The Queens Theatre Hornchurch’s latest production comes to us from the award laden pen of playwrite Bob Eaton. Eaton’s credits include the award-winning Lennon and Our Day Out as well as director duties for musical Soul Sister, based on the life of Tina Turner. Here with Roll Over Beethoven, Eaton has created a wonderful and comedic play, (very loosely based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet) to the backdrop of 50’s rock & roll.
There are some quite heavy themes touched upon in the play; murder, adultery and 50’s attitudes to homosexuality. There is some occasional swearing and the odd risque imagery, so I would not say this is one for younger audiences. However this is not the dark and lamenting play of Hamlet, and the whole production is bright and colourful and in many places hilarious. Eaton should be applauded for getting the balance between dark and light just right.
We follow our protagonist Johnny hamlet (Cameron Jones) as he returns to to a grey post war 50’s London. Johnny is unsure where to go next in his life until he discovers the sounds of Rock & Roll and the enchanting Ophelia (Lucy Wells). But all is not well, as Johnny begins to unwrap the mystery of his father’s death and is haunted by the ever present spectre of his ghost (Fred Broom).
As always with the Queen’s Theatre production’s, the cast are superb. very funny and extremely talented. The music to the play is incredible and performed to the highest level of skill. I genuinely couldn’t fault the music production in this play, it really is as good as any I have heard. The band (especially Gregory Clarke) are on top form and obviously highly skilled musicians in their own right.
There are 3 of the cast members however that for me gave stand out performances. Cameron Jones as Johnny was very impressive. Once again his voice is incredibly strong and I predict great things for him in the future. Its very easy to forget that he is only just beginning his stage career. Sarah Mahoney plays Johnny’s adulterous mother Gertie and is quite simply stunning. I have reviewed Sarah’s performances before and the same applies here, her voice is worthy of any west end theatre and in my humble opinion she was the star of the show for me. Finally Fred Broom as Johnny’s Father/The Ghost. Fred has been in many productions at the Queens Theatre and he never disappoints. He is for me the strongest actor in the cast able to be frightening, lamenting and hilarious in a matter of seconds. Fred Broom is a treat to watch perform.
Roll Over Beethoven is running until 12 September so catch it while you can. It is a wonderful and very funny play with exceptional top quality music. Regulars to the theatre will know what a strong cast they have, but if you haven’t seen them before, go watch this play. You will not be disappointed with this brilliantly fun night out. And for you thespians out there, keep an eye out for the occasional Hamlet references… (Prince of Denmark Street).
Tickets are from £12.50 – £27. By joining the Queen’s jump the Q Season Ticket scheme, customers can watch all three Queen’s Theatre productions this season – Roll Over Beethoven, bittersweet comedy Steel Magnolias and chilling thriller Don’t Look Now – from just £12.50 each. A WEEKENDER ticket is £49.50 (any night for £16.50 each) and the super value SAVER is £37.50 (Tuesday – Thursday, previews and matinees for just £12.50 each.)
Call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or book online at queens-theatre.co.uk<https://www.queens-theatre.co.uk/>
Chris
@CW_Stagg
All photos used with permission of The Queens Theatre Hornchuch. All photo credits are to Mark Sepple.
