Strictly Musicality by Aldridge Musical Comedy Society at\nBrownhills Community College Theatre

Dec 5 2009 by Ben Hurst, Birmingham Mail

REVIEW

Strictly Musicality, Aldridge Musical Comedy Society

BROWNHILLS COMMUNITY COLLEGE THEATRE

A SPOT of divine intervention at just the right moment lifts this show after the cast limp through a rather disappointing first act.

Instead of their usual Christmas pantomime the society decided to have a change, singing hits from more than half a dozen musicals.

But the quality is variable until after the interval when suddenly the improvement is tangible.

Chris Parry sings Gethsemane with tremendous power and emotion, after Neil Morris and the dancers set the scene with Herod’s song. It is a genuine highlight, and the whole company seem to be inspired from that moment.

A trip to prison proves another plus, with Kerry Flint and the dancers impressing with When You’re Good to Mamma from Chicago.

Earlier Richard Beckett and Chris Parry earn top marks for Well, Did You Ever, and Rachel Carruthers and Sophie Mallen tackle difficult numbers from Wicked with aplomb.

Neil Morris is the producer and Ben Batt musical director of a show which closes tonight.

VERDICT: HHHII