New Songs and Additional Music/Lyrics: Neil Bartram
Director: Candice Edmunds
Set and Illusion Design: Jamie Harrison
With more musical song scores than any other songwriting team in film history and armed with the catchy cadences that help to make Disney musicals so popular, in 1971 the Sherman brothers set out to create another magical world for children. Bedknobs and Broomsticks was devised with the same spectacular blend of animation and live action in Mary Poppins; however, I fear much like the musical’s reception, the production was met with mixed reviews from its critics.
The story begins in wartime Britain and three orphans, Charlie, Carrie and Paul Rawlins are being evacuated from London to the countryside. After travelling by train, the children arrive in County Dorset and are placed in the reluctant care of Miss Eglantine Price. Despite initially planning to flee their new home, their minds are changed when they see Miss Price astride a broomstick – floating through the air! With a world of magic and wonder at their fingertips they engage in some ‘negotiality’ and embark upon the adventure of a lifetime.
The set is really and truly magnificent, as are the puppets, props and floating phenomena. Without a doubt it is the most fantastical set that has been realised since Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Drury Lane, which is no coincidence given that Jamie Harrison was responsible for the illusions in that production too. It must be said that the flight scenes (both broomstick and bed) were seamless and, particularly for the children in the audience, entirely magical. The same standard of finesse was realised in Gabriella Slade’s costume design – there was a real ‘Disney magic’ created, particularly in the numbers ‘Portobello Road’ and ‘The Beautiful Briny’.
In contrast to the spectacle that was the set, the cast were somewhat underwhelming on the night of this review and there didn’t seem to be a strong spark between the actors on stage. Although the individual performances were decent, the lack of chemistry must have been a fairly disappointing experience for the musical theatre enthusiasts in the audience. The children, however, were overwrought with joy due to the catchy, if not slightly monotonous, songs; what also seemed to evoke laughter were the ‘no-poopie’ jokes, which for those over ten may have worn thin.
This musical has its place in a post-covid world, after all it reminds us to enjoy the little things and embrace the magic in the everyday. But the chances of finding its place in the halls of musical theatre fame, is uncertain.
Runs until 5 February 2022
