Boogie Nights

Empire Theatre Company Wyvern Theatre, Swindon

Boogie Nights, The 70s Music-al, was brought to the Wyvern Theatre last week by the Empire Theatre Company under the guidance of director and choreographer Pollyann Tanner.

This group of young people, with ages ranging from 13 to 35, showed what it is to be young, talented and above all enthusiastic, about musical theatre.

From the minute the lights went down they performed their socks off.

The story is a typical boy-meets girl-with an unusual ending, with wonderful songs from the 1970s thrown in at every turn.

Written by Jon Conway, with script associates Shane Richie and Terry Morrison, it is a tale that makes you wonder if it is at all biographical in places. Indeed, my daughter mentioned at the end that leading man Dean Kline reminded her of a holiday rep, Shane Richie’s old occupation.

Dean did well with the characterisation of his role as did all the leading players in this production.

Laura Cotes sang her heart out during I Will Survive, nearly bringing the house down.

These 70s numbers are not easy to sing. At times notes or song entrances were sketchy. However, with a good band on stage, the audience’s toes were tapping, hands clapping and voices singing along. They loved it.

Costumes were good, as were the lighting and scenery.

Pollyann and her team are to be congratulated on a job well done in such a short time frame.

Her cast get 10 out of 10 for enthusiasm and energetic dance routines.

If you can get the audience on their feet for a finale I think you can say you have succeeded in your task. – ROS HOLLANDS