REVIEW | Bedknobs and Broomsticks The Musical.

Photo: Johan Persson

Bedknobs and Broomsticks The Musical

★★★★★

Theatre in the UK is full of great Disney classics being adapted for the stage. Shows like The Lion King have been bringing in audiences to the West End since 1999, Mary Poppins at Prince Edward, Beauty and the Beast is on a UK Tour and we also have the brand new production of Frozen at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. It's an exciting, encouraging way of inspiring children through theatre. 

Bedknobs and Broomsticks is certainly a lesser-known of the Disney classic films out there. The Disney musical by the Sherman brothers was originally a backup for the studio when negotiations for the rights to Mary Poppins weren't looking good. It has a garbled plot, weaving between wartime London, the countryside, a deep-sea fantasy world and a tropical island, and all these adventures are thanks to an enchanted flying bed like no other. This 1971 film is charming, but definitely slightly bizarre!

This new stage version includes additional songs by Neil Bartram, whilst Brian Hill's book introduces emotional jeopardy for Eglantine Price and the three evacuees, the 'Rawlins' children that quickly capture her heart. Little do these young children know when they meet the mysterious Eglantine Price that they are about to undertake a magical adventure like no other. 

Photo: Johan Persson

Bedknobs and Broomsticks has been certainly been given a sprinkle of Disney magic, with its jaw-dropping set and illusions from Jamie Harrison. Throw in the puppetry skills, lighting effects and physical movement and it's a perfect representation of 21st-century theatre and the new heights we can take with stories. I was in awe of how they managed to do so much with this story and capture what was so unforgettable about that film from 50 years ago. How does the bed rise up and glide over the stage? How does Eglantine manage to soar on her broomstick? And how on earth were the fish able to speak!?

The use of the sleight hand of puppetry is so slick and clever, especially the parts where Eglantine turns those who challenge her into fluffy rabbits. This musical really captures the beauty and wonder of imagination. It was well worth the wait to see! 

Photo: Johan Persson

But beyond this even the simple things like how they managed the set pieces were fantastic, the ever-moving and ever-evolving stage created a sensation of constant motion, unlike any other show I have experienced. You really felt that as the cast "moved" from one room to another, even though they had only taken a few steps on stage, a real change in the environment had taken place.

This cast are superb and are heavily involved in the pace and transitions between the many adventures that Bedknobs and Broomsticks capture. They are all incredibly skilled individuals who bring these diverse characters and the story truly to life. The ensemble are certainly the beating heart of this production, there's no doubt about that.  

Leading the cast is Dianne Pikington. I adored how she carries the show, she shines in this role and is able to channel her inner Dame Angela Landsbury whilst putting her own touch on it. She is vocally fantastic and a joy to watch throughout, her rendition of 'The Age of Not Believing' gave me goosebumps. The Rawlins Children (Evie Lightman, Conor O'Hara Jasper Hawes) do a fantastic job at keeping a consistent level of energy in their delivery, especially when they spend most of the show on the stage. There's nothing quite like experiencing Rob Madge on that stage though as Norton, a very northern fish. I witnessed them live their dream in that role and it left a lump in my throat. 

This production makes us believe in the magic of theatre and what escapism is. A real must-see on the stage for the entire family and those people who want just want to bob along on the bottom of the beautiful briny sea!