I was lucky enough to get tickets for the public dress rehearsal last night. We really enjoyed it. I don’t generally like musicals, apart from the odd exception, but this was a proper drama with fantastic music that enriched the whole production. The music complemented, built on, reflected and enhanced the stories enacted on stage and took them to a higher level. I loved it.
At first it was a bit strange hearing other voices sing Mr H’s songs (particularly female) but once I got used to it I appreciated the different interpretations. Some of the actors had brilliant voices and the duets and choral pieces were fantastic. The band were wonderful but I sort of hoped Mr H (who was in the audience, doubtless making notes) would grab the guitar and give it the magic and wellie only he can! That is not to take anything away from the musicians who created some awesome sounds. I am sure, with it being a dress, that things may get tweaked a bit before the run (musically, technically and performance-wise) but it seemed spot on last night.
The three stories interweaved really well and the slick changes from one to another were very impressive. I liked the way we saw the two children from different families as adults as part of the story - it took me a bit of time to catch on but I got there in the end! There was comedy, tragedy, politics, pathos - everything a good drama needs. There were some good Sheffield in-jokes, including Sheffield Wednesday (and my husband noticed a particularly obnoxious minor character had a Blades badge on his arm
) and Hendo’s getting a starring role! And of course the music. Sublime. There were a couple of songs I hadn’t heard before but if they are from the new album I can’t wait to hear the rest.
The show started and ended with one of my favourite Hawley songs - As the Dawn Breaks - performed beautifully. If you can go and haven’t booked tickets, do so soon, they are rightly selling out quickly. Well done to everyone involved - it were a reight good night!