Elaine C Smith in I Dreamed a Dream. Photo credit: Keith Pattison
Date: 28 March 2012
I Dreamed a Dream, the hotly-anticipated musical charting the life of reality TV star Susan Boyle, opened last night (27 March, previews from 23 March 2012) at Newcastle's Theatre Royal to a bevy of strong reviews.
I Dreamed a Dream, which takes its title from the Les Miserables standard that shot Boyle to fame on the 2009 UK television competition, continues in Newcastle until 31 March 2012.
The production, which was written by Smith and Alan McHugh, is directed by Ed Curtis and following its Newcastle run will tour to Aberdeen, Bradford, Liverpool, Dublin, Bristol, Southend, Cardiff, Birmingham, Inverness and Manchester.
"I Dreamed A Dream is yet another twist in the real life fairy story of Susan Boyle … Elaine C Smith not only makes the role of Susan Boyle her own but is also a co-author of the show … In excess of 30 musical numbers litter the score … Although many are not immediately associated with Susan Boyle, they are woven seamlessly into the storyline … When the curtain fell at the finale, the anticipation built, and sure enough when it rose again Boyle herself was standing there … But this is a show that easily stands on its own two feet … The scene where Susan's father (played by James Patterson) dies is one of the most emotional I have seen on stage … It deserves to become recognised as the Scottish equivalent to Blood Brothers, so strong are the production values. There is no doubting I Dreamed A Dream is one of the musical events of the year."
"Do you remember the moment Susan Boyle went from being a nobody to an absolute sensation? … Well that moment is re-enacted in this fantastically assured bio-musical … It happens once — with Elaine C Smith stepping into the shoes of the unemployed 'spinster' from the council house in Blackburn … Then it happens again, even more magnificently, when Boyle herself takes to the stage after the curtain call … She brings the house to its feet and SuBo-mania takes hold. If the evening — co-scripted by Smith and Alan McHugh — only gave us the chance to relive this defining episode of prejudiced expectations defeated and life-long dreams fulfilled it would still be worth the price of admission … The jukebox style tracking through Boyle’s loving but difficult start in life… is also deceptively straightforward … The overall shape of the show is hard to fault, and in matching the gutsy good humour of its heroine without stooping to hagiography, this is a delight that deserves to go far, and fast, as she has done."
Libby Purves The Times ★★★★
"It is a fairytale of the online age: the diffident, depressed, dowdy Boyle became our Frog Princess. When Elaine C Smith heard the buzz about her fellow Scot, she joked that she wouldn’t watch it or 'I’ll end up playing her for the rest of my life'. She might. Kennedy Aitchinson’s cunning arrangements and Ed Curtis’ deft direction use juke-boxery better than I have ever seen. Smith catches, uncannily, the jokey wiggle, the simple-hearted physical solidity, frissons of fear and temper … Only James Paterson as her father gives an operatic thrill — until the moment after the curtain call when the real Susan Boyle comes on and sings … She promises to do it most nights. Maybe … I had hoped it wouldn’t all be awful, for Boyle’s sake, but it does more: celebrating the courage it takes to seize your luck when the dream goes nightmarish."
"Boyle always struck me as a simple woman caught up in a tawdry media frenzy … Thank God, then, that this is an affectionate look at her life … This account of her life is in many ways a cocktail of schmaltz and hyperbole … Elaine C Smith… brings a thick Glaswegian edge to proceedings – and hearty gags to match. Smith does a fair bit of singing, too … Then comes the bonus ball, and raison d’etre of the evening: a personal appearance by Boyle herself … That is when you remember that she really does have something special … Ed Curtis' production, performed before a bank of TV screens, is more than just a get-rich-quick scheme or a piece of craven hagiography. It’s also a jolly good knees-up. Between moments of throat-clearing reverentiality and tear-stained crooning, there is much fun to be had."
"There is no-one out there with a story to tell quite like Susan Boyle - and I Dreamed A Dream is a fitting testament to that fact. It’s as gritty and as moving as Blood Brothers, with the added bonus it all really happened. Elaine C Smith… gives a powerhouse performance … A terrific script merges humour with sadness in a split second … With a click of a finger we are transported back to significant moments in Susan’s life … Act Two brings us to the Britain’s Got Talent and before all the mayhem and imploding following that fateful first TV screening, we get a glimpse of the lead-up to the now infamous audition. It’s one of the musical’s many highlights … Director Ed Curtis does a grand job of pulling it all together. Wild Horses should keep no-one from seeing this musical … Boyle's renditions of 'I Dreamed A Dream' and 'Who I Was Born' to be are spine-tingling."
"Although the new Susan Boyle musical I Dreamed a Dream is not the greatest musical I’ve ever seen, it certainly has a rare intensity, and terrific theatrical energy. Co-written by Scottish panto genius Alan McHugh and Elaine C Smith… it’s a powerful image of a life shaped by the telly … There is a kind of paradox at the heart of this version of Susan Boyle’s story, in that it comes in the form of a first-person narrative … The Susan conjured up for us by Elaine C Smith, in a tremendously effective and moving star performance, almost inevitably has a confidence and presence, when not singing, that Boyle famously lacked … The show features a fine supporting cast of 11 actors, a seven-piece band, and a brilliantly-chosen playlist of popular standards … In the end it emerges as a vigorous, thoughtful and inspiring tribute."
The stage show I Dreamed A Dream is yet another twist in the real life fairy story of Susan Boyle, the Scottish songbird who shot to fame on Britain's Got Talent in 2009.
While the anticipation of Boyle's appearance certainly adds another dimension to the production, that should take nothing away from the rest of the show, which is funny, entertaining, tear-jerking and reveals parts of her life that have, until now, remained a mystery.
Elaine C Smith not only makes the role of Susan Boyle her own but is also a co-author of the show. In fact, it is hard to believe anyone else could play the part of Boyle so well, not least due to the physical similarities.
The story is told from Boyle’s perspective, looking back over her life so far at periods that are both sad and painful to watch, but always riveting.
While Act One deals with life before Britain’s Got Talent, Act Two takes us through the auditions and the aftermath. In excess of 30 musical numbers litter the score and each and every one is instantly recognisable (from "At Seventeen" to "Stuck in the Middle With You" and "Paper Roses"). Although many are not immediately associated with Susan Boyle, they are woven seamlessly into the storyline.
[W@S_IMG]#http://whatsonstage.com/images/IDreamedADream_KeithPattison_360.jpg#360#240#Elaine C Smith as Susan Boyle. Photo credit: Keith Pattison[/W@S_IMG]The show rightly received an instant standing ovation last night before the star herself had even appeared. When the curtain fell at the finale, the anticipation built, and sure enough when it rose again Boyle herself was standing there.
Further standing ovations followed as she sang two numbers on her own - "Who I Was Born to Be" and, of course, the title number.
But this is a show that easily stands on its own two feet. Director Ed Curtis takes us on a journey through Boyle’s life and never allows the attention to waiver for a second. The scene where Susan’s father (played by James Patterson) dies is one of the most emotional I have seen on stage, while those backstage at the auditions for BGT are nothing short of inspirational.
Producer Michael Harrison (Chess, Jolson & Co, Witches of Eastwick) is known for his record-breaking pantomimes around Britain each year, but this time he has brought us a real life fairy story.
This production is a standalone show that should still play to audiences long after Elaine C Smith and Susan Boyle have left. In fact it deserves to become recognised as the Scottish equivalent to Blood Brothers, so strong are the production values.
There is no doubting I Dreamed A Dream is one of the musical events of the year.
A ‘sell out’ show – but it didn’t impress me, I’m sad to say.
To begin with, I should make it clear that I admire Susan Boyle. I appreciate that she struggled against the odds to achieve her dream, and I am delighted that she has been successful. She has an engaging personality and a wonderful voice, and her success as a recording artiste is well-deserved.
However, this review is about the show itself – the world premiere of ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal.
I don’t like to be negative, and have thought hard before posting this – especially in the light of all the rave reviews. However, as a musical, I have to admit that I found it disappointing. ‘Low-budget’ and ‘padded-out’ are the adjectives that best describe this show – in my clearly ‘minority’ opinion.
If you are expecting a musical of similar caliber to Les Miserables, Billy Elliot, Phantom, Jersey Boys, Blood Brothers etc, you will probably be disappointed. The fact that tickets for all of these musicals are very similar in price might lead you to expect that this is a similarly wonderful production. In my opinion, it doesn’t come anywhere close!
The whole show seemed ‘amateurish’ to me, I’m sad to say. Apart from Elaine C Smith, there are only eleven in the cast – and, in my opinion, none of them stand out as memorable singers, dancers or actors. I thought the script banal, the choreography uninspired, and the acting wooden.
The set never changes (it’s little more than a bare stage with a backdrop of tv screens) and the songs are all re-workings of hymns or hits made famous by other people. You leave the theatre with ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ in your head – but this signature song is from another show!! All a bit of a cheat really, when you think about it – especially considering the price of the tickets!
All in all, I feel this is a very flimsy attempt at a musical. It has little substance and can surely only appeal to audiences caught up in the national emotional hysteria of Susan Boyle’s story. I honestly expected a better production for the price of my £39-ish ticket!
To end on a positive note, Elaine C Smith is excellent as Susan, and it was nice to see Susan herself singing two songs at the end of the show.
- Joan Gibson
07 Apr 12
I only attend local theatre, but if this musical with the original cast comes to America, I will travel across the country to see it! I will also bring a half dozen of my family and friends. We love Susan and can't get enough of her and her story! Patricia from Texas - Patricia from Texas
06 Apr 12
I can't wait for it to come us the US. It's about time we revived an appreciation for music that is beautiful to listen to. - Mary
05 Apr 12
I cannot express how much this production has impressed my life! I saw one preview, the premier and the night after the premier. I could see it again and again. Elaine was a total surprise to me, as I am from the US and did not know of her before. She is a marvel! Even her mannerisms are complete Susan! What a treat. She made me laugh and she made me cry. Her At Seventeen touched me deeply in her interpretation and the context of the play. Loved the Scarlet Ribbons and cried again at the dad's death scene when Susan, her mom and her dad sang 3 different songs simultaneously. Perfect!! Then, of course, there was Susan! Words cannot express hearing her live and in the flesh! She is beyond belief! Cannot wait for this show to come to the US! - Jean
05 Apr 12
Saw 2 previews and Opening Night and could see it a dozen times again. Wonderful and can stand alone without the simply amazing Susan Boyle. - Betty Adams
05 Apr 12
I have already seen this production twice and I cannot wait to see it again - in fact I can't imagine ever being tired of seeing it. The script is faultless and the acting is sensitive and authentic, hilariously funny and deeply sad. If you are somebody who has never understood all this hype about Susan Boyle, this show will surprise and enlighten you. Definitely not to be missed. - Moll
04 Apr 12
This is a show for the entire family to enjoy. I've seen dozens of tweets from teens who were reluctantly coerced to go with granny who came out tweeting that they loved it. And what's not to love? It never drags, entertains with slick dance routines, keeps you laughing with funny scenes, and watch out - when it's sad, you'll be in a puddle of tears in spite of yourself. The set is a clever show in and of itself, and the cast are real pros. I've never heard a more tenderly sung Scarlet Ribbons. Elaine C. Smith deserves every theater award she is going to get from this show. Susan Boyle herself turns out to be more charismatic and powerful than you ever imagined she could be. The entire production generates so much positive energy it could light up the entire West End for a year. Forget you're too urbane and sophisticated to like anything to do with Susan Boyle and just go and have a great time! - Cindy
04 Apr 12
Pleeeease come to the USA with the original cast. - NewYorkUSA
04 Apr 12
i was privileged to see this show two nights. I have been involved in theater for nearly 60 years and this is outstanding theater. It is superbly written, and brilliantly acted. Elaine C Smith was a delight and I must admit a bit of a surprise for me. I expected her to be good. She far exceeded my expectations. The show is tight, seamless and a delight from start to finish. Hearing the "real" Susan Boyle is of course a magical experience, but this show is stand alone and even without the incredible Miss Boyle, the show is complete. It deserves a run at the West End and Miss Smith, her fellow cast members, and all involved with the production deserve kudos and awards. Well done, all!! - Carol
04 Apr 12
Absolutely superb, I laughed, I cried ,I clapped until my hands hurt. The best musical I have seen for a long time and I am sure it will be around for a very long time. Susan was indeed the icing on the cake but the whol cast and particularly Elaine deserve the highest praise, a complete joy from beginning to end. Very much hope it does come to the West End, I will be the first in the queue. - Ann Whittle.
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