Theatre Review: The Wedding Singer

Image Source: BritishTheatre.com

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Format: Musical
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Date: May 31 2017
Location: Liverpool Empire Theatre

Based on the 1998 movie, The Wedding Singer is based around Robbie Hart (Jon Robyns), a wedding singer by trade whose own wedding is fast approaching, where he will marry longtime sweetheart Linda (Tara Verloop). However, Linda does not show on the day, leaving a note which does little to make Robbie feel better. His situation is compounded by the engagement between Julia Sullivan (Cassie Compton) and New York hotshot Glen Gulia (Ray Quinn); Julia works as a waitress and is a close friend of Robbie, so much so that Robbie had agreed to sing at her wedding should she and Glen ever tie the knot, but prior to Robbie having his own heart broken.

Therefore, it takes some time and much persuasion from Julia for Robbie to honour his commitment. In the meantime, Robbie assists Julie with wedding preparations, but after some gentle prompting by Julia's friend Holly (Stephanie Clift) to "practice a church kiss", Robbie and Julia lock lips, and it quickly becomes clear that the two have developed feelings for each other. This slowly evolves amidst Robbie learning more about Glenn's lifestyle, which included regularly cheating on his bride-to-be.

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Puttin' On The Ritz

Image Source: Puttin' On The Ritz

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Format: Musical
Genre: Musical
Date: October 7 2015
Location: Liverpool Empire Theatre

Back in the early days of cinema, motion pictures were a lot more simplified than they are nowadays. Even the use of audio was considered innovative back then, which perhaps partly explains why Hollywood exploded in the early 20th century when sound was added, and by the 1920s, films became even more popular with the influx of legendary and timeless music scores from Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Cole Porter. They introduced new songs that had a familiar style to them, they were catchy, the lyrics were logical, and they were generally classic musical tunes and remain so to this very day. It also featured stellar singing and dancing, Fred Astaire being a perfect example of this. If anything, back in the day, the storyline of a movie often played second fiddle to the outstanding vocal skills and the visually superb dance routines.

And that's the formula which has been used for the theatre show which pays tribute to this Golden Age of Hollywood, Puttin' On The Ritz. There is no overriding plotline, or indeed any plotline, for this show. Instead, this puts a greater emphasis on the word "show"; although it takes place in a theatre setting, it is more appropriate to describe Puttin' On The Ritz as an extended tribute show, and it is a very enjoyable one at that. The production provides a variety of musical numbers complete with five-star dance efforts, all based on the song-writing of the aforementioned Berlin, Gershwin and Porter, along with a slightly updated feel to the singing of said tunes and a very contemporary twist to the dance routines.

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Ray Quinn Joins The Cast Of Judy

Ray Quinn.

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Empire Theatre

International theatre producer David King is delighted to announce that Ray Quinn is joining the cast of Judy: The Songbook Of Judy Garland.

Ray was runner-up in The X-Factor in 2006. He has since triumphed in Dancing On Ice and Dancing On Ice - All Stars, and has starred in numerous West End musicals including Legally Blonde and Dirty Dancing.

Judy will tour some of the UK’s finest theatres, with the UK premiere of this new musical show at the Edinburgh Playhouse on May 8 2015. Highly-acclaimed choreographer and theatre director Arlene Phillips will be the Creative Director on the production. This will be the only Judy Garland Show in the world authorised by the Judy Garland Estate.

Judy also stars Lorna Luft, Judy Garland’s daughter, together with leading West End musical theatre stars, including Louise Dearman, Rachel Stanley, Darren Bennett and more. Also appearing are Judy’s dancers - The Boyfriends, named after Judy’s original dancers of the same name.

Judy will include never-before-seen film clips and interviews together with irresistible classic hit songs from some of Judy’s hugely popular films such as A Star is Born, Meet Me In St. Louis, Easter Parade and The Wizard of Oz. The set of songs will include I Got Rhythm, The Trolley Song, The Man That Got Away, Get Happy, Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart, and the song that is synonymous with Judy Garland, Over The Rainbow. Judy is directed by Christopher Manoe.

Lorna Luft is considered to be part of Showbiz Royalty, as the daughter of Judy Garland and the half-sister of Liza Minnelli, and as a highly successful stage, film and TV actress and singer herself. She has appeared in numerous film, TV and stage shows including White Christmas, They’re Playing My Son and Babes In Arms. Lorna appeared on stage regularly with her mother as a young girl and continues to maintain a high-profile concert career.

Louise Dearman is the darling of the West End, and has performed in leading roles in many West End musicals including Wicked (where Louise was the first actress to play both the good witch and the bad witch), Glinda and Elphaba. Louise also starred in Evita, Cats and Guys and Dolls to name just a few.

Darren Bennett has appeared in numerous productions in both the West End and on tour including the current production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Aladdin, Merrily We Roll Along, Crazy for You, Fiddler on the Roof, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Singin’ In The Rain.

Rachel Stanley has recently finished starring as Betty Haynes in the hugely-successful production of White Christmas at London’s Dominion Theatre, and previously  played the role in Edinburgh, Manchester, Plymouth & Southampton. Rachel has also had lead roles in Annie (New Zealand and UK tour), Crazy for You and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK Tour).

Arlene Phillips (CBE) is one of the UK’s best known choreographers, and also works regularly as a theatre director and is a well-known television personality. Arlene has worked on numerous stage productions (The Wizard Of Oz, Starlight Express, Grease), TV shows (So You Think you can Dance) and films.

Judy: The Songbook Of Judy Garland runs in the Liverpool Empire Theatre from Monday June 8-Wednesday June 10. For ticket information, click here.