The Osmonds – A New Musical. Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham (UK tour)
The Osmonds are synonymous with entertainment (as they are with the 70’s). Hugely successful, they sold 100 million records, sold out concerts, and had hit TV shows. This show billed as a new musical is more of a bio-musical as it covers all of the above and more. The story is by Jay Osmond himself and it’s he (played by Alex Hodge) who narrates it. Starting out as child stars we literally see them in their infancy and the children in this production are wonderful – especially “Little” Jimmy Osmond (Austin Riley). They grew up in the spotlight in the golden age of light entertainment and there is a delightful section featuring Andy Williams (wonderfully played by Alex Cardell) and his iconic TV show. The story of course follows their meteoric rise to pop stardom, but it’s not all teeth and tasselled jumpsuits, there are lows as well as highs, for instance we see a very tormented Merrill (played by Ryan Anderson). The show is very insightful to their story, there’ll be some things you did know, but some things you didn’t. All the hits are here of course (sung and performed brilliantly by the cast) including all the solo hits – yes Marie’s here too (played perfectly by Georgia Lennon). I guess unless you around at the time you don’t realise just how huge The Osmonds actually were (think One Direction). There were ladies of a certain age in the audience (MANY of them) that were reliving their youth (this was their boyband) and at times it felt like this was actually an Osmonds concert. During Donny’s “Puppy Love” (performed brilliantly by Tristan Whincup) I almost expected underwear to be thrown at the stage! The whole production is very slick – as were The Osmonds themselves. This is a wonderful show and was a joy from start to finish. Would I see it again? Crazy Horses couldn’t keep me away.
5 stars. Hugely nostalgic and hugely entertaining.
