Little Women The Musical- Review

They say no actor can be right for every part – and that a rejection says more about the director’s “vision” than the actor’s talent. Sadly for failed and snively actress try-outs like me, this comforting little truism has been magnificently shat over by the talent that is Lottie Johnson, (playing Jo March in DramaSoc’s production of Little Women).

In the three years that I’ve been singing/reviewing in Lottie Johnson’s disturbingly talented vocal wake, she’s been the focus of what must be 90% of the musicals at York; regularly partnered through the myriad of angsty glances, catchy numbers and sticky wet snogs with the other York Musical scene hero, Mr Protagonist Tom Jones (Laurie Laurence). As one might expect from someone who is right for every part Johnson is a truly spankingly excellent and multi dimensional actress.

In the famously sad scene in Little Women, (which you’ll have heard of even if you haven’t read the book/seen the film/watched that episode of Friends when Joey puts the book in the freezer), Johnson led the orchestra of tears with her own crying and guttural musical breakdowns. I really cannot  over-emphasise how professional it was. I had to look at the ceiling and think about that fishcake I had for supper to stop from spoiling my make-up entirely. The rest of the audience evidently didn’t have such an entertaining meal to dwell upon. They SOBBED. My coat got dribbled on. You never felt like you were watching actors.

Whilst not everyone is quite as York Famous as Lottie Jonson and the beautiful Tom Jones (listening Jones is like rubbing yourself in butter – it’s the most sensuous and delicious experience), all were fantastic. The acting and singing in this production is so phenomenal you don’t need any of the catchy numbers that are so normally a part of the draw in Musical productions. Joe Williams played a mesmerising and curiously attractive Professor Bhaer, which is a MASSIVE COMPLIMENT given his dedication to growing nineteenth century facial hair (shave it off. Shave it off now). Perhaps it was due to having fewer musical numbers that he had the time to really smack you in the face with his tentative bumbling German acting… and his accent… the only one of the entire cast who actually managed to do an accent, like, AT ALL. Everyone else only remembered to be American when actually singing about American cities, which, to be fair, literally didn’t matter. I find that the nasal twang is grating anyway.

Betty Jones (Amy March/ Troll), Zoe Spencer (Beth March/Rodrigo), Claire Curtis-Ward (Marmee March/Hag), George Morgan (Mr Laurence/Knight), Melissa Layton (Aunt March/Mrs Kirk) and Andy Bewley (Mr John Brooke/Braxton) are so talented. As per usual, Melissa Layton would have been the show stealer, with her cloud of talcum powdered hair and aggressive old woman singing, had it not been for Betty Jones’ hilarious moment as a Troll (this will only make sense WHEN YOU GO AND SEE THE MUSICAL… the actors all jump back and forth from other characters in Jo March’s Gothic novels), where she picks her nose and flings it at the audience – an excellent divergence from her fabulous portrayal of the silly girl nightmare that is Amy March.

Zoe Spencer, Alice Write and Claire Curtis-Ward are BRILLIANT actresses, and really well suited to their characters (congratulations casting directors); Curtis-Ward, despite being the same age is a totally convincing and fantastic fretted and yet powerful Marmee. It’s difficult to explain just how professional, funny, light-hearted, moving and totally gripping this musical is. I’d have sat through it if it went on for days. For the third years among you, I really hope you have spectacular musical theatre careers ahead of you, if that’s what you’re after. You deserve them.

In conclusion, if you don’t go and see this musical I will personally ensure you’re stuck in a small dark room with an Amy March (aka, mega bitch). It’s a five star night. The orchestra lent a really professional depth to this tiny Drama Barn production. Please go and see them. They fully deserve a full house. Wear waterproof mascara and don’t sit too close to the front unless you particularly enjoy being sprayed in Troll Bogie.