"Curtains" by Kristian Thomas Company

Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton.

What I love most about Kristian Thomas Company, apart from every show being of the highest quality, is that they often go for a production that is very rarely performed or seen on local stages and "Curtains" is another musical that I'd known of, but never seen.

It’s the brassy, bright, and promising year of 1959. Boston’s Colonial Theatre is host to the opening night performance of a new musical, "Robbin Hood". When the leading lady, Jessica Cranshaw, mysteriously dies on stage the entire cast & crew are suspects. Enter a local detective, who just happens to be a musical theatre fan!

But Cioffi doesn’t just investigate the murder, he also offers advice and insight into improving "Robbin’ Hood". The musical will open again in 24 hours with a new leading lady, so the clock is ticking to find the killer and put on a killer show. Who could it be? Carmen Bernstein, the sassy and brassy producer? Christopher Belling, the campy and egotistical director? Georgia Hendricks, the lyricist who replaces Jessica onstage? Niki Harris, the ingenue with a secret? Everyone is a suspect, and only Cioffi can make sense of the evidence and solve the murder.

Joe Millward plays Lieutenant Frank Cioffi. Here is an actor who can not only act, deliver well timed comedy, sings like an angel and dances as well. as soon as he makes his entrance on stage, you instantly warm to the wannabe thespian law enforcer. Joe plays the role that Jason Manford played in the West End production of this show, a show that I'd wanted to see; now I don't as I don't think Jason Manford could top this performance.

He dances as if he is on ice, there's even an aeroplane in there - that's a dance move by the way. And not only that he even has a couple of very quick costume changes as well, adding to the wow factor of his performance. And on the cover of the playbill, he manages to look like one of those detectives from an old black and white movie - you know the sort that always has a voice over. I've seen Joe before on stage, but this has to be the cherry on his theatrical cake.

Helen Perry gets to play the gorgeous Nikki Harris. Helen, like all of these actors, has a wonderful voice, dances effortlessly and can present a character perfectly. many of the clues may point to Nikki, and she becomes great friends with Cioffi. Is there a reason for her to keep close to the cop, and what could her secret be? Or are these very red herrings?

Cara Chadwick plays Georgia Hendricks, and she makes her debut with the Kristian Thomas Company with this role. As Cara says, this is a gift of a role to play, and there is a possibility that swapping from being the lyricist for "Robbin Hood" to taking centre stage, replacing the deceased leading lady, may be reason enough for murder. Only one way to find out!

Georgia's song writing partner, Aaron Fox, is played by Martin Counter, and obvioulsy with the role he gets to be one of the lead singers in the musical, so we get to hear Martin's rich tones as well. Martin is also making his Kristian Thomas debut. What an influx of talent!

Carmen Bernstein is funding the musical within a musical, so she definitely doesn't want to see the show close due to a murder, does she? Carmen is played wonderfully by Deborah McPherson, and I kept hearing Ethel Merman in her vocals. the character is also very Merman-ish, thinking back to Merman's role in "Gypsy", both characters are pushy stage mothers, as we soon discover. Love the character and love Deborah's voice, energy and attitude. And there's some naughty jokes that Carmen also gets to aim like bullets at her husband in the musical.

Carmen's husband, Sidney Bernstein is played to perfection by Stephen Mura. Another Kristian Thomas Company debut here with Stephen, and while Mr Bernstein may not be around much in this show, he definitely makes his mark, in more ways than one. And quite unrecognisable Stephen is in the role, thanks to wardrobe and make up, and Stephen's acting skills.

Bethany Neville plays Bambi Bernet, step daughter to Sidney, and I loved the answer she gives to her mother when asked why she chose the name Bambi as her stage name. Bethany also gets to showcase her elasticity as Bambi as well.

James Dean gets to play the British Director in the musical, Christopher Belling. Another dream role I imagine as he gets to send up every dircetor who believes that they are the ultimate star of any production they lay their hands on. Although most directors I know are very down to earth and wouldn't possibly act the diva director like Belling. James gets to deliver some excellent comic lines into the bargain.

Lu Anthony plays Bobby Pepper, who is one of the main dancers in "Robbin Hood", so the part could not have been given to a better person given their choreographical talent and absolute athleticism. We even get a one handed cartwheel thrown in for good measure. I've stated before their talents in the field of dance, and here's more proof that they are one of the best dancers in local theatre today. Their acting's not bad either.

Tom Samuels plays the stage manager, Johnny Harmon. A lovely bustling type role which keeps popping up to let you know, first what stage managers do, and secondly that he's still milling around, and of course, as a stage manager has access to every part of the stage; a boon for any character who wanted to get access to any other character, at any angle, if you know what I mean.

Another actor who was unrecognisable, again due to fabulous team behind this fabulous show was Curtis Taylor-Tipton, who played Oscar Shapiro, the financier in the show. Would closing the show save him money, or would keeping the show open, with another leading lady boost the takings? Like the other characters, there were no hard feelings when Jessica was murdered, but would that be a risk too far for Oscar? Another character driven role for Curtis to get his teeth into.

I've mentioned Jessica Cranshaw a few times now, so it's time to reveal who plays Jessica, the diva who all the "Robbin Hood" cast were glad to see the back of. Sandy Lane gets to take an early bath with this role, but what a way to go out, with full drama. It must have been hard for Sandy to be cast as a character who can't sing, can't dance, can't act and is despised by everyone, especially when you are a talented singer, dancer and actor who is loved by everyone.

Jake Statham plays Daryl Grady, The Boston Globe theatre critic, who takes the term critic literally, although he can be nice in print, especially to one particular actor in the show. After a scathing review of the musical, he does in fact agree to give a second review, with Jessica's replacement taking centre stage.

A big cast and ensemble who flooded the stage with talent, and made those ensemble song and dance numbers come alive.

James Christian (Randy Dexter), Max Fuller who has moved up the ranks into the adult section from the youth section of KTco (Harv Fremont), Alice Cammell (Detective O Farrell), Katie Lawson (Roberta Wooster), Adela Green, Francesca Foster, Lauren Rose Stirland, Nadia Potter, Louise Curd, Abbie Faulkner, Amelie Turner, Amy Wicks, Anna Gray, Charlotte Carradine, Ellie Simmonds , Gabrielle Tempest, Georgina Bateman, Katie Lawson, Max Fuller, Megan Singleton, Naomi King and Reema Frost . Where would we be without an ensemble?

It'll come as no secret that the costumes for this show are out of this world. There's so much glitter and glamour, I now need to look for a new wardrobe after seeing these costumes.

Alyshea Gomes is the Director for this musical within a musical mirthful masterpiece. It was like watching one of those old Hollywood big budget films you used to watch on Sunday afternoons with all of their over the top actors and dance numbers. All I needed was a duvet and a hot chocolate with marshmallows. A very classy, well paced piece of theatre which, not only drew forth laughs from the practically full theatre, but waves of belly laughs, such is the quality of the script and the talents of this brilliant cast. And Alyshea, along with Assistant Director, Tom Samuels, brought that talent out of the cast.

Kristian Cunningham choreographed the show, so you just know that every kick, flick and shimmy will have been perfected with the cast many many times, and it's that attention to detail and perfection seeking that Kristian instills into his dancers that makes shows like this spectacular.

Musical Director is Josh Kemp. Now, I've known Josh for many years and I know what a perfectionist he is when it comes to music, so it came as no surprise that the musical quality for this musical murder mystery is the music equivalent to Kristian's choreography. When you use the best, you get the best results.

The soundtrack to this musical is written by Kander and Ebb, and anyone who has heard of them will know what a brilliant pair of songwriters and wordsmiths they are. I love "Show People" as it's big, bold and brassy, I loved the arrangements of "In the Same Boat" with the final three way vocals involved and the busy choreography for that piece, "I Miss The Music" is sublime, "It's A Business" is pure Broadway, delivered with great oomph by Deborah, the marvellous song and dance number "Kansasland" and a song that epitomises this show "Tough Act To Follow" - it says it all.

The Sound Design and operation is by Ryan Heath, and apart from the odd very minor sound issue, this was a rich and full aural delight.

The Lighting Design was by Stephen Greatorex, and as he can't be everywhere all at once, it was operated by Sophie Smith, who did an excellent job with it. There are certain parts of this show where the cues have to be spot on and every cue hit the target.

Oh, and if you were wondering if I guessed the murderer correctly, I did. I am so chuffed with myself because I am useless at this sort of thing, maybe it was due to me immersing myself in the storyline that released those creative Cioffi juices. No spoilers here though, go along and see if you guess correctly.

"Curtains" is at Duchess Theatre in Long Eaton until Saturday 15 April.