Sign Guestbook
View Guestbook
Reviews of the Show
Reviews of the 2000/2001 Tour
Sat 24th June 2000, 6pm and 9pm, Wolverhampton
Thu 18th May 2000, 7.45pm, Guildford
Sat 13th May 2000, 6pm, Llandudno
Sat 25th March 2000, 5.30pm, Liverpool
Fri 10th March 2000, 8pm, Blackpool
Sat 4th March 2000, 6pm & 9pm, Chichester
Sat 22nd Jan 2000, 6pm & 9pm, Billingham
Fri 10th Dec 1999, 9pm, Sheffield
Sat 4th Dec 1999, 6pm, Cambridge
Mon 25th - Sat 30th Oct 1999, 8pm, Hanley
Sat 11th Sept 1999, 6pm, High Wycombe
Sat 25th July 1998 9pm, Sheffield
Reviews of New Tours
Due to some serious lack of time recently, I have sadly had to make the decision to stop writing the reviews - mainly because I don't even have time to go to any shows anymore!
(Return to menu)
Saturday 24th June 2000, 6pm and 9pm, Wolverhampton
If there had to be an end to the 1999/2000 UK tour, then there could not have been a better one than this. Wolverhampton was a lovely theatre that took this show to its heart, and created a warm, enthusiastic atmosphere for the final two performances of the season.
The first show was, as tradition dictates, a chance for everyone to have a giggle on and off stage, with practical jokes abounding. The "solo hat" appeared at every opportunity (courtesy of James Fromholtz), The Flumps theme tune rang out whilst Matthew Stokes was trying to make a speech (the joke being that Matthew's mum voiced The Flumps, although sadly I think I was the only person in the audience who got that one!), a frisbee got a starring role, the words to Flip, Flop, Fly took on new meaning, and the band managed to completely destroy the ending to Land of 1000 Dances by slowing the beat to a crawl. However, the audience took the pranks in good part, and laughed at every one of them.
As tradition also dictates, the final performance of the evening was the last chance ever for everyone involved to give it everything. And they certainly did. Sadly, because your errant reviewer has left it *far* too long between seeing the show and getting round to writing the review, the finer intricasies can't really but noted, but suffice it to say just this once that it was a glorious performance, which left several eyes in the house rather on the damp side. All casts make a transition during the run of this show, but the sheer depth of this particular transition was awesome. The show made a tentative beginning in High Wycombe, but it triumphed in the end as everyone involved grew into what they were doing. Eventually this tour took its place high up in the stars, and became one of the best that audiences ever had the privilege to witness coming from the stable of David Pugh Ltd. Congratulations to everyone involved on a wonderful tour, and on a personal level, thanks to each and every one of you for being such fantastic people. Its been a pleasure to know you all, and I wish you all the best for the future. Stay in touch ...
(Return to menu)
Thursday 19th May 2000 7.45pm, Guildford
Guildford forced the official abandonment of the north/south theory, that has seemingly been turned upside down in recent weeks! The house was almost completely full, and right from the first couple of songs, one entire section was on its feet, with the rest joining in at the start of the second half without even needing to be invited!
Matthew Stokes made a truly fantastic return to the stage as Elwood. One night off has obviously done him the power of good - his voice was back in fine form, and his energy levels seemed to be operating off a completely fresh reserve. Shake a Tailfeather was the greatest performance he has ever done of the song - tight, together and brimming with confidence.
Matt Hewitt as Jake was feeding off the wild adoration of the audience right from the beginning, and looked utterly exhausted by his efforts at the end of the show. None the less, it was another triumphant performance by him, and he managed to finish it in as strong a voice as he had begun it.
Its nearing the end of the current tour, and its starting to show, though in a good way - practical jokes on the stage are beginning to abound once again, fitting in with the lively, fun atmosphere of the show. Ellie Leah's trick of toying with Graham McGrotty's glasses mid-song leaves him unable to right them until he has finished playing, and Steve Parry's impromptu fanfare during the introduction speech to Minnie the Moocher left Steve Rickwood and most of the audience with the giggles.
The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre is not especially big, but it has a warm, friendly atmosphere, which is enhanced by another very low stage, giving the first few rows of the stalls direct eye-contact with all the people on stage. It also meant that three of the more enthusiastic members of the audience thought it was worth a try to join the cast, but they were very quickly despatched from the stage by Paul McGee!
And so, the show begins to draw to its conclusion, at least for this season. There are only a few more venues left on the schedule, before the climax in Wolverhampton during the third week in June. But of course, there will be a new season in the not too distant future, and dates are already being fixed and confirmed - check out the tour schedule button for the first few dates of the 2000/2001 UK tour!
(Return to menu)
Saturday 13th May 2000 6pm, Llandudno
For an early evening performance, The North Wales Theatre was close to being full, and the audience were undoubtedly in the mood to party right from the very start.
Sadly, Matthew Stokes was under the weather, and saw the show from a slightly different angle to the one he is most used to. Whilst he was missed, and his loss from the stage was unsettling for the cast, it did give stand-in Paul McGee the rare chance to display his talent in the role of Elwood. Understandably, he lacks the depth that Matthew gives to the character after eight months in the role, but none the less, as a one-off, Paul did a truly great job. His singing voice is strong and has a lovely tone, although he did seem to struggle to reach the very lowest notes once or twice. His speaking voice needed the volume notch turning up a couple of points, but the most notable thing was probably his great dancing. Considering that this was his first ever performance of Rubber Biscuit, he did brilliantly, and Shake a Tailfeather in particular was a resounding sucess. I Feel Good was the only song that lacked something, mainly because it was rather stationery - he had the ability to do the dance moves, but didn't seem to get around to putting it into practise. His performance takes little snippets from various predecessors - it was especially nice to see faint traces of Ian McKeith and Dionne Bennett creeping back onto the stage after such a long absence!
Matt Hewitt as Jake gave an extra special performance in a concerted effort to make sure that the evening went well, both for the audience and for Paul. Hence his own voice was geting slightly squeeky by the end, but his energy never diminishes, and he always sets the stage on fire. His choice of Group 3 in Flip, Flop, Fly was undoubtedly something that he will rue for a long time - the lady in question had lost her voice, and her husband was not impressed with the potential of having to take her place!
Think was removed from the playlist, owing to what must be an injury to Ellie Leah, although nothing was particularly apparent when she was on stage. But she certainly made her presence felt during Rubber Biscuit, with the addition of a new, somewhat high-pitched addition to the nonsense that Elwood is already singing. The only hope is that this addition is for one night only, to aid Paul in counting the sections of the song ...!!
(Return to menu)
Saturday 25th March 2000 5.30pm, Liverpool
With a capacity of about 2500, The Liverpool Empire is another vast theatre to try and fill. The matinee audience was small but reasonably lively - even so, it must be hard for the cast not to be disappointed by a small turnout, especially when each one of them works so hard on the stage for every performance.
Considering that Matthew Stokes was in the process of another stunning performance as Elwood, he didn't look particularly pleased with the way things were going. Everything worked magically well for him, particularly his vocals, in which he appears to gain more confidence every single week. The finish to "I Feel Good" was absolutely electrifying in this performance, but sadly, towards the end he did begin to look a little tired. Easter holiday coming soon, Matthew!
Matt Hewitt was on top form as Jake. The small audience initially were quite content to sit back and just watch, but once again, Matt involved them fully in everything that happened on the stage - his skill at building up a rappour is unequalled. "Shotgun Blues" was excellent, particularly in the 'dialogue' between Matt and the master guitarist, Graham McGrotty.
The Bluettes remain an unstoppable trio. The one thing that perhaps could do with curbing at the earliest opportunity is Julian Cannonier's language in the rap of "Two Little Boys" - its not cool, and its not funny, especially with young children in most audiences. But as the preacher in "The Old Landmark", Julian is really great - the facial expressions of all three Bluettes as the audience don't initially respond to the invite to "say yeah" are always highly entertaining, and its great to see various members of the backstage crew getting to show their faces on stage too. Its particularly nice to welcome back James Fromholtz to the show, after a prolonged absence since he toured as Jake and Elwood's understudy a few years back.
For me, the show was a rather special occasion, as I'd dragged several people from all over the country to see it as part of my Hen Night celebrations! Duely, the cast decided to help me on my way, as Matt picked me once again to be Section 3. This time he was bravely ready for my backchat, and had whisked the Sing-A-Long sheet onto the stage within seconds! But the ultimate the highlight was me finally getting to meet the show's director, Con O'Neill, during the interval - meeting someone who has been your long time hero can often turn out to be a disappointment when it finally happens, but this was the most perfect occasion imaginable. Con is an absolutely lovely guy, and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting him. Check out the guestbook, because he promised to sign it when he visits the web page ...!!
(Return to menu)
Friday 10th March 2000 8pm, Blackpool
Blackpool was the northern exception that proved the north/south rule in much the same way as Chichester, although of course, trying to fill a 3,000 seat theatre in a seaside town out of season could not be considered an enviable task for any show. Friday's audience, if a little way from capacity, was at least reasonably energetic once they got going, but in a theatre that size, any sense of audience warmth gets lost somewhere in the flies.
This made no apparent difference to Matt Hewitt as Jake. His energy and enthusiasm is always contagious, not only for the audience but for all the other people on the stage with him. The metamorphosis of this firey energy from wild fun in the fast songs to pain and anguish in his two slow numbers is what is really starting to set him apart from his predecessors. And whilst his Blues timing still needs a little more work (or should that be a little less work?), his voice seems to increase in power at every performance. And his newest development of occasionally carting his microphone stand around with him is so quintessentially Jake-like, its almost uncanny!
Given the almighty level at which Matthew Stokes began playing Elwood, it would be forgivable if at some point soon he reached the stage where there could be no further praise to give than has been given tenfold already. But Matthew is undoubtedly an actor who does not rest on his laurels - every performance is new, better, and another step closer to truly becoming the character. The addition of the traditional Soul Man dance steps has been starting to work its way in during recent weeks, but in this instance, they were absolutely perfect. And once again, the comic timing for the jokes must be highly commended, as must the ever increasing power behind his singing voice.
The comic skills of the band are getting better by the week - each time, they seem to invent something new to do, most notably the final few bars of Can't Turn You Loose in the Finale, and the occasional ad-lib singing in Sweet Home Chicago. As a unit, everything remains tight from the talented musicians.
On a more entertaining note, I do hope that Steve Rickwood has recovered from being enthusiastically mobbed by his two greatest fans ever as soon as he set foot through the Stage Door after the show ...!!
(Return to menu)
Saturday 4th March 2000 6pm & 9pm, Chichester
The general golden rule with audiences is that the further south you go within the UK, the less lively the audience tends to be. Chichester was the exception that proved this rule, with an audience that was on its feet the entire way through the second half, even in the quieter numbers that generally persuade the most energetic dancer to sit for a moment!
The most glorious thing about these two performances was Matt Hewitt coming of age in his portrayal of Jake. It was quite simply exquisite - there was not a single moment that did not belong wholeheartedly to the ebullient character. His singing voice was a powerhouse of his immense talent, his comic timing was superb, and his dancing was full of an incredible vitality that seemed to feed off the loving warmth eminating towards him from the audience - the more he gave them, they more they wanted to give back to him. It can only be an upward spiral from here.
Matthew Stokes remains a predictably excellent Elwood. In particular, his singing was really great and his harp playing excelled, most notably in Hey Bartender, although of course also in the solo opening to Flip, Flop, Fly. His performance becomes ever increasingly like his predecessor, the great Simon Foster - old familiar ways of moving keep creeping in, and perhaps care should be taken to keep on making each performance to Matthew's own unique recipe of huge talent, individual style and truly magnificent understanding of the role.
Undoubtedly the best song in the show at the moment is one of the few that is not an original Blues Brothers number - Let the Good Times Roll. Rohan's Reckord's voice is as delightful as ever on the main vocals, and the horn section knits tightly together on the wonderful syncapated rhythms, with a great display of individual singing as each of the cast maintain their own line in the build up to the end. The only thing that sadly lets it down is the somewhat muddled appearance to the ending - there seems to be no definate signal for either the singers or the musicians to end the final note, and the sudden blackout before everyone has quite finished only serves to add to the confusion.
A great triumph was the new lease of life that appears to have been injected into Rawhide recently. Previously, the old Country and Western song had been getting rather tired. There is nothing particulary new or different about it, but it had somehow regained that fizz that makes all the other songs in the show so special. Perhaps it was the power of Matthew Stokes' vocals, which he seems to have stepped up several notches - whatever it is, long may it continue!
The cast seemed to collectively enjoy the unusual stage space at the Festival Theatre. The stage is only a foot or so high, and comes right out into the auditorium, in a kind of half octagon shape. Whilst the band was right against the back wall of the theatre on the usual scaffolding, the rest of the cast had space to really stretch out, and to get very close to the audience on all sides - Jake and Elwood made most of their entrances and exits directly through the auditorium, and all the props came on and off the same way. The space all around the front of the stage was very quickly filled by a heaving mass of dancing bodies, making it suitably difficult for Matt Hewitt to locate and pick the lovely Sophie to sing and dance with him as Group Three for Flip, Flop, Fly!
The final date for this current UK tour is at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton from 19th June to 24th June 2000. Check the tour schedule button on the left hand menu for other dates and venues prior to the final party!
(Return to menu)
Saturday 22nd January 2000 6pm & 9pm, Billingham
Billingham is a small town with a big heart, if the reception these two performances got was anything to go by! The matinee audience was not quite as packed, and was slightly more reserved, but the evening audience was there to have a party, and it was not going to go away without getting a damn good one!
The long Christmas break could have taken its toll on the tightness of the show, but fortunately its only effect was to make everyone on the stage look refreshed. Matthew Stokes maintains his top notch performance as Elwood - watching him on stage, it would be very easy to believe that it was a flashback to 1979 with Dan Aykroyd performing all over again. It appears that Matthew has been working on the role even during the holiday, as there are one or two new movements showing up occasionally. All that he has brought in works very well, but the addition of his own confidence into every new move that he does will be what really sets it all on fire.
Likewise, Matt Hewitt moves steadily closer to John Belushi's original Jake, although on a slightly more hit and miss basis throughout the course of each show. The last two lines of "Guilty" in the second performance really had that special something about them, although it might be considered that there was a little too much fiddling with the microphone stand to make "Shotgun Blues" work properly on this occasion ...! The one thing that does regularly let him down, unfortunately, is the lapse from an American accent to somewhere closer to the north of England. None the less, he still gives it his all, and has an uncanny knack of warming up even the most reserved audience.
The Bluettes and the band were all in fine sound, and cheerful spirits ruled the stage. Particularly noteable was Ellie Leah's magnificently powerful voice, and her face is always so incredibly expressive of her enjoyment of her role.
The play list has not been altered since the new tour began in September. Perhaps now might be the time to consider extending it a small way to reintroduce old favourites like "Cell Block No 9", as well as the less traditional songs like "Expressway", which always went down well. And it also seems to be time to think of an alternative to the comedy version of "Two Little Boys", which is getting tired in its usage, if not in its performance. A recall on the Morecombe and Wise "Bring Me Sunshine" combined with "Respect" would be gladly received!
So the new leg of the 1999/2000 tour has hit the road running - check out the tour schedule to find out when the Blues Brothers are in town round your way!
(Return to menu)
Friday 10th December 1999 9pm, Sheffield
Sheffield has always warmly welcomed the Blues Brothers to its heart, and this glorious week was no exception. Some of the greatest performances ever of this show have taken place in the auditorium of the Lyceum, and this particular one has to rank right up there in amongst them. With a lively and enthusistic audience behind them, the cast collectively shook off whatever was dogging them last weekend in Cambridge, and without exception gave it all everything they had got.
Matthew Stokes has undoubtedly taken the title of the best Elwood ever to appear in this show. After three months of being very close to the achievement, his singing voice (which was the one thing that had let him down every time) was right on form - not a single note was out of place. His sticking point previously had been "Shake a Tailfeather", but this time it was inspired. And whilst "I Feel Good" has always been his piece de resistance, it deserves another mention simply for the 'Elwood-ness' of the movements!
Matt Hewitt was also at his very best - he's really found the key to the role of Jake, and long may it continue. This time the pitch of the enthusiasm was absolutely perfect - he has admirably discovered that delicate combination of the character with his own self that made the portrayal very Belushi-esque on more than one occasion. "Shotgun Blues" was the high spot of the evening from Matt, although "Guilty" ran it a very close second.
The greatest collective achievement of the Bluettes can be summed up by the House of Blues motto - 'unity in diversity'. Even whilst they are such a closely knit unit, each knowing the others moves equally as well as their own, they still manage to come across as such different individuals, and it makes for a wonderful mixture. On an individual basis, Rohan Reckord was the one that really stood out in this particular performance, not least for that wonderfully rich, creamy voice, but simply for that soulful sparkle in his face that really caught the eye.
The band seemed to have gone a little easier on the Christmas juice this week, and their performance came across as far more considered, displaying the more serious side of their talented musicianship. Mike Drinkwater's accompaniment to "Guilty" is so akin to the original, whilst combining well with Matt Hewitt's singing to give a unique and very special feeling to the song.
Whilst it was great to have Mark Lawson back on the team again briefly to understudy Jake and Elwood, the only downside to the week was that this resulted from the injury sustained by current understudy Paul McGee, leaving him in plaster and in a wheelchair. Here's hoping his recovery is swift and as pain-free as possible.
And so the first leg of the 1999/2000 tour reaches its conclusion on a very high note. After a well earned holiday, the show is back on January 10th in Ipswich, which can't come soon enough!
(Return to menu)
If you would like to make any comments about my site, please
e-mail
me.
View Guestbook
