Review: SHOW BOAT, Sheffield, Dec 16 2015

When Daniel Evans first took the helm as the artistic director of Sheffield Theatres, one of the first things he did was to resurrect the annual Crucible musical and make it such a big event that it is renowned not only locally, but nationally, as one of the highlights of the theatre year. With the recent announcement to that Evans is due to move on from Sheffield in the summer to go to Chichester Festival Theatre, Show Boat marks his final Crucible musical in the director's role - and it's a good one.

Whilst this musical may not be quite as showy as last year's Anything Goes nor, perhaps, as familiar as previous musicals like Oliver! and My Fair Lady, it excels at getting the most out of its talented ensemble cast and carrying the audience along, as if we were passengers being entertained on the boat.

The showboat itself is beautifully realised, ornate yet slightly crumbling and operating on multiple levels - front stage, back stage, balcony and decking. It's the standout piece of design in Lez Brotherston's set, and really places you in the scene. Alistair David is on choreography duty once more, and infuses this production with the energy that he is known for bringing to big productions.

All of the performers are excellent, and do a fantastic job of sounding, appearing and moving differently in the second act as their characters all age without coming across as just doing an impersonation of old age - no mean feat. It's hard to single out performers when everyone, including the large ensemble, does a good job, but Sandra Marvin as Queenie has a real gem of a part, and laps up every moment, bringing the woman to life as vivacious, charming, caring and solid. Her husband Joe is played by Emmanuel Kojo, who has one of the most beautiful voices I've heard in some time and his renditions of 'Ol' Man River', both as a young man and an elderly man are quite something-and each slightly different in the way he fills them with the emotion of a young man working in an oppressive culture firstly and with the nostalgia, wistfulness and love of an old man reflecting on his life. Gina Beck offers us a sweet and determined Magnolia, whilst Lucy Briers ensures that Parthy is not a one note harridan, but a loving, often scared, wife and mother.

The live orchestra (with musical director David White's hands sometimes visible from under the stage conducting proceedings) are on great form, infusing the songs with a richness and depth.

This is an incredibly well constructed production of this musical, with a strong sense of heart in every aspect, from lighting and sound to dancing and singing. As (kind of) swansongs go, Daniel Evans leaves on a high. Whilst it's exciting to see who will take over at Sheffield and to see what Evans will bring to Chichester, he has achieved something really special in his seven years at Sheffield Theatres, and he's going to be a difficult act to follow.

Showboat is at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield until January 23

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