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Rave reviews for Trinity Laban Musical Theatre shows

Mon 25 June 2018

Trinity Laban’s musical theatre students ended their year on a high with a raft of excellent reviews for their end-of-year productions Betty Blue Eyes (15-16 June) and Crazy for You (22-23 June).

Reviewing the second-year students’ production of Betty Blue Eyes on her website Stage Review, Anne Cox stated –

“This comedy musical, about a prized pig and the townsfolk at war over giving her the chop, is a triumph… Elva Makins uses her considerable experience as an actor, writer and director to create a rich, vibrant and hilariously funny production that is performed by a cast which is bold beyond its years.”

LondonTheatre1’s Chris Omaweng noted –

“One might be forgiven for thinking this was a professional touring production.”

Susan Elkin (Musical Theatre Review) praised lead performer Rebecca d’Lacey –

“She sings exceptionally well and dances beautifully. She’s about to graduate and I hope we see more of her very soon.”

Katrina Summerfield of Musical Theatre Musings concluded – 

Betty Blue Eyes is an entertaining piece of musical theatre, ideal for showcasing a very talented cast with excellent lead and cameo roles and Trinity Laban did this with effortless style.”

There was more praise for the final-year students’ production of Crazy for You.

Writing for British Theatre, Julian Graves gave the show five stars, and said –  

[The cast and creative team] distinguished themselves by putting together a remarkably detailed and accomplished production in pretty much just 12 days: how on earth they managed this feat it is difficult to say… the amazing energy of these youthful performers was given meticulous shape and purpose by their combined efforts, creating a finished performance of truly West End quality.”   

Chris Omaweng described the show as an “energetic production, an evening of lively escapism”.

Anne Cox called performers Christian Andrews and Ella-Jane Thomas “stars in the making” and picked out the “great physical comedy performance” of Lizzie Burgess in the chorus.

Susan Elkin was impressed by Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy – “she sings with wistful beauty and near perfect intonation, dances with arresting lightness and does wonderfully expressive things with her eyes” – and Christian Andrews – “As Bobby, Christian Andrews is rueful and funny… He is also a very fine dancer and singer. His tap is terrific.”

She rounded things up by saying – 

“Director Sarah Redmond certainly knows how to get the best out of her young cast. The 24 graduating students in this highly enjoyable production of Crazy for You are fizzing with energy and there’s plenty of talent on show.”

Bill Russell from Reviewsgate wrapped up the reaction to Crazy For You nicely:

“As a showcase it could really not be bettered.”

Find out more about Musical Theatre at Trinity Laban 

(Photographs by Lidia Crisafulli. From the top: Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy and Christian Andrews in Crazy For You; Emily Harper and the cast, Betty Blue Eyes; Harry Newton and Calum Rickman, Betty Blue Eyes)