Gscene News Archive

Seven brides for seven brothers at the Theatre Royal is based on the book by Lawrence Kasha and David Landay with music by Gene de Paul & lyrics by Johnny Mercer?.

It’s about a man, Adam, who needs, then finds a wife, Milly, to marry and then tricks her into looking after his (previously unmentioned) six redneck brothers.

Grounds for annulment you might think, but this is musicals and Oregon in 1850. It sounds like a recipe for disaster in our postmodern times. However Susan McFadden as Milly soon pussy whips the six boys into shape, teaching ‘em manners an’ dancing and transforms them into prime hunks of bachelors & neatly dovetails them into her social group of sweet but frustrated town maidens.

It is quite exactly what a musical should be, it leaves you humming a tune and smiling from an evenings entertainments well spent.

Opening with some sepia toned projections that made me feel queasy my attention was soon caught by a complicated and funny dance number with about 30 actors on stage.

It’s a whirlwind of springing dresses, dancing breaches, back-flipping actors and tap along songs, and this reviewer happily suspended his cynicism about the sexist plot each time Susan McFadden (winner of ITV1’s Grease is the Word) who plays the lead role – Milly- opened her mouth.

Untainted as I am by reality TV, I gave her a fair chance and she exceed my expectations, each time I started wondering about the plot; kidnapped brides? avalanches? weeks passing in a wink? babies from nowhere? She dragged me away from my idle speculation with her charming voice and reminded me of what a pleasure it is to have some feel good factor in this climate of misery and dullness. 7 for 7 is a tonic.

The dancing and chorography, although at times feeling a little squashed on the Theatre Royal stage was a joy to watch and the complicated & rustic choreographies by Chris Hockings made me, and the rest of the audience smile.

McFadden is lovely as she lifts the six Pontipee brothers from their knuckle scraping, grunting & semi naked apedom to the half heights of Russian Bolshoi ballet in one easy song, it’s a bit quick, but it does what it says on the tin.

The brothers played by Oliver Barrow, Richard Dale, David Barrett, Danny Coates, Craig Tyler and Gavin Lee Rees are sexy and are accomplished in all round comedy, semi-naked dancing and cocksure corny singing.

Steven Houghton (Bugs, London’s Burning) playing the lead male (Adam) and Susan McFadden’s connection seemed a little broken in the second half, but the chirpy ensemble song and dance numbers soon brought the audience back.

Time passes quickly in this musical – suddenly it’s spring- but the whirling petticoats and energetic star jumps of the accomplished cast makes you forget about the convoluted chronological plot. Like the avalanche that closes the first act the plot starts to tumble a bit in the second half with guilt, reflection and shotgun weddings appearing one after another like a Mormon on poppers, but with neat scene changes and boundless energy this production, played for light comedic laughs with the odd knowing in-joke, is a feel-good production that should have you smiling all the way home.

All the classic songs 'Bless your Beautiful Hide', 'Goin' Courtin', 'Sobbin' Women’ and 'Love Never Goes Away' were included and fans of the film and this musical will undoubtedly love the high kicking, energetic atmosphere.

I judge a musical (is there any other way?) by the number of folk who are humming a tune on the way out. Everyone was at it and I was one of them, ‘bless your beautiful hide…’

Seven Brides For Seven Brother is at Theatre Royal Brighton ?
till Sat May 2, ?Evenings 7.45pm Thursday & Saturday matinees 2.30pm
Box Office 08700 606 650
Groups Hotline 08700 602 516?
Tickets £19 - £29.50 ?
www.ambassadortickets.com/brighton