Due to Wales Millennium Centre for offering us with overview tickets for this present
I’ve been reviewing theatre reveals for greater than 20 years and I don’t suppose I’ve ever seen a standing ovation mid-show – till final night time’s press efficiency of Dreamgirls, that’s. Seeing an viewers rise to their toes on the finish of a musical is sort of par for the course given the usual of theatre we’re fortunate to see gracing our phases right here in Cardiff. However within the first act, in response to 1 specific music… that’s a brand new one for me.
So highly effective is Nicole Raquel Dennis’s efficiency of And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going on the finish of act one which the viewers is up on its toes clapping and cheering as the ultimate notes nonetheless linger within the air. Her rendition of the music – made well-known in 2006 by Jennifer Hudson within the musical movie of Dreamgirls and by Jennifer Halliday within the 1981 authentic Broadway manufacturing – is so uncooked, emotional, determined, passionate and defiant as she declares her love for Curtis, the band supervisor and boyfriend who’s changing her as his main girl in each the band and his life. “I’m staying and also you, and also you, you’re gonna love me,” she tells first him, after which the viewers.
Her efficiency as Effie is (and I don’t use this phrase flippantly) sensational; so soulful, so shifting and so deserving of each the applause halfway by as she hits the excessive notes, and of the ovation on the finish. Each a part of her physique is caught up within the emotion as she dips to the ground and bends over double, and her vocals soar. I wasn’t the one one fully overcome with tears, and grateful for the interval to compose myself.
In fact, one belter of a solo doesn’t make a musical and fortunately there’s a lot extra right here that dazzles, with a phenomenally gifted solid, beautiful costumes and efficient lighting combining on this story of three finest pals searching for musical success in a Nineteen Sixties-era American music trade rife with racism and sexism.
Dreamgirls is impressed by Diana Ross and The Supremes (though to what extent, the controversy rages on) and different comparable lady teams of the period, though barring the few songs the present is legendary for the music isn’t fairly as robust as its inspiration. That mentioned there are many stand-out moments and performances and a robust plot the place friendships are examined to the intense.
Natalie Kassanga is charming because the small city lady Deena who reluctantly steps into the aforementioned Effie’s lead function within the Dreamettes, later the Goals, when band supervisor Curtis (performed by Dom Hartley-Harris as clean on the surface however crafty and deceitful beneath) decides she has a extra affable (ie slimmer) look and a softer voice that may assist give the band mass (particularly white) enchantment.
Paige Peddie taking part in Lorrell Robinson makes up the musical trio, caught within the center between Effie and Deena and offering many lighter, comedian moments. Within the second act she’s given extra of an opportunity to shine vocally and we see a sassier extra assertive facet to her character.
In reality, all three girls actually develop all through the manufacturing, turning into extra empowered and standing as much as the boys who’ve manipulated them.
Shem Omari Jones is an affable CC White, composer of among the lady group’s greatest hits, whereas Brandon Lee Sears offers depth to Jimmy Early, a James Brown-esque solo performer who the women initially present supporting vocals for earlier than turning into their very own solo act. He’s all implausible dance strikes, vocals and charisma to start out however we quickly see a extra womanising facet to him and his frustrations that he has to vary his sound to enchantment to the white audiences.
The costumes all through are beautiful, the sequinned clothes and the array of wigs getting extra beautiful because the band’s fame grows. The set is splendidly efficient given its quite minimalist look, with stage backdrops of the singers’ numerous performances and intelligent lighting rigs enhancing the musical numbers.
I took my 10 12 months outdated son with me to look at final night time’s present and he beloved it. He’s acquainted with music from the period and located the perception into the music trade fascinating. The age steering is 8+ with no underneath twos admitted. I believe my eight 12 months outdated would have misplaced a variety of the subtleties of the plot as there’s quite a bit to comply with however he would have actually loved the musical numbers. It’s a great one for households with older youngsters searching for a present with a little bit of substance and plenty of speaking factors.
Whether or not you’ve seen the movie or not, and even seen Nicole Raquel Dennis dueting the music she was so clearly born to carry out with Jennifer Hudson on The Voice or not, this can be a highly effective manufacturing with sufficient depth within the plot to match the massive musical numbers. A narrative of examined friendships and standing up for your self, it’s emotionally fraught, doesn’t draw back from tough points however is in the end uplifting.
Dreamgirls is at Wales Millennium Centre till 30 April. Tickets begin from £17.50 and there’s good availability for the remainder of the run. For extra data and to e book tickets go to the Wales Millennium Centre web site right here.
Pictures of UK Tour firm by Matt Crockett. © Dreamgirls UK Tour 2021
