There is a plethora of “new” musicals out there that are based on hit films. Sister Act, Back to the Future, Pricilla – Queen of the desert, are all examples of theatre jumping on the movie/musical cross over bandwagon. The Wedding Singer is one such musical and it fits perfectly on the stage.
Based on the 1998 film starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, The Wedding Singer tells the story of a struggling yet successful wedding singer, Robbie Hart, played by the very watchable Stuart McDiarmid (Oliver, Sweeney Todd) who’s job it is to entertain wedding guests, mostly drunk, using his singing and song writing talents. After being left standing at the alter by his fiancée Linda, played by the vocally talented and sassy Harriet Marsland (9-5, In the Heights) Robbie gives up on wedding singing and indeed love. Always the bridesmaid and all that.
He encounters Julia, played by the excellent Chloe Turner (Rent, Legally Blonde) a waitress at the same weddings Robbie performs at, who attempts to console Robbie after he decides to quit weddings and inspires him to concentrate on his song writing which she believes he has real talent in. Julia’s boyfriend and soon to be finance Glen, an 80’s yuppy, big time banker and ladies’ man, played by Liam McNally (The Producers, The Addams Family) is all about the cash and the success and it’s soon clear that both him and Julia are worlds apart.
Robbie and Julie get closer as the story progresses with them meeting at events that Robbie sings at including the ill-fated wedding of Glen and Julia in Las Vegas. As with all love stories, I don’t have to tell you how this ends. You know how this ends; but how they get there is a wonderful, comedic and a musical journey that will have you laughing, crying and definitely emphasising with our protagonists.
Robbie’s band mates who are looking for fame and fortune outside of weddings, are a joy to watch. Sammy and George (because he dresses like Boy George!), played the very funny Lewis Doley (Legally Blonde, The Producers) and Robbie Love (Rent, The Witches of Eastwick) are Robbie’s wingmen and wonderful to watch on stage. Supporting Julia through her romantic trials is Holly, played by the very talented Lisa Colvin-Grieve in her first principle musical theatre role.
Don’t worry if you haven’t watched the film. You don’t need to. It’s an easy story to follow with some lovely moments. Robbie and Julia are a perfect match vocally and both bring a professional performance. Overall, this is a good show. It isn’t a very technically pleasing visually and this performance was plagued by sound problems which was a shame as the cast gave 100% but this is a great night out and worth the reasonable ticket price.
As always, these shows wouldn’t be half as good if the band were awful. Musical Director Chris Corcoran leads an impressive collection of musicians worthy of any production.
Bournville Musical Theatre Company’s production of The Wedding Singer runs till 21st May at The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham. Tickets available from here
