"Sweet Charity" by Kristian Thomas Company.

Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton.

To quote a phrase from one of the songs... "All I can say is WOW!" This musical will blow your socks off!

Based on the 1969 film starring Shirley MacLaine and the book by Neil Simon with music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Dorothy Fields.

Charity is an unlucky in love gal who makes a living from dancing in a seedy dive in New York called The Fandango Ballroom.. Having just been dumped by her latest boyfriend, she decides that enough is enough and she is going to change her life. A chance meeting with the shy Oscar in a broken down lift kick starts her turnaround.....or does it?

Alana Fay Moran is Charity Hope Valentine, and not only can she belt out a song, but she sustains that Noo Yoik accent throughout the musical. Charity has a wonderful personality and Alana makes you virtually punch the air when things are going good for her and when things aren't so good, you really feel like giving her an hug. The comedy with Charity feels very natural, and that is all thanks to Alana's acting.

Charity's fellow dancers and close friends Nickie, played by Helen Perry and Helene, played Lydia Thacker are great fun, taking the mickey out of Charity whenever she tells them that she has fallen in love again. There's also that sisterly love shared by these three which is also lovely to see.

Dave Covey plays Vittorio Vidal, Oscar Lindquist and Charlie. Charlie, her married boyfriend, dumps Charity, quite literally off a bridge in Central park after relieving her of all of her savings. Vittorio is a famous movie star who has just split with his girlfriend, Ursula, played by Shannon O' Donnell. The split however is not permanent, leaving Charity, yet again alone. Late she meets Oscar who is quiet and shy, and also claustrophobic!

Three very different characters, who all look very different as well. Dave's voice has a lot of power, as shown when playing Vittorio.

Herman, the part played by Stubby Kaye in the film, is played by Sandy C Lane. Now I had to look several times at Herman because it didn't look like Sandy. The wig and costume seemed to make Sandy morph into this character, and I am sure that sandy has disguised her speaking voice; no wonder I didn't recognise Sandy - she is quite chameleonic. Sandy's voice though could not be hidden and I love Herman's big song "I Always Cry At Weddings" which retains the fun and energy of the film version.

Lauren Rose Stirland plays Big Daddy Johan Sebastion Brubeck, the leader of The Rhythm Of Life Church. Lauren also gets to belt out another of the show's big numbers, "The Rhythm Of Life". There's no disguising that this musical is a 1960's musical, especially in this scene, and it just oozes nostalgia with the costumes, lighting, choreography and the arrangement of this tune. The multi-layered harmonies are recreated perfectly and sounded simply superb.

The ensemble, who by the way are incredibly hard working as they play every other role in the show, consist of Ella Greenwood - who also played a Fandango Girl, Bethany Neville, Betsymae Kirkland-Ball - who also played the Lead Frug Girl, Becky Pearcy, Aimee Fardell Willson - who also played Suzanne, Eva Sheppard - who also played a Fandango Girl, Francesca Foster - who also played Betsy, Bethany Wear, Katie Lawson - who also played Frenchy, Amy Wicks - who also played Carmen, David Page, Ben Hale, Max Fuller, Alice Cammell - who also played a Fandango Girl, Megan Singleton, Nadia Potter, Reema Frost and Stephen Mura, who also gets to show off the higher part of his register in "Weddings" with Sandy C Lane.

Directed by Alysha Gomes, assisted Tom Samuels. From start to finish this was a smooth show. The decision to not have any kind of static set was inspired with illuminated frames to create windows for the girls to advertise their business, as well as frames for shops, eating houses, the lift, dressing rooms and everything else. Not only is this a very slick decision but it makes for swift positioning and removal of the various scenes.

Samuel Holden choreographs one of Bob Fosse's most famous musicals; Bob Fosse, for those who don't know, is one of the most famous Director/Choreographers with a particular style in choreography. Sam has brought this style to life with these moves, especially the armography, which I always associate with Fosse. The big dance numbers like "Rhythm Of Life", "I Always Cry At Weddings", "Big Spender", "Rich Man's Frug" look spectacular.

Musical Director is Charlotte Daniel. This show has the most exquisite soundtrack with big belters like “Big Spender”, “If My Friends Could See Me Now”, "I Always Cry At Weddings" and the infuriatingly catchy “Rhythm Of Life” and oozes style and glamour. I noticed what an integral part of this soundtrack the drums are, and Helen Shelton made sure that this sound packed a punch. The whole band sounded fantastic creating that wonderful Sixties vibe.

In charge of the lighting design and operation is Stephen Greatorex, and I know that I give sound and light a hard time in my reviews, but apart from one spotlight that was not on the actor - maybe the actor was in the wrong place, I loved this lighting design. It was exciting and colourful, creating a true psychedelic look and feel.

The sound operation is down to three people, Rob Hill, Phil Simcox and Jack Clark. I can't remember any missed sound cues and any actors not mic'd up gave a depth to the sound from the stage, so I'm very happy to say I couldn't find anything negative to report about the sound operation.

There are three large screens at the back of the stage which are used to great effect, the design of which is by Kristian Cunningham and Alyshea Gomes.

Set Design is by A Stage For Hire, Kristian Thomas Company and Stephen Greatorex. Visually uncomplicated but really effective.

Wonderfully retro costumes with plenty of monochrome designs side by side with vivid splashes of colourful outfits. These are by Kristian Thomas Company led by Deborah McPherson, Megan Singleton and Jan Brockhurst.

The show's technical crew are Millie Gilks, Carol Lawson and Damon Pipes

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Produced by Kristian Cunningham.

Every piece of this musical theatre jigsaw was in just the right place on opening night, and the picture these pieces created was something extremely enjoyable to the eye and ear. My toes could not stop tapping all night.

"Sweet Charity" is at the Duchess Theatre in Long Eaton until Saturday 16 December.

Photos by Betty Gamble Photography