"Miscast: All Inclusive" by Williams Creatives.

Sue Townsend Theatre, Leicester.

This is the third instalment in the Miscast series follows the success of Williams Creatives productions of Miscast: The Musical Cabaret and Miscast at the Movies. This is my first experience of both Williams Creatives and the Sue Townsend Theatre.

First of all, why "Miscast"? Well there is a story behind that which is about not restricting yourself to the songs that suit you, instead choosing the songs that you really want to sing, and on the whole this works. Let's face it, I'd love to be able to sing like Josh Groban, but nobody would pay to hear me attempt to hit the notes he hits, but I'd love to sing like he does!

The storyline of this jukebox musical was written and directed by Joshua Williams, who also plays Laurence. It is one of the campest musicals I've seen, and I love a bit of camp, and I love the message this musical sends out also.

The jukebox musical here though encompasses, not only some of the big hits from well-known musicals, but some classic pop tunes to mix it all up.

So, what is the story?

There's a tough decision to be made between keeping the club reps or cruise liner reps and it’s up to Chandrelle, with a bit of help from Graham at Head Office, to decide to change their futures forever or will Chandrelle change the rules and write their own history? It's a story of determination, team work and love in a way you haven’t seen before!

Charlotte Richards as Chandrelle, plays the ultimate bossy character but do we see a glimmer of softness through all of her heart-heartedness? I loved her version of "These Are My Children", which has always been my favourite song from the soundtrack of "Fame The Musical"

Luke Evered as Graham, looks very at ease in his role, and there is a surprise coming when two of the reps take quite a shine to him. Will he allow the reps to sway his decision as the reps are in the opposite camps? There is also a surprise as to whom he will choose, after a bit of a misunderstanding. I did enjoy this twist in this musical, especially as I did not see this particular one coming!

Michael Leslie Payne as Paulie, and what a diva this character is, and I loved the way that Michael played Paulie. Again, this character is not one that you may see in the run of the mill new musical, and it made the experience very fresh. Paulie is the leader of the Club Reps, and can I just say "row of tents". He is bitchy and the final straw comes when he reveals something about Darcy, who is in the rival Cruise Liners, which even turns his own group against him. With only days left before the day of reckoning for the two groups, how will they cope without their leader of the pack? Or does Paulie see the error of his ways?

Sharon Brown as Darcy has had a long running feud with Paulie, ever since Paulie won the first male Miss Baltimore Crabs, and that feud comes to a head with Paulie's big reveal. Sharon really gets you on her side and makes you feel sorry for her and what has happened.

Cathy Robinson as Nancy comes into her own when Darcy's secret is revealed, which has really knocked Darcy's confidence. Thanks to Nancy, Darcy's confidence is restored, and we get to hear the duet "Another Suitcase In Another Hall" as the result.

Joshua Williams as Lawrence. First of let me say that Joshua has one of the most distinctive voices I've heard in a long time, and I was trying to think who he reminds me of. the only person whose tone comes close to Joshua's is Roland Gift from the Fine Young Cannibals, but Joshua has power behind his voice, and I am sure that when he really lets his vocals go, he could tear the roof off of a theatre. I loved the sensuality of "Naked" and also his duet of "Everything Has Changed" which really takes on a new slant in this scenario. I also loved another duet he does, this time with Felicity on "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough). And then there is "The Movie In My Mind".

Matt Brown as Dash, one of the Club Reps, and I could see Matt as a Club Rep, he has that kind of fun aura about him. He is a proper lad! With Dash we see another love story blooming, but Dash is too shy to tell Tanya how he feels. Everyone, apart from Tanya, can see that he is like a lovestruck puppy around her. Will this particular love story come to fruition?

Jade Afflick-Goodall as Tanya, and ooh what a voice! I love Tanya's character, even if she is so wrapped up in everything else that she can't see the man who would do anything for her. Maybe it's because of the lovers in her past being bad for her. Jade is another actor who is ease on stage and is completely believable with her character. Jade also choreographed the show.

Ranata Maynard as Robyn, and boy what a bundle of energy Ranata and Robyn are. Ranata looks as if she is loving every moment of playing the fun Robyn, and we can feel that from the auditorium.

Kerry Smith as Felicity, and I was lucky enough to get to chat to Kerry before the show and can see that Joshua's casting of Kerry as felicity was definitely not miscast. Kerry is a fun young actor, and Felicity is a fun character, lively, with an eye for the lads, but has a heart of gold. Kerry has been in several ensembles in various Leicester drama groups, and this is her first lead role, and she handles that pressure really well, again very confident and natural in the role, and can back up her acting talents with a vibrant set of vocals as well. And she held that note in "No More Tears" brilliantly.

The Cruise Liner Ensemble consist of Ellie Thompson, H McLaren, Emm Edwards, Sula Green and Phoebe Harris and the Club Rep Ensemble are Sarah Brown, Lynsey Jones, Elspeth Brimley and Natasha Plummer.

There is a lot of choreography in this musical, as you'd expect, so we know that Jade had a lot of hard work cut out to choreograph this large cast.

Emm Edwards, apart from being in the ensemble was the Musical Director. Again many hours of hard work as there are twenty-six musical numbers in this show. From "9 To 5" to the closing "On Your Feet Megamix" via "Bend & Snap", "No Bad News", "Toucha Toucha Touch Me", "Every Breath You Take", "Fine Fine Line", "There Are Worse Things I Could Do", "Listen To Your Heart" and the brilliant "You Will Be Found", there really is something for everyone music wise in this show. If there is a song written called "Kitchen Sink", that too would have been included I suspect!

Loved the costumes, the responsibility of Jess Henderson, especially the final number, which I am not giving any spoilers for as it was incredibly glam and flashy.

Williams Creatives is a non-profit making group, which is a shame because with money to put towards scenery, this show would have been complete. Imagine backdrops as seen in Benidorm, palm trees, sand etc, or even Blackpool and that would have really set the tone and positioned the musical for me.

My only other comment would be that the sound mics sometimes were not faded up in time and we could only just hear some sections of the script. This didn't happen that often, but you know what I am like where sound and light are concerned... a pain in the derriere, as I am sure several local sound engineers will attest to. Don't worry I appreciate the need for sound desk operators to be part octopus.

It's a really fun musical, a witty script and, as I said, I love the messages that are given out through the story, especially Laurence's story, which was really fresh to see on stage.

Williams Creatives saying is "Passion and creativity through theatre" and you get that and more.

You can see this show Friday 11th and Saturday 12 March at the Sue Townsend Theatre in Leicester.