Producing a hit movie live on stage is either a recipe for success – like Dirty Dancing – or a recipe for disaster.
When The Wedding Singer began at the Congress Theatre on the first night I thought it was going to fall into the latter category. Although the choreography and dancing were brilliant, it was too American, too loud and you couldn't hear everything tha
t was said or sung.
But by the end of the show I was standing cheering and clapping like everyone else in the audience. The show grows on you and you forget the brash American accents that seemed to grate when it began. The sheer exuberance and energy of the talented cast gets to you and carries through what becomes a fun evening.
The American references which the Brits will never understand and the penultimate scene which turns into sheer farce with the star look-alikes heading for a convention don't matter. You warm to Jonathan Wilkes as The Wedding Singer jilted on his wedding day and Julie, the girl he subsequently loves, superbly played by Natalie Casey.
But it is Jodie Jacobs as Julie's friend Holly who really stands out belting out the numbers. Special mention must go to Tricia Deighton who plays Robbie's gran Rosie. She brings the house down with her performance of Move That Thang in Act two which she sings with Nick Hayes, the well cast Boy George look-alike.
This show needs some tightening up and if you haven't seen the movie the story is a bit difficult to follow in Act One but it's good entertainment and you'll be clapping along to the songs at the end.
Amanda WilkinsThe Wedding Singer, Congress Theatre, Eastbourne. Until Saturday May17 Box Office 01323 412000
The full article contains 296 words and appears in Sussex Express Series newspaper.