Show Boat (Tour – Salford)

When Show Boat was premiered on Broadway in 1927 it changed the course of musical theatre and so began a new era in the history of musicals. It is considered to be the first musical show in which the script, the music and the choreography come together to further the themes and plot of the story rather than in previous shows where frivolous dialogue was interrupted for a song and dance.

It also dares to tackle serious subjects such as racial prejudice, mixed race marriage and the depiction of misery and poverty. And although the romantic leads are reunited there is not a happy ending for every character.

Based on Edna Ferber’s novel Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II turned her story about life aboard and around a Mississippi show boat into a spectacular and gripping piece of theatre containing vivid characters, a riveting story and some stunning songs.

This production tackles the show with great verve and confidence. No overture allows the action to spill on to the stage from the word go and no political correctness either as the dialogue is from the original script.

The first half is a joy as wonderful song follows wonderful song and the stage bursts with action. Romance, comedy and drama rotate in quick succession as the mood swiftly changes. Janice Honeyman directs with skill bringing out all the highs and lows of the story. Act One must rank as one of the best opera company musicals ever.

Robin Botha as the spirited Magnolia and Blake Fischer as her beau Ravenal make the romantic duets really soar; Lynelle Kenned has great vivacity as the ‘best leading lady on the river’ and Graham Hopkins and Anthea Thompson wring out all the humour of their relationship. There is a dazzling performance from Nobuntu Mpahlaza as Queenie who one minute is joyously whipping up the crowd onto the show boat and the next plunging the riverside into misery as she senses the foreboding gloom.

Show Boat is probably best known for containing the song ‘Ol Man River’ and here Otto Maidi is terrific as Joe. Rightly his singing brings the house down and the lyrics ‘tired of living but scared of dying’ make the hairs on the back of the neck stand out.

The second half cannot live up to the preceding act as the construction of the show unravels – the years pass too quickly and a few of the actors flounder with only scraps of dialogue to tell their story. Some scenes fizzle out but again director Honeyman shows her mettle by sewing up the gaps as best she can to keep the show flowing which it does with tremendous pace.

Show Boat is rarely revived but thanks to the collaboration of Wales Millennium Centre, the Lowry and Cape Town Opera it sails seamlessly into Salford Quays this week. Get on board while you can and enjoy the trip down the Mississippi.

Show Boat is at the Lowry until 12 July.

– Richard Woodward