“Betty Blue Eyes” by Central Musical Theatre Company
Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton.

A musical that I have heard a lot about but never seen on stage, until now.

Central Musical theatre Company make their debut at the Duchess Theatre with the stage adaptation based on Alan Bennett’s film/book “A Private Function”.

It tells the story of Betty, a pig with the bluest eyes you’ll ever see on a pig, illegally reared to be killed to provide a lavish feast for the wedding feast of the Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip.

In revenge for not getting his shop he had been promised in the parade, chiropodist Gilbert Chilvers decides that he is going to steal Betty. His wife Joyce sees this as a chance to feast, but there is just one snag, who will kill Betty Blue Eyes?

The musical is quintessentially British with some marvellous eccentric characters, an assortment of bullies, spivs and snobs and the soundtrack is gorgeous.

This is the first time I had seen the Central Musical Theatre Company and I was really impressed. Their harmonies are superb and they really create the feel of the 1940's with these harmonies. And there are many excellent solo vocalists as well.

Julie Harper (Joyce Chilvers) is one of the many excellent vocalists, and you get the feeling that she could turn that voice to any style of singing. Julie also has a lovely sense of comic timing as well which really works well in this musical.

Greg Tabberer (Gilbert Chilvers) is well suited to this role as the zero to hero chiropodist, and again, a great voice.

Maria Banks (Mother) is an absolute gem as the ever-hungry mother in law to Gilbert. maria's character acting is just a joy to behold and I loved every second that she was on stage.

Adrian Redfern (Henry Allardyce) is another character I loved as well. Lovely comic timing and some brilliant facial expressions, oh and that voice! Just wonderful.

The baddie of this musical is Wormold, the food inspector, who is a real panto style villain who paints illegal meat green so it can't be eaten by anyone. John Wedgewood is the perfect casting for this role. All he needed was a twirly black moustache and a bomb beneath that long black trenchcoat..

There are so many people involved in the cast and they all played their parts perfectly, and it was so easy to just sit back and let them take me on a journey and let the story unfold.

Kath Fitchett (Mrs Allardyce), Jade Holmes (Veronica Allardyce), Steve Dunning (Francis Lockwood), Ann Hurst (Mrs Lockwood), Paul Kirkland (Dr Swaby), Philip Wright (Sgt Noble) were the main characters and actors.

There's some great choreography from Fiona Carratu, especially in the "nightclub scene" which also featured Sarah Towle, Laura Jones and Bridget Wyatt as the Nightcliub Trio.

Lorna Kirkland as Director really kept the pace going.

The orchestra, under the Musical Direction of Alison Sharp, and bot that band can swing when they want to.

Chris Margaret designed the set and with the projected backdrop, the different scenes were swiftly changed.

There is also a very clever start to Act Two which reminded me of a section in the play "The 39 Steps", which I just know you will love if you see this little beauty of a musical.

Oh, and there is just one more cast member that i have not mentioned, Betty of course. I do not want to give too much away here but, she is the most gorgeous, blue eyed creature with long eye lashes who when she looks at you, you just can't help but fall in love with her. The way that curly tail wags and those long ears and snout twitch is enough to turn you vegetarian.

This is a clever, funny and really enjoyable piece of theatre, performed by a theatre company who has put a great deal of hard work into this musical, and it shows. It may be one of those pieces that isn't performed often, so take the opportunity to see it while it's here.

“Pretty Blue Eyes” is at The Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton until Saturday 30 March.