MusicalNorth East & YorkshireReview

The Donkey, The Whippet and the Giant Leek – Customs House, South Shields

Reviewer: Winifred Wynn

Writers: Graeme Thompson and Tom Kelly

Music: Eric Boswell

An evening spent at the theatre with friends is always a joy. To spend it with friends enjoying local music sung by local vocalists and penned by local writers is a double or even a triple joy. Thus was this evening at the Customs House South Shields when local talent was on display.

The music of a local composer, Eric Boswell, is celebrated in a new show The Donkey, The Whippet and the Giant Leek, written by local playwrights Tom Kelly and Graeme Thompson.

An appreciative audience is entertained by local opera stars Graeme Danby and Valerie Reid who had enjoyed the friendship of Boswell during his lifetime. They are accompanied on piano by Andrew Richardson, another highly rated local talent.

Unnamed 2

A show with whippet and leek in the title can surely only mean one thing – that this was going to be about our local North East. This show certainly does that when it celebrates songs of the North East by Boswell.

This new show tells the story of the amazing life of local composer Eric Boswell who was born in Millfield, Sunderland in 1921. He composed both popular songs and folk music and it is his folk songs that are being celebrated in this show. His most famous popular writing was the Christmas song Little Donkey originally sung by Gracie Fields.

His life is portrayed from his early days in Sunderland to his final years in Northumberland where he died at the age of eighty eight. Although he was successful as a composer of commercial songs for stars such as, Matt Monroe and Gracie Fields, Boswell thought his most rewarding work was to be found in his penning of the North East themed folk songs.

Danby and Reid bring to life his story through a selection of songs and anecdotes. The show begins with a brief, lively medley of piano music performed by the talented Andrew Richardson. This reviewer would have enjoyed hearing more from Richardson as his musical talent throughout was clearly portrayed.

The backdrop to the show uses photographs and film. This, although interesting, is at times distracting and sometimes out of focus.

The second act begins with an amusing piece about a whippet. The audience enjoy the song accompanied by a very realistic puppet of a whippet. This sequence could have been done with more speed, as time was taken to go off stage for the prop and then the slow reveal of the puppet from a carrier bag.

This show is full of nostalgia and the powerful voices of Danby and Reid hold the interest of the audience. Danby makes wonderful use of the Geordie dialect and his voice soars with the humorous lyrics. There is an amusing moment when Reid also tries her hand, or should one say vocals, at the Geordie accent much to the amusement of the audience.

This celebration of Boswell’s work clearly shows that he was a very talented composer with a great deal of wit. His sharp wit reminded this reviewer of the writings of Helen Russell another highly talented local writer who has celebrated her hundredth birthday this week.

The show ends with a sing along of Little Donkey by an enthusiastic audience and is followed by a lively and interesting Q&A led by Danby. During this evening’s session it was clear that a sprinkling of tonight’s audience had seen this show more than once during this run which shows that interest in all things local is very much alive, especially in the North East.

Speaking to Graeme Thompson, the playwright, after the show it was revealed that plans are already in place for a new show in 2025. Tonight’s show was the penultimate of the tour and the final performance takes place at the Live Theatre Newcastle.

Runs until 21st June 2024.

The Reviews Hub Score

Local musical entertainment

Show More
Photo of The Reviews Hub - Yorkshire & North East

The Reviews Hub - Yorkshire & North East

The Yorkshire & North East team is under the editorship of Jacob Bush. The Reviews Hub was set up in 2007. Our mission is to provide the most in-depth, nationwide arts coverage online.

Related Articles

Back to top button
The Reviews Hub