For the first time in a long time, The Theatre Bears saw a show together.
Big Fish, which was still in previews when we saw, is currently playing at The Other Palace. It tells the tale of Edward Bloom (Kelsey Grammar), a man who tells his son, Will (Michael Seadon-Young), increasingly bizarre, yet wonderful, tales about his life. Whilst these tales are based on fact, they are littered with fiction and Will seeks to find the truths behind the words, after his father is hospitalised and he discovers a secret his parents had been hiding.
Grammar, making his London stage debut but previously seen on Broadway in Finding Neverland, was brilliant in his portrayal of older Edward Bloom. His stage presence was undeniable and his comedic timing was brilliant. His experience in the profession showed and his chemistry on stage with his co-stars was believable and relatable. We would definitely love to see him in a different production in the future.
Jamie Muscato (Dogfight) was powerful as young Edward, his dance skills strong and vocals perfect throughout. You couldn't help but love this cheeky guy who, at the heart of everything, wants what is best for everyone. Having seen Muscato in Dogfight, Panda had high hopes for his performance in this, and he completely exceeded expectations. His acting and vocals have improved, and his ability to transform between roles is amazing to see.
Seadon-Young (Billy Elliot) led the cast in many of the key emotional scenes and it was clear he was comfortable doing so. His characters feelings were portrayed perfectly and he truly understood and connected with his character on different levels. In act two, during a duet with Grammar, the audience laughed along with a heavy heart, as he finally gave in to his imagination and connected with his sick father. There wasn’t many dry eyes left in the room. Seadon-Young has a rare talent that connects with everyone in a room, and I personally can't wait to see what he has planned next.
Clare Burt and Frances McNamee were both superb in their supporting roles as the wives of both Edward and Will. Their duet in act one was perfectly performed and the vocals beautiful. Their chemistry with their respective husbands was believable and they bounced off of each other in various scenes, a clear sign that they truly understand and relate to their characters.
Besides a few staging mistakes during busier dance numbers, which we would expect during the teething days of previews, the show was slick and beautifully portrayed. The use of computer graphics and sound effects was spot on and the props used made you feel like you truly were transporting through time with the characters. This is a show that needs to be seen to be believed, as explaining it really doesn’t do it justice.
If you have tickets, you're in for a treat. If you haven't, we recommend you do what you can to get some. This is one production that should not be missed.
Big Fish, which was still in previews when we saw, is currently playing at The Other Palace. It tells the tale of Edward Bloom (Kelsey Grammar), a man who tells his son, Will (Michael Seadon-Young), increasingly bizarre, yet wonderful, tales about his life. Whilst these tales are based on fact, they are littered with fiction and Will seeks to find the truths behind the words, after his father is hospitalised and he discovers a secret his parents had been hiding.
Grammar, making his London stage debut but previously seen on Broadway in Finding Neverland, was brilliant in his portrayal of older Edward Bloom. His stage presence was undeniable and his comedic timing was brilliant. His experience in the profession showed and his chemistry on stage with his co-stars was believable and relatable. We would definitely love to see him in a different production in the future.
Jamie Muscato (Dogfight) was powerful as young Edward, his dance skills strong and vocals perfect throughout. You couldn't help but love this cheeky guy who, at the heart of everything, wants what is best for everyone. Having seen Muscato in Dogfight, Panda had high hopes for his performance in this, and he completely exceeded expectations. His acting and vocals have improved, and his ability to transform between roles is amazing to see.
Seadon-Young (Billy Elliot) led the cast in many of the key emotional scenes and it was clear he was comfortable doing so. His characters feelings were portrayed perfectly and he truly understood and connected with his character on different levels. In act two, during a duet with Grammar, the audience laughed along with a heavy heart, as he finally gave in to his imagination and connected with his sick father. There wasn’t many dry eyes left in the room. Seadon-Young has a rare talent that connects with everyone in a room, and I personally can't wait to see what he has planned next.
Clare Burt and Frances McNamee were both superb in their supporting roles as the wives of both Edward and Will. Their duet in act one was perfectly performed and the vocals beautiful. Their chemistry with their respective husbands was believable and they bounced off of each other in various scenes, a clear sign that they truly understand and relate to their characters.
Besides a few staging mistakes during busier dance numbers, which we would expect during the teething days of previews, the show was slick and beautifully portrayed. The use of computer graphics and sound effects was spot on and the props used made you feel like you truly were transporting through time with the characters. This is a show that needs to be seen to be believed, as explaining it really doesn’t do it justice.
If you have tickets, you're in for a treat. If you haven't, we recommend you do what you can to get some. This is one production that should not be missed.