and I recommend that people contact the box office sooner rather than later as they will want to be able to say that they saw this musical in its formative stages. A trip to see Dressing Rooms will be time and money well spent.

Andy Evans 25 June 2025

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