"Bonnie & Clyde"

Nottingham Arts Theatre Youth Group.

Nottingham Arts Theatre.

And just when you thought I was all out of gush, think again because here's yet another Youth Group production that is as good as any professional production. It was hot outside but that heat was thrown into the shade by this hotter than hot show.

At the height of the Great Depression, West Texas' Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow went from two small-town zeroes to America's most feared heroes, and Texas law enforcement's worst nightmares.

When Bonnie and Clyde meet, their mutual cravings for excitement and fame immediately set them on a mission to chase their dreams.

Their bold and reckless behaviour turns the young lovers' thrilling adventure into a downward spiral, putting themselves and their loved ones, Buck Barrow - Clyde's brother - and Blanche, Buck's wife, in trouble with the law. Forced to stay on the run, the lovers resort to robbery and murder to survive. As the infamous duo's fame grows bigger, their inevitable end draws nearer.

The musical starts with young Bonnie & Clyde, showing where their roots started, and takes us all the way through to almost the end, and I say that because we all know the inevitable outcome but, with a few areas in this historical saga, we know what happens, we just don't need to see what happens.

Because this is such a big musical and there are so many people in the Youth Group, to give everyone a shot at being involved, some of the roles are shared over the four shows. Team Barrow and Team Parker.

Young Clyde is played by Isobelle Connellan and Rosie Jones. Isobelle performing on Thursday and Friday evening, and Rosie performing in both Saturday shows. Isobelle is a newcomer to NAT Youth and, may I say as with all of the other newer names in the production, fits right in with the more experienced young actors. Isobelle's timing in the "Bang Bang" section of the piece in the second act was timed beautifully, as was the first scene where we meet both young Bonnie and young Clyde.

Young Bonnie is played by Betty Metson-Scott. As with Isobelle, a lovely way to introduce the young, innocent but soon to be outlaw, who dreams of being a professional writer, singer and actor.

Clyde Barrow's role is shared by Zach Silcock and Jamie Adlam. Thursday evening I saw Jamie, who also returns on Saturday evening's performance, Zach taking the reins on Friday evening and Saturday matinee. I first met Jamie over three years ago when he played the role of Dodger in "Oliver", and I knew from that moment I was going to love every role he played because of the passion he shows for theatre. I have seen Jamie in several roles in the last three years and I was not wrong.

His voice has matured so well, incorporating a raspy growl in parts, the power and range in his voice has increased, as has the emotion that he delivers these wonderful songs with. His acting ability is supreme; the intimacy in the scenes with Morgan is so believable and tender. He morphs into every role and character he takes on; and he has raised his own personal bar another notch as Clyde Barrow. He even looks older with the way his hair is styled and how he holds himself on stage.

Bonnie Parker's role is shared by Connie Tegerdine and Morgan Spencer. Connie plays the role on Friday evening and Saturday matinee along with Zach. Here's another voice I loved, reminding slightly of the innocence of a young Olivia Newton-John, Morgan's voice blended so well with Jamie's. there's a lovely range of emotions given with this character, from the almost rattiness when Clyde kept interrupting her reading the poem that she had written about him, to the steadfastness loyalty and love she shows him.

Oli Sheard and Lenny Brady share the role of Buck Barrow, with Lenny taking the stage tonight, as well as on Saturday evening. Lenny is another actor that I have had the pleasure of reviewing over the years who manages to morph into the character he plays. Sometimes I forget how long I've been reviewing members of youth groups, and then comes a role that shows the real maturity of the actor; this is one example. Lenny has grown into a very strong leading man with an equally strong voice and a wonderfully nuanced performance showing in his face as he delivers this role.

Amelie Adams and Eloise Rees share the role of Blanche Barrow. Amelie performing on Friday evening and Saturday matinee. Eloise's "stand by your man" persona is joyful to watch as she follows Buck as he reunites with his on the run brother. What can I say, another strong singer as well as a very convincing character actor; but then I knew that as I've seen what Eloise is capable of by seeing her in quite a few other productions over the years.

Ted, who is slightly obsessive over Bonnie, which gives him an unhealthy reason to eradicate Clyde, is played by James Cragg and Rohan Badesha. Tonight, Thursday, I saw Rohan, a newer member of the group. Ted Hinton is part of the Sheriff's posse out to stop the murdering and robbing spree but that dangerous obsession overtakes Ted's view of the situation and gives the character an edge. You can tell that, even though he is new to the NAT Youth Group stage, he is not new to performing. His performance bio in the programme surprised me when reading the parts that he had played before.

Here is yet another strong set of vocals which has a lovely tenderness in the voice. There's a gorgeous duet called "You Can Do Better Than Him" which is sung after Bonnie has visited Clyde in jail, which shows the emotion that both men feel about Bonnie, but the blending of Jamie and Rohan's voices make for a dream duet. A powerful young actor who's not afraid to show the fire in his musical theatre belly.

Andrei Morris, another new face to NAT Youth audiences, plays Sheriff Schmid who is in charge of the operation to track down the outlaws and take them off the streets by whatever method in a smaller but quite ruthless character role. The newer members all have managed to slide perfectly comfortably alongside the actors who have been at NAT Youth, as if they had belonged there forever. Another very strong character actor, especially in the scene where Schmid questions Buck about Clyde's whereabouts. I spotted the steeliness and bubbling frustration in Schmid when he didn't get the answers he wanted from Buck. A brilliant standoff scene with Lenny and Andrei.

The Preacher is played by Esha Gidday and Eliza Szejda. Tonight I saw Eliza in the role. I love the sound of her voice and "God's Arms Are Always Open" and "Made In America" are real gospel infused gems, delivered with real soul and feeling. I also remember Esha from playing Pritti in "Everybody's Talking About Jamie" and commented at the time about the quality of her voice, so whichever young performer you see, you're in for a treat vocally.

Elizabeth Fitzgerald plays Bonnie's mum, Emma Parker. She's very protective of her daughter, especially when Bonnie turns up at the house with Clyde in tow, she drops into the conversation that Bonnie's husband would be home soon, just to make sure that Clyde got the lay of the land around the Parker residence, which puts Clyde on the back foot. A powerful maternal role that brings out the beauty of Elizabeth's acting arsenal.

Playing the Barrow boys parents are Lucy Jones as Cumie Barrow and Jack Kent as Henry Barrow. Lucy brings out the maternal instinct of the character whilst Jack delivers a role that shows great disappointment and silent anger for the men that his sons have become.

I also spotted Liam Brown as Bud, although I nearly didn't recognise him. Liam and Jamie I met on the same day three years ago, but how this young man has grown and matured. Liam is also Vocal captain.

Robert Murphy plays Frank Hamer, who was brought in by the police department to ramp up the capture of the pair of outlaws, but mainly Clyde. You could really see just how hungry Hamer was to get the job done; like a shark with a scent of blood in his nostrils!

The Salon Trio Eleanore, Trish and Stella are played by Izzy Hickling, Kayla Burgess and Lexie-Mae Hart and also were part of the ensemble.

The rest of the ensemble, who also doubled up in some roles, consist of Evie Jones, Connie Webster, Sophie Murphy, Caitlin Young, Roxy Smith, Zain Abed, Julian Magda, Ace Merkelt, Emily Kononowicz, Dahra Murchie O'Neill, Liam Brown and Robert Murphy,

The soundtrack to this musical has a bit of something for everyone with several earworms; try getting "Raise A Little Hell", "The World Will Remember Me", "When I Drive" and the comical "You're Going Back To Jail" out of your head!. There's blues, rock, country, bluegrass, gospel and a sprinkling of gorgeous ballads like "How 'Bout A Dance", "You Can Do Better Than Him", "Dyin' Ain't So Bad" and the wistful "Bonnie", which also shows off Jamie's ukelele playing.

Musical Director is Jonah Williams. I loved the authenticity the sound that this band created, which I am sure also added to the heat in the theatre, but the sound of the band and the acting on stage was no mirage. Jonah is like a master potter, creating beauty with his arrangements and with this group of vocalists. Just as well that this potter has the best clay to work with!

The band of Sam Ashcroft (Keyboard 2), Austin David (Guitar), Adam Case (Guitar 2), Charlie Cave (Bass), Abi Wilson (Drums/Percussion), Joey Johnstone (Fiddle), Bailey Charlesworth (Reed 1) and Katy Lane (Reeds 2) all sounded wonderful, making the score come alive and leap from the orchestra pit.

Directed by Keira Dorma-Hazell. This is no easy job because the story goes as fast as Clyde's driving, but as a passenger on this ride, I was quite surprised when the interval came around as quick as it did, I was so invested in the story. And I've seen this show three or four times in the past.

Choreographed by Jessica Royce, who is also the Production Manager and the Set Designer for this show. So many highlights where the choreography is concerned but I did enjoy the scene in the hairdressers and the song "You're Going Back To Jail".

Costumes are co-ordinated by Amanda Warriner and Connie Hatchett and are all excellent, the pin striped suits extremely stylish.

There's no mention in the programme about make up, but this area was another excellent area for me, especially the very realistic make up for Clyde after he had been beaten up in jail. I know that a lot of the actors, male and female now do their own, so if that's the case here, I applaud you all for the realism of the make up.

Props are sourced from Altrincham Garrick Theatre, Katie Bird and Nottingham Arts Theatre, and there are plenty to look out for all over the stage area. Loved how the car was constructed and that it looked so solid.

Sound Designer and Operator is George Wilson, who knows exactly what he is doing in this area, and that makes for a professionally sounding theatre show.

Lighting Design and Operation is by Oliver Read, and as with every show that Oliver is involved with in this area, it was stylish and brilliantly executed. Both Oliver and George are real gems in the Nottingham Arts Theatre.

Stage Manager is Cathy Bodman with Deputy Stage manager Jamie Clay. The Stage Crew, Rosa Lymer and Cleo Sims, swiftly and smoothly created and recreated the scenes unobtrusively, keeping a lovely continuous flow of action.

There are projections on the back wall of the stage, again adding to the story and moving the action on. These were created by Scenic Projections.

Every vocal from every actor was superb, with many of the cast showing vocal maturity beyond Youth Theatre, showing what brilliantly talented tutors they all have. The acting is fantastic delivered with realism and real intimacy, especially the face slapping scene. This really is a show not to be missed, and it was so nice to see many of the audience joining me in a standing ovation because it was so well deserved.

I think sometimes Youth Theatre is overlooked and under appreciated, and the last few weeks I have had the real joy to experience just what an excellent set of fantastically talented young actors Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire have. You do not have to travel to London to see amazing talent on stage, it's here right on your doorstep, at a fraction of the price as well.

"Bonnie & Clyde" will be raising a little hell at the Nottingham Arts Theatre until Saturday 11 July.

Photography by Martin Holtom.