|
         |
Fri 27 Apr 2007 Tutti Frutti **** FURTHER proof of rock'n'roll's refusal to sink quietly into an early grave returns to the King's this week with The Majestics in full-blooded cry in John Byrne's Tutti Frutti. Memories of the original TV programme - launchpad for the careers of Emma Thompson and Robbie Coltrane - might be fading after 20 years, but the stage musical doesn't just fill its predecessor's shoes, it positively struts in them. It helps that Tom Urie is in both fine voice and a great physical presence as Danny McGlone, the not-so-wee brother of the Majestics' lead singer. He is the catalyst around which the whole production revolves. It is Danny's relationship with old flame, the feisty redhead Suzy Kettles (Dawn Steele), that drives the plot right into the heart of the mythical world of The Majestics, as he takes over his brother's place in the band for their silver anniversary tour around the fleapits of Scotland. This is not just a well-conceived romp through the classic rock'n'roll catalogue, although that is certainly on the cards with plenty of finely executed cover versions of everything from Great Balls of Fire to the title track itself. It also has a strong sense of purpose as the truths of life on the road are revealed. Danny becomes drawn into the Peter Pan world of the lads who refuse to grow old as they stick to their guitars, leaving shattered relationships in their wake and living on a very large dose of self-delusion. To the end, it is a production which also demands great strength in depth in its performers. Barrie Hunter and John McGlynn are more than up to the musical demands of playing Fud and Barrie, the Majestics' bass and drums unit, while creating comic characters who have a strong edge in reality. Of the band, Tam Dean Burn as the womanising Vincent has the most demanding role. He treads the tragicomic tightrope with real skill, as his latest and youngest conquest turns up on tour, doing so with the announcement that she is pregnant. Against them, the bitter reality of commercial life is made flesh and blood in the superb double act of John Ramage, as the band's seedy manager Eddie Clockerty, and Julie Wilson Nimmo as his seriously sarcastic secretary, Janice Toner, in an era-establishing wardrobe of hideous Eighties outfits. Cutting a six episode television programme into a three-hour stage show is something of a logistical challenge. And with the likes of Gavin Mitchell, as Buckie's favourite DJ, and Alan McHugh on board in the rest of the 13-strong cast, there is enough talent to play all the incidental parts along the way. For the return of the show after its first tour last autumn, there have been a few changes. It is a lot sleeker and more slickly presented for a start. More importantly, the original and slightly overblown ending has been altered to draw some of its sting. If anything, this just makes it more coherent, and underlines Tutti Frutti's status as a must-see show. • Run ends tomorrow This article from here
|