"Saints & Sinners - A Musical Theatre Concert" by Prism Theatre.

Sawley Memorial Hall, Long Eaton.

Prism Theatre is a new set up but you'll know all the performers that performed in this relaxed concert of songs from musical theatre. This is their debut show and included well known songs from well-known musicals as well as lesser-known songs from, well, lesser-known musicals. Basically, there is something for everyone, and even I discovered some gems that I'd not heard of previously.

Prism represents colour and this show presented plenty of colour in many ways. The range of choice of musicals and their songs was colourful; the language at times was colourful, even down to the metallic ties worn by the men were different and colourful.

Matt McAuley opened the show with "Wait For It" from "Hamilton and later in the show delivered a beautifully arranged version of "Corner Of the Sky" from "Pippin" among his numbers.

Lu Anthony's first appearance tonight was with Charlotte Howarth in the duet "What I've Been Looking For" from "High School Musical". With presentations like "Saints & Sinners", you get to see the songs out of context from when you see and hear the song in the musical it originated. You also get to hear the singer, because you are concentrated on that one person on stage. Lu also sang "For Forever" from "Dear Evan Hansen". I heard such control from Lu in this song, and you could tell that it was a song that resonated with Lu from the emotion they poured into the words. By contrast we also got to see their comedy side in the duet with Emily Owen in a song from "Beetlejuice" called "Ready Set, Not Yet"

Adam Guest, who has just finished playing Tevye in "Fiddler On the Roof", and has been nominated for an Eagle award for his portrayal of the Jewish milkman, revisited "Do You love Me" with Becky Morley, but not before giving us another great Jewish musical theatre song, "Reviewing The Situation" from "Oliver". If Adam has never played Fagin in the past, I hope that he gets to do so in the future because he brings out the comedy in Lionel Bart's lyrics splendidly.

Later in the concert Adam teamed up with Jake Gelernter to sing "Pretty Women" from "Sweeney Todd", showing a really smooth blend of two male voices. You know when you have a tub of natural yoghurt and you stir in natural honey and the blend is so sweet and looks so good with the honey swirls, well that is what came to mind to me in this duet.

Graham Buchanan's debut on stage tonight was with a song from "Shrek" called "Who I'd Be", but showed a complete contrast in the second act with a wonderful comic rendition of "Say My Name" from "Beetlejuice". Graham can look serious but has funny bones and both song choices play to his strengths.

Jake Gelernter presented me with my first unknown song and musical; "In Love With You" from the musical "First Date". This was one of those songs that you didn't expect to make a 360 degree U Turn with the lyrical content; the first of the songs and musicals that I will now be hunting down!

Jake was obviously feeling brave, taking on the mighty "Gethsemane" from "Jesus Christ Superstar" - my favourite song from the soundtrack. In this song you get to experience Jake's incredible falsetto, and it's not an easy song to perform due to the breath control and extended notes. I've seen several professional singers trying to hit that high note and falling short, and I hope that Jake has another crack at that loooong, high note later down the line to see if he can perfect it. Even John Legend didn't quite make it; Ted Neely, the original Jesus from the film set the bar almost as high as that note and, this is only my opinion, nobody has quite reached that bar. That said, I loved Jake's heartfelt version

Martin Lewis whipped out his Periodontal probe to give us an oral examination while singing "Dentist" from "Little Shop Of Horrors" backed by Charlotte, Becky and Kim-Louise. we didn't have to wait too long for his second offering, clad in thigh high blood red high heeled boots, he gave us "Sweet Transvestite" from "Rocky Horror Picture Show", proving that sex really is in the heel.... no wait, that's another kinky musical! And they reckon the quiet ones are the worse!

Beth Yearsley, fresh from her earlier duet "Crazier Than You" with matt, from the musical "The Addams Family" returned to perform "No Good Deed" from "Wicked". OMG can Beth belt a song out. Her voice can cut glass and her vocal control is out of this world, enough to give me the tingles. In the second half, Beth goes full on operatic in "I've Decided To Marry You" from "A Gentleman's Guide To Love and Murder" along with Jake and Charlotte.

Kim-louise Sparks, along with Lu, Emily and Beth, opened the second part with a song from a musical I'd never even heard of until a few weeks ago when I was chatting to Kim and Matt. The musical is called "Lizzie" and their song was called "House Of Borden". Kim, as many people will know is mainly a backstage kinda woman, but after seeing and hearing her in this concert, she ought to consider moving from backstage, and transfer to frontstage. Just a thought, Kim.

Charlie Buchanan then took centre stage to perform "Quiet" from "Matilda". This song really suited Charlie's voice. Once more, in contrast we got to see her perform with her dad - this family has as many talented members as the McAuley family - in "Say My Name" with Graham, Lu and Kim-Louise.

Charlotte Howarth stood out in the duet of "Dead Girl Walking" with Matt, from the musical "Heathers". This is the raunchy song in the musical, and thank goodness that they didn't have to act out the scene to this song as it may have raised the heat even more! A brilliant fun song, performed really well with some powerful vocals from both parties.

Oh, and talking about powerhouse vocals, Charlotte teamed up with Beth for an explosive duet of "Who Will Love Me As I Am?" from "Sideshow". What a song! What a performance!

Becky Morley, in my opinion, doesn't get to showcase her vocal talents as often as I'd like. With her duet with Adam on "Do You Love Me", you got to hear what a lovely voice she has, which sometimes gets lost in ensemble numbers that she has been in of late.

Emily Owen featured in a song from one of my current favourite musicals that not many people have heard of "Something Rotten", which still has not had the performance licence released here in the UK, so no one can perform the full musical. Thankfully some songs can be performed from the soundtrack and here, Emily, Jake and Matt get to perform "Right Hand Man". It quenched my thirst for "Something Rotten" fare, but I want MORE!! There is a wonderful song from the "Something Rotten" musical called "A Musical" which is A-MAY-ZING!!

Rounding off this wonderful musical theatre treat of an evening, we were treated to a full company version of "Freak Flag Fly", of course from "Shrek"

Tim Yearsley, Martin Lewis and Jake Gelernter provided the musical backing to what was a lovely, relaxed evening of songs from the stage, kickstarting my weekend perfectly by some wonderfully talented performers.

This was a one night only event, so if you weren't there, well, you should have been quicker in getting your tickets.

 "Spirit Level" by Pam Valentine.

Riverside Drama Company

Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton.

Famous crime writer Jack Cameron and his wife Susie drown in a boating accident, but they are refused entry into heaven because Jack is an atheist, so they return to haunt the country cottage where they once lived.

They soon learn life as a ghost can be very dull. Their only pleasure comes from spooking the estate agent and frightening away any would-be tenants. But things change when Susie persuades Jack to allow a young couple to move in - Simon, an aspiring crime writer, and Flic, his pregnant wife. Inevitably, Susie and Jack become drawn into their lives ...

Simon struggles with writer's block and Marcia - Flic's monstrous mother - is doing her best to separate the couple. With little expectation of success, Susie calls up her Guardian Angel, but she's far from the angelic figure one would expect!

She tells Jack he can help Simon write his book - but by a very unorthodox method which causes much confusion.

Christmas arrives, bringing with it a snowstorm, and the expected baby. Then - in a moment of crisis - Jack finds himself doing something that no card-carrying atheist would ever admit to. But will it help . . . ?

Jack Cameron is played by Jonathan Greaves. Sarcastic in parts but then there are the odd glimpses of affection for his wife and that thread of childlike humour which weaves throughout the play. Portrayed brilliantly with a natural sense of fun by Jonathan.

Susie Cameron is played by Lizzie Norris. Often forgetting that she is not of this world anymore, Susie of course, not Lizzie. This is a wonderfully fun role, and like Jonathan, portrayed with a very natural air which eradicates the idea that they are actors playing parts and makes you feel that you're a fly on the wall, viewing everyday normal, albeit deceased, people going about their everyday lives.

The Guardian Angel, who is at first summoned up "for a bit of fun" by Susie, is played by Donna Osmond. Complete with mobile phone with a heavenly ring tone, this heavenly onlooker always seems to be busy. I'd forgotten about this character from when I first saw this play in Arnold in 2019, but a lovely fun reminder created by Donna.

Simon Willis is played by Paul Norris, the aspiring author, who also just happens to be Jack Cameron's biggest fan. Some nice comic moments with this character, especially with the help provided by the Camerons with Simon's writer's block.

His wife, Felicity Willis, is played by Jenni Wright. The chemistry between the Willis's is very believable, mainly because there are several disagreements and temper losing, showing this couple to be a very "normal" couple, especially with Flic's impending arrival and the onus on Simon to produce a best-selling book.

Marcia Bagshaw, mother to Felicity and mother-in-law from hell to Simon is played by Celia Billau. I have seen Celia play the odd battleaxe in the past, and here is another to add to the list. That said there is a very comical scene between Marcia and the estate agent as Susie gets her own back for the insults that Marcia had made about the house and the Camerons earlier in the play.

The letting agent, Mark Webster of Webster, Webster & Webster is played by Dave Wilson. Webster is deeply affected by the spirit of the cottage and, seemingly, the only living person who gets to see the Cameron's playful activities, making him a bit of a nervous wreck, much to the amusement, as well as confusion of the other characters. Great fun with the scenes that Dave has to appear in. Why Webster would be afraid of spirits, I don't know because by the end of the play he had more spirits inside him than out!

Directed by Liz Turner, who knows how to bring out the best in comic plays like this, as well as in her cast of actors. The comedy is gentle and taken at a gentle pace, and that means that you get every comic line spoken and digest and understand the comedy at its' fullest. You can tell that Liz and her cast have enjoyed producing this play.

Set Design and construction is by Liz, Bob Baron and Riverside Drama Company. The action takes place in the main sitting room of the late Camerons, but there are a pair of French windows which, when uncurtained show part of the garden, which looks beautiful in the winter scenes.

Lighting Design is by Dave Martin with the Sound Design by Keith Salway. Both operated by Rob Osmond.

It's very nice to state that there were no missed mic cues; the reason for that is because Riverside had no need of mics because all of the actors performed un-mic'd with excellent projection. The sound effects were perfectly timed.

What I noticed about the lighting was that when there was just the Camerons in the room, the lights dipped slightly. I though this a very clever piece of lighting because we all know that if there is an unearthly presence around, they feed off the electrical forces which make lights dip. I wonder how many other audience members noticed or were even aware of that nugget of information?

What I also liked about the production side of this play were the costumes. Ghost characters are always seen to be wearing white, and that was true for the costumes for the deceased duo. the other costumes matched the character's roles and stature.

As I said earlier, I had seen this play before, a few years' ago, so I knew that I was in for a fun evening of spooky splendour. Riverside did not disappoint. So, if you're feeling a bit down this weekend, this crew will most definitely lift your spirits I exspect(re). (Sorry, you knew there was not a ghost of a chance getting through this review without any form of pun).

"Spirit Level" is at the Duchess Theatre in Long Eaton until Saturday 24 June. there's only one reason why you won't be able to sleep after this show, and that's because you'll still be chuckling.

 "The Verdict" by Barry Reed.

Middle Ground Theatre

Derby Theatre.

I missed out on seeing this courtroom thriller when it appeared at the Nottingham Theatre Royal earlier this year, so I was pleased to be able to get to see it this week in Derby. I also missed out on watching the film, so the story is all new to me, and therefore the outcome of the story!

Frank Galvin is a washed-up veteran lawyer and an alcoholic. He is presented with one last chance to redeem himself when he is given an open-and-shut medical malpractice case that no one thinks he can win. Up against the unforgiving medical establishment, he refuses an out of court settlement, believing it is negligence that has condemned a young mother. Smelling a cover up, he instead takes the case and the entire legal system to court. Along the way there's also a romantic entanglement, but could this chance meeting be something more than it first appears?

Jason Merrells, whose face you'll immediately recognise from his many TV roles from "Happy Valley" and "Emmerdale" plays Frank Galvin, the washed-up lawyer. Many people will just see Jason as a soap and TV actor, but he has an impressive theatre resume; everything from Shakespeare to Chekhov to Ayckbourn.

We get the full lowdown on Galvin even before the play starts as he crawls out from under his desk, dishevelled and hung over. It's not the last time we see him, slightly worse for wear due to the liquor either; but then again, don't all lawyers drink?

Throughout this wonderful piece of theatre we see him collect pieces of the jigsaw and present a full picture of what happened on that day in November 1976 to Debbie on that operating table whilst in childbirth. But will the jury believe the little man over the church and the medical profession?

It was just like watching a film, the production was that slick and you are left, hanging on to every word that Galvin utters. Merrell's performance here is hypnotic, and I didn't want the twenty-minute interval, I was eager to find out the truth of what happened and bring the case to a closure.

Richard Walsh plays Bishop Brophy, who we see trying to settle the matter away from the court for a sum of $300.000. You'd think any lawyer would snap that offer up, but what does Galvin see in the Bishop that makes him change his mind and go for, what seems to be an impossible case to win?

Galvin needs an expert to back him up, and when his main witness suddenly becomes impossible to reach, he turns to Lionel Thompson MD, played by Okon Jones. There's a lot of humour in this role, a lot which was not acknowledged in my opinion by the audience, and Okon provided that laid back vibe, the complete opposite to the defence.

Mrs McDaid, Debbie's mother is played by Sarah Shelton. Irish in descent but resident of Boston, Massachusettes. Lovely lilting accent and a lovely physical feel for the part. Sarah made me believe the age of the character she played just by the physicality of McDaid.

Vincent Pirillo played Moe Katz, Galvin's partner in this case; as with Sarah's performance, the physicality of this role is spot on.

Reanne Farley plays Donna St Laurent who enters the story as she is looking for a job as a waitress in Galvin's local hang out. She becomes his love interest. The bar is owned by Eugene Meehan, played by Michael Lunney.

J Edgar Concannon, representing the defence is played by Nigel Barber.

Under the judicial microscope are Dr Rexford Gilbert Towler MD, played by Jason Wilson and Dr Daniel Jonathan Crowley, played by Michael Lunney.

Helping Galvin fight his case are Mary Rooney and Natalie Stampanatto, two of the nurses there on that day. Wonderfully portrayed by Teresa Jennings and Holly Jackson Walters respectively.

The people in court were played by Anna Arthur (Stenographer/Nurse/Waitress/ Jury Foreman), Bruce Chattan (Jeremy Callahan Court Clerk), James Morley (Bailiff Thomas Laundsen). Richard Walsh (Eldredge Sweeney), Dave Speck (Michael Madden - lawyer).

Directed and designed by Michael Lunney, at two hours and twenty minutes long, not including the interval, at first sight it seems a long stretch inside but in reality, the tension that builds makes it seem a lot shorter than this, and it takes a Director who knows their stuff to keep the audience gripped to their seats, and that is what Lunney has done.

The Set design is just as breath taking and gripping as the story and the acting. The first act is split between Galvin's office and Eugene's bar. the second act is like stepping into one of those big American court rooms you see on the TV. From what I could see, all three sets had great attention to detail.

Assistant Director was Richard Walsh.

One other thing that I will mention is the music that accompanied the scene changes. representing the Irish side of the story, we were treated to some beautiful Irish instrumental music, played by Lynette Webster. This choice included one of my all-time favourite traditional Irish pieces, "She Moves Through The Fair"

I was so pleased that I didn't see the film before this production because this version will now be the one that I remember. It is gripping, it is hypnotic, it is mesmeric, and I even held my breath when the verdict from the jury was requested.

A wonderful cast, a great story, a twist that I didn't see coming and a shame if you missed out on not seeing this spell binding production.

"The Verdict" is at Derby Theatre until Saturday 24 June.

 "Strictly Ballroom: The Musical"

Nottingham Theatre Royal

I vaguely remember seeing the 1992 Baz Luhrman film of "Strictly Ballroom", but didn't make a great impression on me, although I love films centred around dance. This theatre show though is different.

Starring Kevin Clifton of Strictly Come Dancing fame, as well as Faye Brookes, a former Dancing On Ice contestant and late star of Coronation Street where she played Kate Connor.

The musical follows arrogant, rebellious young ballroom dancer, Scott Hastings (Kevin Clifton). When his radical and daring dance style sees him fall out of favour with Australian Federation, he must dance with beginner, Fran (Faye Brookes). Together they find the courage to defy tradition and discover that to win, your steps don’t need to be strictly ballroom!

As I've seen Kevin Clifton perform on stage before, I knew that he could act and knew that he had a good voice as well. It goes without saying that the man can dance; that's his job. In "Rock Of Ages" he was playing a part of a rock star. In this he plays the part of a dancer. ergo the part is made for him.

There is a section where he has to impress Fran's family and friends and that section where he is taught how to Paso Doble by Fran's father is explosive. You see dancers on Strictly and they look amazing. Seeing a fiery dance like the Paso, right before your very eyes, is electric. It's nice to see Kevin act a wider range of emotions than in some of his other stage roles, bringing a human side to the role as opposed to just a character on stage.

Faye Brookes, as with Kevin, didn't really produce any surprises. We all knew that she could dance, because we've seen her on "Dancing On Ice"; her main job is as an actor, and I've seen Faye in "Chicago" so knew that she could sing. What did pleasantly surprise me though was the range and strength of her singing ability. When she sings a ballad, she sings with such feeling; not only can you hear it, but you can see the emotion in her face. I absolutely loved the whole transformation with Fran; from an awkward, shy girl to the confident, fiery and sexy dancer she becomes later in the musical. That awkwardness is also matched by Clifton as the two characters discover that they are slowly falling for each other. Was love in the air?

But these two were not the only ones who stole the limelight in this musical....

Nikki Belsher was wonderful as Shirley Hastings, Scott's pushy mother and iron willed co-owner of Kendall's dance Studio. They say opposites attract, and that is right because Shirley's husband and Scott's father, Doug Hastings, played by Mark Sangster is quiet, unassuming and happy to stay out of the limelight kind of person. We see another side of Doug though in Act Two. Brilliant pairing.

Barry File, President of the Dance Federation. The most powerful man in Ballroom Dancing and is played by Gary Davis.

Quinn Patrick plays Les Kendall, the co-owner of the dance studios with Shirley, and Scott's dance teacher. Another wonderful comic role with a big dollop of campness for good measure.

The MC at the ceremonies and festivals is JJ Silver, played by Oliver Brooks.

Fran's dad, Rico, is played with real fire by Jose Agudo. Very protective of his little girl and the head of the Spanish family. Jose is a wonderful dancer and it's he who takes the lead in the Paso section, burning up the stage with his passionate and intense dance routine.

Fran's Grandmother, Abuela, is played by Karen Mann. It's one of those roles and actors you can instantly warm to. She is kind and supportive of her granddaughter and can also walk the walk as well as talk the Spanish talk.

Danielle Cato plays the part of Tina Sparkle, the current Pan pacific champion and the dancer they all want Scott to pair up with. Like all of these women dancers, she is beautiful with legs any woman would die for.

Agnes Pure plays Liz, who is Scott's partner at the start of the show, but due to a disagreement over Scott's radical moves, she quits just a few weeks before the big competition. You can see why Shirley hastings and Liz get along as they are cut from the same sequinned cloth.

An incredibly strong ensemble; well let's face it, when you are in a show starring Kevin Clifton and being directed by Craig Revel-Horwood, you all have to be very strong on the dance front, and they do not disappoint.

Directed by Craig Revel-Horwood, as just stated, who also co choreographed the show with Jason Gilkison. I also noticed that one of the characters got to perform the signature Craig Revel-Horwood routine when he is introduced on Strictly on TV. The musical is well paced; the dancing is fast and furious and as hot as a Spanish jalapeno, but there are several slower and tender moments to bring out the shyness and awkward moments as Fran and Scott get to know each other.

It also shows just how bitchy and back biting the world of ballroom and Latin dancing can be.

The Set Design, as well as the costumes, are by Mark Walters. The set made really good use of a video style backdrop to change the scenes, and with side inserts of scenery, the sets were changed as effortlessly as an American Smooth.

The costumes were brilliantly flashy and colourful, as you'd imagine, and as we headed towards the finale, the sequin count rose. I loved the wigs, many of which caused comedy by themselves as they were so obvious!

Richard G Jones' Lighting Design brought the magic of the dance alive while the Sound Design by Rory Madden, at times was just a bit loud, created the excitement of the rhythms, especially during that amazing Paso Doble section.

There were three singles released from the soundtrack back in 1992, "Love Is In the Air", "Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps" and "Time After Time", all of which are included in the stage production as well as other songs written especially for the live theatre tour, which I personally thought were well matched with the storyline. The Spanish version of "Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps" oozed sex as Scott and Fran rhumba'd.

The film may not have set me aflame, but this stage production definitely heated the theatre up - thankfully we were all cooled by the gorgeous air conditioning, but the dancers all raised the temperature by several degrees, and I felt the heat from the stage, so much so I had to get an ice cream in the interval to cool me off!

This show is NOT a dance disarster dahling; it's FAB U LOUS with two incredibly hot stars and a cast to match. An explosion of colour.

"Strictly Ballroom: The Musical" is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 24 June. Don't let this show paso you by!