THEATRE REVIEW: Bad Girls the Musical

"Fabulous music, fantastic singing, good storyline and a great night out," says reviewer Tania McCauley.
 
Bad Girls the Musical
Director: Wendy Revell
Napier Operatic Society
Tabard Restaurant Theatre, until August 14.
Reviewer: Tania McCauley

It's a tough life, but someone has to live it.
 
So say the girls of HMP Larkhall, or rather, they sing it loud, and proud, in this show that manages to be shocking, touching, funny, sad and scary, all within the space of a few minutes.
The musical was based on the successful UK TV series and judging by the audience reaction on
opening night, this show deserves to be just as successful.
 
Wendy Revell has pulled together a strong cast. The sheer power and beautiful harmonising with which the prisoners belted out opening number I Shouldn't Be Here set the tone, with Nikki Wade (Edina McFarland), Shell Dockley (Kelly Smith), Bible-bashing thief Crystal Gordon (Ali Beal), old pros Julie Johnson (Samantha Grant-Smith) and Julie Saunders (Joanne Stevens), and gangster's wife Yvonne Atkins (Sarah Ericksen) in particular giving standout performances throughout the night.
 
The story begins with naive newbie Rachel Hicks (Amy Pepper) falling under the spell of
dodgy principal prison officer Jim Fenner, played with just the right mix of slimy brutishness
by Gerard Cook, and a frightening visit from the mad, bad and as it turns out, slightly crazy Shell
and her loyal sidekick Denny Blood (Alice McMillan). Bubbling away under the surface is the growing attraction between tough nut Nikki and Wing Governor Helen Stewart (Tiffany Anderson), who despite her meek exterior isn't afraid to stand up for what she believes is right.
 
 Helen offers hope to the prisoners when a tragic event, thanks to Fenner, brings the prison to crisis point and puts her good deeds at risk.
 
The song that follows, Freedom Road, performed with passion and emotion by Crystal drew some of the biggest applause.
 
It may all sound rather grim, but there are some fantastic lighter moments mixed in with the dark.The two Julies did a wonderful duet, Life of Grime, and a great number called All Banged Up with Yvonne that got a lot of laughs.
 
Not that the guards don't get to strut their stuff as well. Fenner does very well with the help of senior officer Sylvia ``Bodybag'' Hollamby (Debbie Cook), particularly when he thinks things are going his way.
 
Overall, fabulous music, fantastic singing, good storyline and a great night out.