Review- All The Fun Of The Fair
October 28, 2008
Date Reviewed: 28th October, 2008
Venue: The Palace Theatre
“We need to make some changes,” shouts angry teenager Jack (Paul-Ryan Carberry) at his fairground owner father Levi (David Essex) during the first act. It’s a phrase that someone should have blurted out during the writing and rehearsal process of this limp and leaden back-catalogue musical, that celebrates the hits of Essex, all wrapped up in a silly story of fairground travellers.
A game cast work hard, but with material this thin, they face an impossible task of Herculean proportions.
England, 1978. Levi’s been running his fairground for years, mourning the death of his wife, and keeping an eye on his troubled teenage son, Jack. Fortune teller Rosa (Louise English) predicts stormy times ahead, as the merry band of carnival folk try to keep their fairground going in a changing Britain. Jack’s romance with Rosa’s daughter Mary (Emma Thornett) is also threatened by the arrival of flighty Alice (understudy Lara Denning) and her violent, aggressive father Harvey (David Burrows).
Whereas shows like Mamma Mia! ingeniously sneak established pop hits into a new story, this feels like a trawl through the bargain bin. Quite simply, it doesn’t have enough hit tunes to justify a sing-along night out. And the story and production are so problematic, I started to feel sorry for some of the (clearly very) talented performers.
Jon Conway’s book is so risible; full of hackneyed cliché, and the sort of flat gags that were last seen in 1970s sitcoms, that it totally fails to establish character, develop a plot properly, or find any sort of narrative arc.
Nikolai Foster’s direction is bewilderingly clumsy and chaotic. Unsure of tone or mood, the show struggles to find its feet, and is a confusing mess of characters, sub-plots, and loose ends. Colin Richmond’s set restricts the possibilities, never suggesting the bustling action of a lively fairground. And the absence of any choreography leaves up tempo numbers struggling to take off.
The songs are of varying quality, but everything a fan has come to hear is present and correct. “Rock On,” “Gonna Make You A Star,” (stripped of its wry, satirical slant) and “Hold Me Close” are all faithfully rendered. Ambiguously noted in the programme, the lack of any live band reduces everything to a bland, homogenised sound. Does a veteran performer like Essex really want to be singing along to a backing track?
Fortunately, some performances are worth shouting about. Denning’s Alice and Thornett’s Mary are both well-defined, and nicely sung. Stefan Butler neatly scene steals as fairground simpleton Jonny. And Salford-born Carberry shows genuine promise and star quality in his professional debut. Singing and acting everyone else off the stage, he manages to make a real impact, and certainly has a bright future ahead of him.
I think All The Fun Of The Fair is a poor offering all round, but, hey, what do I know? A veteran audience adored being in the presence of a 70s pop legend, and rewarded the evening with a standing ovation on the night I attended.
Rock on, indeed.
-Matthew Nichols
Comments
14 Responses to “Review- All The Fun Of The Fair”
Got something to say?
-
Recent Posts
- Calling All Blonde Bombshells!
- Brad Fraser on True Love Lies
- Quadrophenia set for Opera House
- Bert V.Royal on Dog Sees God
- Free Comedy FX at the Royal Exchange
- Win! Blonde Bombshells tix
- Looking Forward: What to see in 2009
- Blonde Bombshells returns to North West
- Exchange Premieres True Love Lies
- Win! Up Against The Wall tix
Advertisement
Other Regional Sites
I went to see this last night. I thought the story was a bit slow & the stage a bit dull. All the performances were very good though & singing was excellent. I wasn’t familiar with all the songs but the well known ones were greatly enjoyed by the audience so there was a great atmosphere in the theatre.
Awful…. worst thing I have EVER seen at the theatre. The audience was trying to enjoy but it never really got going. We genuinely nearly left at the interval but stayed in hope that it would get better! It didn’t.
Seriously… DON’T GO!!
We went last night and had a great time overall - the well known songs went down really well, particularly liked the ‘rock on’ scene.
The jokes seriously need updating as they are the type that weren’t funny first time round (20 years ago). The person working the dry ice machine could maybe have been a little less heavy handed too - glad I wasn’t sitting in the middle, although it does explain why the air con was so fierce.
I wasn’t disappointed.
This is the first bad review I’ve seen of this production. I was there on Monday and enjoyed it. I agree it was a bit slow in places and the scenery could have been more interesting. I, too, liked the ‘Rock On’ scene and I thought ‘Silver Dream Machine’ was quite effective, although a little less dry ice would have been good. The songs slotted into the storyline well and I was very impressed with Paul-Ryan Carberry and Stefan Butler.
Perhaps I should add that I’m a long-time David Essex fan anyway, so I’m glad I went and I would go again if I got the chance.
I think the review is totally misleading.
Firstly, the gags are supposed to be old - it’s the late 70’s so how could they be updated?
The set is supposed to be dull and lacklustre because it’s meant to be behind the scenes of the fairground and it’s portrayed as being a bit tired and delapidated - not meant to be Disneyworld!
Personally, I think the stage sets and lighting have been done really well.
The young cast sing David Esssex songs with such credibilty and the harmonies are fantastic. Louise English (Rosa) sings Winter’s Tale beautifully.
I was at the Palace last night and the dry ice, it seems, is now under control.
With lots of action and appealing, I would think, to a vast majority of the male population who never set foot inside a theatre, not just David Essex fans.
One thing I would say though, I wouldn’t recommend this play for young children as there’s quite a bit of violence and bad language, which makes the story authentic and believable.
All in all, a brilliant cast, lead by the Rock On legend, David Essex with his music cleverly integrated into this very powerful and moving storyline.
A wonderful culmination of 3 decades of Essex compositions and here’s hoping there’s a lot more to come yet!
Having been to see this show 3 times in Wolverhampton and thoroughly enjoying every second of it I was shocked to be told of your review. Obviously the tale of an old dwindling fair ground is not going to be a picture of hustle bustle and lights etc. but this very believable story entertwines with the songs exceptionally well and the cast are all very very good. Stephan and Paul are truly fantastic in their roles. The settings are supposed to be old and therefore so are the jokes ect. Up until now every review I had read had been very very good and I certainly have more tickets already booked for the future and as more dates become available I will be purchasing more. I agree with the previous person tho that it is not suitable for children. But for me it was certainly extremely enjoyable every time. In fact after I had seen this I then went to London this week to see Joseph starring Lea Mead and my family and I were thoroughly dissapointed with that, he couldnt even sing!!! Many people in that theatre were complaining Whereas in Wolverhampton the three evenings I was there there was a complete standing ovation at the end on all three floors of the theatre. I would recomend people to go. Sue
To quote Matthew Nichols, ‘but ,hey, what do I know?’ sums up your entire review really. The standing ovations every night speak for themselves.
Don’t really see any comparison to Mamma Mia - it’s a light entertainment show with Abba music, whereas, All The Fun of The Fair is a more intense play with music.
I’ve seen many a West End show and this latest project of David Essex’ rises above some of the more well-known titles.
I went to see Dirty Dancing at the Aldwych in the summer at a cost of £75 a ticket and was really disappointed with the leading character.
I suppose it’s all down to personal taste really, and I would say to anyone don’t be put off by this isolated negative review - it’s well worth a visit.
I’m sorry that so many people seem disappointed by my reaction to the show. It is, of course, personal taste, and I’d encourage anyone to go and make up their own mind. Clearly, it’s tailored to Essex fans, and (as my review notes) they adored it on the night I went. I would also clarify that I made no mention of the set being “dull and lacklustre,” and by no means is this an isolated negative review (check out the Manchester Evening News piece, if anyone needs corroboration.) If you’re an Essex fan, do go and see it - I’m sure you’ll have a good time.
Sorry, but I disagree that this show is clearly tailored to Essex fans.
Yes it’s filled with his music, (19 songs, but only 3 get a mention) but fellow cast are making a big impact and there’s been a real buzz at the Palace this week!
I’ve witnessed astounding reaction from non-Essex fans -so even if your’e not an ‘Essex fan ‘- the chances are you’ll have a great time (if there are any tickets left).
I also take offence at the ‘veteran audience’ comment (must remember to darn some socks later) and the ’70’s pop legend ‘ title is an over-used tired cliche used endlessly by media, as is ‘women of a certain age’ when unable to think of any other adjectives!
David Essex is still in his’ hey day’ as he said last night on local TV!
All The Fun of The fair was never intended to be a sing-a-long show either, but maybe your controversial comments were intended to cause reaction - that’s how it works it the media!
Matthew, I think you must have been to a different show! Since it’s opening in Bromley in September, this is only the second poor review!
I’ve seen it a couple of times now and I love it! It’s funny, it’s sad and David’s songs have been woven throughout the story so that it doesn’t resemble a ‘juke box’ show. It was never meant to be a ‘sing-along night out’!
Your comments about the lack of an orchestra and ‘backing track’ is a little uninformed as the ‘surround sound’ is both modern and exciting and makes the audience feel as if they are at a fairground.
David himself is as charismatic as he’s always been, carrying off the role of Levi to perfection. The rest of the cast are enthusiastic and professional.
I can’t understand why you think the story is ‘silly’! It’s a love story which goes wrong – how silly is that?!
Your comments about ‘feeling sorry for some talented performers’ is patronising and, again, uninformed. Perhaps you should have talked to them and discovered how happy they are and what a wonderful time they’re having on tour with a rock icon whom they obviously like and respect.
To S Lewis who almost left at the interval I’d like to suggest that if you find yourself in that situation again, you do just that! Why put yourself and the talented cast through it!?
Matthew, we’re not just disappointed with your reaction, we’re frankly a bit surprised! It’s nonsense to say it’s tailored to ‘Essex fans’, it’s a show which should appeal to anyone who likes a good story and some great music!
My advice? Go and see it, you may be in for a big surprise! I’m sure it will successfully transfer to the West End and I for one will be going along!
Rock On, David!
I think this is all getting a bit unfair. One reviewer went to go and see the show, and didn’t enjoy it. Fair enough. That’s his job, and he’s entitled to his views. And from what I can read, he’s backed up everything he’s said. It jut looks like everyone else has then jumped on it because they enjoyed the show. He even went out of his way to say he would encourage people to go and see it and make up their own mind. I went to see it. I like David Essex, his music, and musical theatre a lot. I thought it was ok, not great, but I wouldn’t rush to recommend it. The comment about the band making it sound like a “funfair” is ridiculous. For a start, it doesn’t. And everytime I have seen Essex live over the years he has been with a live band and has been great. And - as an Essex fan - because this is a show starring David Essex, and with the songs of David Essex, drawing on David Essex’s background with fairgrounds, it’s definitely aimed at Essex fans! I think everyone is entitled to their opinion, but some people on here seem to be getting a bit snide in some of their comments to someone who has a job to do.
Inevitably, nothing is to everyone’s taste. There’ll always be some who will and some who won’t enjoy a performance.
But I’m amazed at the level of negativity in this review of Matthew Nichols!
All The Fun Of The Fair is a very moving and powerful story with a very talented cast performing with incredible emotion.
As for snide comments - is there any need for undeserved phrases such as, “this feels like a trawl through the bargain bin” and “limp and leaden back-catalogue musical”, to name but a few?
Isn’t that unfair, that one person’s view (from Whatsonstage.com) can influence prospective theatre-goers - surely not?
The show is playing to packed theatres nationwide for nine months before transferring to the West End and subsequently is being made into a film!
Undoubtedly, audiences will form their own opinions and from what I’ve seen so far, this show is a resounding success already!
i do think that matt knows what he’s taking about and i would agree there were great performers for a weak show
“SLEWIS on October 28th, 2008 3:20 pm
Awful…. worst thing I have EVER seen at the theatre. ”
You obviously didn’t catch ‘Can’t Smile Without You’ starring Chesney Hawkes…