THE Laurence Olivier Award-winning musical “Our House” will be performed in Dorset for the first time next month. The show won the Best New Musical award in 2003, beating strong competition from the stage production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the Bollywood style hit Bombay Dreams.
In its short history the show has enjoyed a West End run, tours of Japan and the UK and a primetime outing on BBC Three.
The modern classic is now available to amateur group’s for the first time, and will have a three-night run at Bridport’s Electric palace starting at the end of March.
The show has proved time and time again that it is not another “cash-in” on a chart topping favourite with a twisting double storyline expertly written by Tim Firth, the man behind the West End record holding stage production of Calendar Girls.
The complex storyline follows the story of Joe Casey who, on the night of his sixteenth birthday, takes the girl of his dreams, out on their first date. In an effort to impress her he breaks into a building site overlooking his home, which is owned by a high-end property developer. The police turn up, at which point Joe’s life splits into two: the Good Joe, who stays to help, and Bad Joe, who flees.
M.A.D.
Taking on the challenging show are Marvellous Amateur Dramatics (MAD), who won the NODA award for excellence for their debut show “Summer Holiday” and were reviewed as being a “theatrical force to be reckoned with” by industry experts.
Directing the show this year is Bernie Fallon and Choreography comes from Jane Hutchins.
The demanding role of Joe Casey, featuring no less than 27 costume changes, is played by young Colyton talent Alex Hall. Playing opposite Alex is Woodroffe pupil Grace Keeler who made her stage debut in MAD’s first production last year.
Expertly weaved into the story are all the classic Madness hits including “Baggy Trousers”, “It Must Be Love” and “Wings of a Dove” as well as a few songs specially written for the show.
Energetic dance routines, touching performances and dazzling harmonies help bring the Ska band’s music to life and add new dimensions to the music ensuring that even the most critical old-school musical lovers will approve.
The Madness musical “Our House” will be performed at Bridport’s Electric Palace from March 31st to April 2nd 2011.
Tickets are now on sale
From Bridport Music in South Street, Bridport priced £10 for adults and £8 for under 16s. To book telephone 01308 425707. To find out more about MAD visit www.marvellousamdram.co.uk or join the facebook group “Its MAD”.
