Reviews

West Side Story at The Redgrave Theatre in Bristol review

Posted on: 2015-03-25

BMYP?s performance of West Side Story is slick. The whole cast give solid performances; of special note are Eamonn Buckley portraying Riff as a lovable tough guy and Sophie Scroggs who gives a suitably fiery performance as Anita.

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West Side Story changed the face of musical theatre when it opened on Broadway and having seen some vibrant productions both in the UK and in New York I can understand why. If you have the opportunity make sure to catch the show at Bristol's Redgrave Theatre between 24 and 28 March 2015. 

Based on William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story has been running since 1957 and its subsequent 1961 movie adaptation was a multi-Oscar winning triumph. Today it remains popular with the masses; the show’s enduring success coming from it’s exploration of the themes of love, hostility, racism and violence that are as relevant today as when it was first written.

The musical explores the intense rivalry between two gangs; the Polish-American Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Two groups whose lives begin to increasingly interweave as an ill-fated love affair ignites between Tony, former leader of the Jets and Maria, whose brother is leader of the Sharks.

It’s an exhilarating and emotionally charged story and I was excited to see Bristol Musical Youth Productions (BMYP) version. Hoping for an original take on the tale from this amateur group, I was not disappointed. Their interpretation, whilst staying true to the heart of the original has been moved forward a few decades and is set in 1980s New York. This production is colourful, energetic, at times funny and at others achingly poignant.

BMYP’s performance is slick. From the opening scene with groups of Jets and Sharks pouring onto the simple graffiti painted set and immediately engaging in a dance battle over control of the stage, through a number of high energy fights and tightly choreographed dance pieces it carries the audience along with pace and efficiency to it’s terrible conclusion.

As young, love-struck Maria, Sophie Thorne plays her with vulnerability yet a steely determination, demonstrating a powerful voice and showing star quality in her scenes with Tom Royall who delivers a strong and emotional performance as Tony, the man who left behind the machismo of The Jets only for a sense of brotherhood to draw him back into gang warfare against The Sharks, despite the fact his beloved Maria is one of them.

The whole cast give solid performances; of special note are Eamonn Buckley portraying Riff as a lovable tough guy and Sophie Scroggs who gives a suitably fiery performance as Anita, particularly in evidence during her cheeky, witty, foot-stomping, skirt-twirling performance on ‘America’.

The sung ensemble pieces are fantastic. Supported by incredible music from the orchestra this outstanding young cast deliver mesmerising renditions of ‘Maria’ and ‘Tonight’, a gloriously fun ‘America’ and a suitably poignant version of the tear-jerking ‘Somewhere’. With highlights like these the few weaknesses of the occasional missed note or the slip of an accent can be forgiven.

Director/choreographer Vicki Klein does a sterling job of bringing out the best in her cast. For an amateur production, the performers look professional and provide the audience with a highly entertaining piece of musical theatre.

This is a timeless story of romance and tragedy, told by way of some unforgettable songs and incredible dance routines. The show runs at The Redgrave Theatre until Saturday 28th March, catch it if you can!

4/5

Reviewed by Sarah-Jane Howard for 365Bristol - the leading events and entertainment website for Bristol.

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