Blitz! was a hit
Review of Blitz! written by Steve Abbott
Gainsborough theatre-goers were treated to a living history lesson of the Second World War when GAOS recently performed Lionel Bart’s Blitz! The show has been hailed as Bart’s best musical with lots of catchy songs, giving the chorus plenty to do, and lots of minor roles, giving a sense of involvement for all the members of the Company rather than just the major principals.
Sadly Blitz! was totally over-shadowed by its predecessor Oliver! and has rarely been seen in London’s west-End.
Set in Petticoat Lane, London at the height of the Blitz the plot tells of a Community’s fight against the tragedies and traumas of war, The show centred round the Blitzstein and Locke families with a constant feud between Herring stall owner Mrs Blitzstein (Elizabeth Roberts) and Greengrocer Mr Locke (Ashley Wingham). These two were only talking to each other through her daughter Carol(Sarah Norvock) and his son Georgie (Adam Saunby). Inevitably these two fall in love and overcoming the tragedy that befalls them both helps Mrs Blitzstein forget her prejustices and welcome Georgie into the family. She declares that that she is more proud of him than her own son, Harry (Alan Trevor), who shows his colours as a womanisng, charmer, and a petty criminal who deserts from the army.
A packed Trinity Arts centre audience were drawn into the show as soon as the Overture started when the curtain opened to reveal the stage depicting the Bank London Underground Station. The lights then went out, sirens sounded and members from the cast poured in from the all entrances of auditorium and onto the stage to launch into the rousing opening number. It was all the more convincing on the night I went as some bemused late-comers and an usherette were caught-up in the action!
The main characters were then introduced to the audience when Mr Locke’s friend Ernie Nearmiss (David Walters) came on with soldiers Georgie and Harry, who are on embarkation leave. Harry has brought married lady Joyce Matthews (Kelly Scarsebrook) with him (who he picked-up on the train home) much to the annoyance of his on-off girlfriend Elsie (Vicky Toward) and his Mum. Georgie confides in Harry about his love for Carol.
The sound of bombing is all around and the residents crowd around the wireless where the news is not good. However, hope shines through as they all join in with Vera Lynn singing The Day After Tomorrow. The devastation affects all the community with the Lockes and Blitzsteins taking in other families when their homes are wiped out. The community spirit shines through as the Company heartily sing Who’s This Geezer Hitler. The next day the Children sing a lively rendition of We’re Going To The Country and board the train to take them out of the city. Carol and Georgie have a night out together and pledge their love for each other, combining well in Opposites – a lovely duet, which displayed their fine voices and featured an elegant dance sequence. With the sound of bombing over head, they encounter Mrs Blitzstein, who is looking for Harry and split-up to help her find him, agreeing that Carol will see him off at the train station the next day. Mrs B sees Harry first – out with some dubious characters carrying a load of stolen lead. As Harry scuttles away, the sound of the bombing increases and hearing an awful cry, Mrs B heads for the direction where Carol went. When the morning comes and the soldiers board the train, there is no sign of Harry and Mrs B arrives just in time to see Georgie off on Carol’s behalf, after spending the night at the hospital.
The second half opens with the plaintive song Faraway sung by a blinded, Carol who has not heard anything from Georgie for some time. The mood is lightened a little by the traders selling their wares singing Petticoat Lane On A Sunday Morning which they follow up with Down The Lane, which heralds the child evacuees returning from the country. The children play together and sing the lusty Mums And Dads, which was very-funny and heartily-sung – one of the best songs in the show. Mrs Blitzstein pours her heart out to her late husband with So Tell Me Jack, a powerfully delivered emotional song, in which she updates him with what has happened to the family since his demise. A drunken Georgie appears – he has been invalided out of the army and is a changed-man, bitter after his experiences in the warzone and confused over his feelings for Carol.
Mrs B reunites him with Carol and a wedding is quickly organised. Mr Locke and Mr Nearmiss, unhappy at Georgie marrying “the enemy” are in a quandary whether to go and only decide to go at the
last minute. Harry re-appears and brings a present for the happy couple repenting his ways and intending to do what Duty Calls. However, before he has chance to give himself up Mr Nearmiss reports him to the authorities and he is arrested. Everyone disperses and Mrs B muses over her retirement
after handing over her Pickled-Herring stall to the newly weds when there are load bangs and smoke before the stage goes into darkness. Mr Locke is first on the scene and assists
the firemen in retrieving a body from the debris only to find himself berated by Mrs B – nothing changes even with a war going on!
Blitz! was a good inventive production – well-directed by Greg Snape and featured plenty of lively dancing, splendidly choreographed by Brent Grantham-Rae, to suit the various moods of the songs. The Orchestra, though a little loud at times, were well controlled by Musical Director Gerard Mooney and produced a good sound. The Musical Numbers were well-sung
by the Company – my own particularly favourites were: Our Hotel, Leave It To The Ladies sung by Elsie (Vicky Toward), Duty Calls. Mums and Dads, Who Wants To Settle Down and the poignant The Day After Tomorrow. Both the Lighting and Sound were used to good effect and the special effects, especially during the bombing raids, were generally well-timed and very effective.
The costumes suited the period well and with quite a large Company it was obvious that a lot of work had gone into getting them right.
The Principals were well cast. Elizabeth Roberts gave a commanding performance as Mrs Blitzstein and dominated the stage as the character should. Her singing was strong, whether she was leading the chorus or singing the more complex numbers like So Tell Me Jack or Tell Him, Tell Her. Despite the subject matter there is much humour in the show – much of this coming from the pairing of Mr Locke (Ashley Wingham) and Mr Nearmiss (David Walters) – particularly the latter. Alan Trevor displayed an easy charm as Harry and put his songs over well. Teenagers Adam Saunby (Georgie) and Sarah Norvock (Carol) both played their characters to a tee and sang well too. Above all the performers really looked as if they were enjoying their selves.
Blitz! was definitely a hit with the audience too as many went humming the tunes.
