"The Producers" by ESNA 60

Loughborough Town Hall.

ESNA celebrate their 60th Anniversary by staging Mel Brooks' comedy musical "The Producers".

In New York in 1959, Max Bialystock opens "Funny Boy", a musical version of Hamlet. It is terrible, and the show closes after one performance. The next day, Leo Bloom, a mousy accountant, comes to Max's office to audit his books. He tells Max that if he produces a musical which flops, it is financially better for him as he wouldn't have to pay back his investors. After a bit of trepidation Leo decides to help Max with this plan because Leo has always wanted to be a Broadway producer. They find the perfect "flop" and set about getting it staged, but all does not go as planned for the pair....

Max finds the sure-fire flop that would offend people of all races, creeds, and religions: "Springtime for Hitler: A Gay Romp with Adolf and Eva at Berchtesgaden" written by Franz Liebkind, which Max describes as "a love letter to Hitler". And so to getting a director on board and that is the job of the very camp Roger Debris and his sidekick Carmen Ghia.

Leo is worried, and by the looks of Debris gang, so he should. But worry not, because in steps the uber sexy Swedish bombshell, Ulla Inga Hansen Benson Yansen Tallen Hallen Svaden Swanson, or Ulla as she is referred to in the show. Ulla just happens to have a beautiful voice and an equally attractive body as well, which does not go unnoticed by both our red-blooded Producers.

All Max needs now is a bevy of backers to pump money into the show, and enter a whole host of elderly ladies on sticks and zimmers!

What could possibly go right?

Max is played by Gareth Busson and I wouldn't be surprised if in the wings there's some kind of oxygen tank on hand because Gareth very rarely takes a breath throughout, especially in the scenes with the old ladies in Old Lady Land and the scene when in jail and he gives a run through of everything that happened in the first act, complete with a nice up to date touch referring to the interval. 

Leo is played by William Evans-Ramsey, who I last saw two years ago in "The Assassins" is an absolute diamond decision of casting as the over nervous and excitable Bloom. the role is an extremely energetic role and Will not once appears ever short of breath. The pairing of Gareth and Will is perfect as they bounce off each other, sometimes quite literally. The slapstick element of the part comes naturally to such a wonderful character actor like Will, and his voice reminds me at times of the late Jerry Lewis. His vocal ability has only got stronger since the last time I heard him as well. You can see that this role is a labour of love for Will.

Ulla is played by Hannah Oxspring. Mel Brooks really knew how to write characters and Ulla is another great example of this in this show. A saucy performance but don't let that distract you from her voice and dance skills because these are on fire as well! She's got. She flaunted it!

Roger De Bris is played by Rowan Dixon. There may be a tendency to go slightly over the top with this camp Director, so why not go, just slightly over the top as Rowan does, but what a joyful performance. The decision to have him leading some of the cast in a conga style chain in front of the front row of the audience was brilliant, and his Hitler performance was wonderfully camp.

Carmen Ghia is played by Jack Cooling and he managed to make me smile as soon as he sashayed his way on set to open the door to Max and Leo; the fun simply escalated from there with Carmen's facial expressions and the physicality of Carmen.

Franz Liebkind is played by James Daw. Brilliantly nutty, and I love the scene with the pigeons, who just seemed to have minds of their own! Brooks loves slapstick and the amount of slapstick in this musical is plentiful especially in the scene with Franz, Max and Leo and the song "Der Guten Tag Hop Clop" where timing was perfect.

Aaron Murray played the commanding role of the Stormtrooper, and like many of the others also popped up various guises throughout the show.

Liz Bristowe was Hold Me, Touch Me, one of Max's main show backers who likes to act out various "scenarios" with Max in payment for her "payment". Great fun.

The ensemble consist of Danielle Aley, Matt Barton-Ashcroft, James Bennett, Natasha Bryan, Janette De Voil, Philip De Voil, Becca Dobson, Jo Dring, Naomi Dring, Maisie Evans-Ramsey, Lewis Fenn Griffin, Clare Hazledine, Jarrod Makin, Rachel McLaughlin, Harriet North, Owen Patten, Dan Robinson, Nicola Scoggins, Jenny Stuttle, Martin Tailby, Alice Taylor and Holly Wilson.

Directed by Emma Adcock, every single one of this cast could not have been better cast in their character roles; it's obvious that Emma knows these actors well and what they are capable of, especially to bring out performances of the quality seen on stage at Loughborough Town Hall. Perfectly paced with the comedy well and truly centre stage.

Choreographed by Bronte Heller. There are some massive ensemble dance numbers in this show and the timing of the choreography, especially in the aforementioned numbers, only enhance the comedy within those scenes. The big dance numbers are of Hollywood style proportions and make you feel as if you're watching a touring production where this area of the production is concerned. Jenny Stuttle is Dance Captain and what a job she has done to help create these results.

The set is courtesy of Scenic Projects and looks fantastic. Those who made the set work as well as it did are Simon pack (Technical Manager), Duncan Gadsby (Stage Manager) and Dave Warren (Flying), all adding to the smooth look and operation of the scene changes. 

Musical Director is Vicki Hing, so straight away I knew from the moment that I opened the show programme that the sound was going to big and powerful; I was not wrong. As with the choreography the sound and close harmonies of the vocalists in the ensemble numbers reminded me of those big West end touring shows where the volume and clarity of the vocals hit you tsunami style. The sixteen strong orchestra sounded nothing short of amazing.

Sound is by Ryan Heath Audio. I really can't remember a time when the sound design and operation at Loughborough Town Hall was not short of brilliant, and this evening was no different. Crystal clear with cut glass clarity and at a perfect volume.

Lighting is by James Cladingboel and was perfectly operated.

The amount of props in this show is incalculable from the audience. Props Queen Sally Bruton.

The costumes are all incredible and included everything from the glamour of an Esther Williams Hollywood musical all the way down to the Village People outfits. Liz Bristowe and Leo's Theatrical Costumiers did ESNA proud.

The rest of the Production Crew consist of Hannah bailey, Lynn Bailey, Kirstie Bennett, Ed Dring, Adam Green, Josh Hill, Malcolm Nurcombe, Jo Pack, Cameron Sim, Richard York and Colin Wilson. Without this group, would the show be as smooth and successful?

The last time I saw a production of "The Producers" was six years ago. Oh how I've missed this fantastically funny show. Thank you ESNA.

"The Producers" is a sure fire hit and is on at Loughborough Town Hall until Saturday 11 October.