The Producers
Lincoln Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society
Lincoln Performing Arts Centre
University of Lincoln
28 June - 2 July 2022
The Producers first saw the light in 1967, when Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel performed in Me Brookes' zany comedy satirising the industry on Broadway. IT was a huge hit and achieved a second life when it was revived as a stage musical, with music and lyrics by Brookes himself, and a book by Brookes an Thomas Meehan. It ran on Broadway and toured the USA before being turned into a multi-million dollar film starring Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick and Uma Thurman.
It is a smart choice for LAODS to bring this musical to the stage. It very much plays to their strengths as a company producing newer, vibrant musical theatre with a relatively young company. Slickly directed by Steve Gillard, assisted by Laura Turner, this witty and charming production boasts a fantastic orchestra under the musical direction of David Williams. The choreography by Ruth Perry is rich and reminiscent of the old school musical spectaculars it parodies, with a more than a flourish of the spectacular showgirls of Paris, along the way.
No fan of the movies will be disappointed by this lavish production. The set and the costuming are absolutely fantastic but are mere icing on the cake. It is the on-stage talent that is so impressive in this production. A cast of 28, many of whose unsung heroes lie within the ensemble, multi-role within the show to great effect. They bring animation, energy and enthusiasm with soaring vocal harmonies and extremely well-delivered choreography which will, undoubtedly, improve still as the shows finds its feet during its run. The ensemble help to bring the scale needed to this production reminding us of the bygone days of Busby Berkley and Hollywood glamour. Steve Gillard and Ruth Penny have created a rich, visual feast in this show and audiences will love it.
Matt Waldeck as Carmen Ghia, gives a memorable cameo performance as a busy, fussy PA to the World's worst director Roger de Bris, played with aplomb by Simon Nicholson. The pair have terrific chemistry and their timing is wonderful. Nicholson in particular has a rich,warm vocal despite the deliberate ham-iness of the performance and his louche Hitler is a joy to watch.
Stealing the scene every time he appears, is Lyndon Warnsby as Franz Liebkind. He delivers an intensely manic, comic performance that demonstrates a willingness to throw himself into the insanity and absolutely understands his brief. His Nazi-sympathising playwright is hilarious.
Swedish sex-bomb Ulla, is brought to the stage by Nicola Calver and yet again, it proves to be inspired casting. Her comic timing and delivery is impeccable and she is no slouch in the dance department either. She throws herself into her role with a reckless abandon, really enjoying the experience, bringing glamour to the show and leading producer Leo Bloom astray with her predatory seduction as he clings to his blue blanket early on.
Andy Morris gives us a truly passionate but naive Leo Bloom, a man with so much insecurity and lacking confidence or self-belief, a stunning contrast to his turn as the staggeringly brash dentist in LAODS' production of Little Shop of Horrors. To see Bloom's vulnerability realised so well, as he agonises over his dream to become a producer, serves as the perfect contrast to his partner Max Bialystock. Morris's comic turn is eclipsed by his vocal ability and he eve manages to provide a traditional top hat and cane routine during "I Wanna Be a Producer", which was one of my favourite routines within the show.
Jordan Shiel absolutely nails the role of the scheming, fraudulent producer Max Bialystock. As with Morris, the comic timing is excellent and again his rich vocal is perfect for the role. From the first moment he appears on stage, we know not to trust the World's worst producer and to see him "schtupp" little old ladies in order to defraud them of their life savings is both outrageous and ridiculous, but joyously funny. Shiel teaches musical theatre at the University and it is unsurprising once you see his consummate performance as Max. It is clearly not a case of, "Those who can do and those who can't teach".
Morris and Shiel bring such energy to their respective roles and shine in this production playing off each other's characters' insecurities and never putting a foot wrong. This production is an absolute pleasure to watch from start to finish. Everyone of the cast (and crew) play their part in making this show successful and it shows.
The big numbers such as the dancing old ladies in "Along Came Bialy" or the goose-stepping Nazis in "Springtime For Hitler" will live long in my memory. Everyone involved in this production delivers and no-one who sees the show will leave feeling that they have been cheated a la Bialystock & Bloom. The Producers is an exciting production with exceptional talent on display. It is a 100% must-see show. You won't be sorry.
The Producers runs from Tuesday 28 June - Saturday 2nd July and tickets are available from http://www.laods.co.uk/pre-book.html
Andy Evans
28 June 2022
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