BWW Reviews: BETTY BLUE EYES, Old Rep Theatre Birmingham, March 19 2015

Birmingham Ormiston Academy (or BOA as it is fondly known) may already be on your radar but if it isn't, you won't escape it for much longer. The performing arts academy for 14-19 year olds is an independent state-run establishment and was modelled on the very successful Brit School in London. In general, BWW:UK would not cover many non-professional productions but having been granted an exclusive license by Cameron Mackintosh to produce Betty Blue Eyes, an exception has been made. Performed by the Year 13's musical theatre pathway and supported by the Production Arts students in a technical capacity, the show also boasts a professional creative team whom the students can learn a myriad of skills from.

Betty Blue Eyes is based on the 1984 film 'A Private Function' whereby the people of Shepardsford in Yorkshire are struggling to adapt to life after the Second World War. With all of the ration cuts and many citizens failing to make ends meet, it is a dismal time and the only thing to look forward to is the impending marriage of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. For the occasion, a stolen and unlicensed pig is being reared to provide a feast for the celebratory banquet; a pig affectionately named 'Betty'. Gilbert and Joyce Chilvers (Bradley Walwyn and Patricia Wilkins) are the protagonists of the piece and are trying to make a name for themselves as newcomers to the village. Much hilarity unfolds and the story is also very moving in part.

This musical was Cameron Mackintosh's first new musical in ten years when it debuted in 2011, most likely happy to take a risk alongside George Stiles and Anthony Drewe's music and lyrics which are inspired and fit the character of the piece perfectly. The book by Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman is witty and incredibly entertaining; this said it needs excellent comic timing from the cast which the performers nailed. Director Alastair Knights had a challenge with the 34-strong company on the Old Rep Theatre stage but the space was used expertly, particularly during Lee Crowley's superb choreography - a personal favourite was the 'bagography' during 'It's An Ill Wind' featuring some sublime vocals from Grace Wheatley. Stiles and Drewe's score is in safe hands with musical director Rob Bannon who has done incredible vocal work with the cast; the harmonies during 'Magic Fingers' and 'A Private Function' were spot on. Walwyn and Wilkins are perfectly cast as chiropodist Gilbert and his sassy wife, Joyce. Wilkins had me agog on many an occasion, she is an all-rounder with staggering vocals, flawless comic timing and just oozes class throughout - she will have a long career if she decides to pursue it. Her performance of 'Nobody' was tremendous. Other memorable performances came from the hilarious Hannah Codner as Mother Dear, Alex Cardall as Dr Swabay and Matthew Nicholas as Mr Alardyce. Also how can I forget Jemma Carlton who is the puppeteer for Betty. She has a difficult job of acting through the pig as it were and was a delight to watch. As an ensemble, the company did extremely well.

Technically, the show could have been a little smoother and given a bit more time, it could have been. Alex Johnson provides us with some visually stunning images - occasionally a little more face light or actors moving into their light more could be desired. In conjunction with this, the cueing from the DSM could have been slicker. As a trained DSM myself and having worked with Johnson in the past, you really need to feel the cues especially during musical numbers. There also seemed to be a problem with the flying of the red house curtain but for students who are learning their craft, how better to learn than on-the-job training as it were. There were also a fair few mic pick-ups that were late but for a first night, this can be forgiven. They have accomplished a lot in a short space of time and this needs to be commended.

As a whole, Betty Blue Eyes is a thoroughly enjoyable production with 100% attack and commitment from all involved. It was a pleasure to watch and I look forward to their next musical in a few weeks' time.

Betty Blue Eyes plays at the Old Rep Theatre in Birmingham until Saturday 21st March 2015.

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