Reviews

Zealous Productions’ The Addams Family returned to the Regal Theatre for a short encore season. Featuring most of the ‘original’ cast, this production was possibly even more slick than its 2021 predecessor, and delighted its audiences.

From the time the book by Dickens was published in 1836, the story of Oliver’s life has been a topic of interest and was even more so once it appeared as a musical in 1960.  It has been revived so many times and, fortunately, we have this version today – thank goodness. Once again Oliver Twist – his full name – progresses from a home for the poor in The Midlands, to funeral home in London and then on to the streets with Fagin and his pick pocket gang. Of course his life does improve very slowly. Song, music and dance are added complement the acting roles.

This is a monster of a musical based on the myth and legend of one monster that was to be feared. That monster was an ogre and Shrek is such a monster.  Exiled as a youngster, he has been living alone in his swamp until he is invaded by a group of fairytale characters who have been exiled by the evil Lord Farquaad. Shrek goes to get things back to normal and makes friends with Donkey and meets Princess Fiona.  From then on through song mainly, Shrek teaches traits such acceptance, trust, love and belief which are so relevant to the modern audience.

It’s official. The Gold Coast has been conquered by the show with the weird name. How good is Come from Away, you ask? Well, imagine not one, not two or three, but FOUR standing ovations at the end of the opening night. And this was not a usual first night. Covid ravaged the cast, and the official opening had to be cancelled and moved to Saturday. Media and dignitaries had to be squeezed in with the Saturday night audience. We didn’t care. By the end of the evening, we all felt that we wanted to hug each other.