jodie

Tell me on a Sunday

Malvern Theatres

****

It was more tell me on a Tuesday as Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black’s one-woman, hit musical launched its UK National Tour at Malvern Theatres starring actress and singer Jodie Prenger.

With travel restrictions grounding aeroplanes and dreams of exotic holiday destinations out of the window for the foreseeable, this was our opportunity to be transported to American soil, from the dizzying heights of the Empire State Building across the Brooklyn Bridge, navigating the avenues of love and success with brimming eternal optimism for the future.

What a feast for the senses and a fizzing celebratory atmosphere to be back in theatres listening to live music and watching the charismatic Prenger’s emotional portrayal of character Emma, as she takes a bite of The Big Apple.

This juicy musical set in the 1980s, follows Emma as she treads the boardwalk of life falling head over heels for corduroy guy then capped teeth and Caesar salad Stigwood and even swinging through the jungle with Tarzan. Emma keeps her parents in England up to date with her love life keeping the tone upbeat but pragmatic. If only Emma could find her real together guy to sweep her off her heels?

The band were a joy to hear with Jess Cox, deputy musical director, on cello, Matt Elliott on bass, Chloe Percy-Smith on reeds and James Gambold on drums and percussion.

The show is over by the interval but the audience were then invited back into the auditorium for songs and questions with Prenger and were treated to more Andrew Lloyd classics such as Oom Pah Pah from Oliver. Prenger’s personality shone through involving the crowd and introducing the talented understudy Jodie Beth Meyer to perform a duet of Another Suitcase from Evita.

We may have spent the last 18 months having our lives restricted and theatre trips just a distant memory but there are stage lights twinkling and fresh shoots emerging into this new world which doesn’t have to be the end.

“It’s not the end of the world to change rainbows

 It’ll be fine when I find mine

It’s not the end of the world to be free

It’s not the end of the world to be me.”

#TheShowMustGoOn

Tell me on a Sunday is directed by Paul Foster, has musical direction by Francis Goodhand and musical supervision by Catherine Jayes. It is designed by David Woodhead with lighting design by Howard Hudson and sound design by Tom Marshall.

Emma Trimble

15-06-21

Jamie Wilson with Kevin McCollum and Gavin Kalin present The Watermill Theatre Production of Tell Me On A Sunday at Malvern Theatres until Saturday 19 June. Tickets are available from the Box Office on 01684892277 or online here.

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