Review – CRAZY FOR YOU at the Artrix Theatre, Bromsgrove, from Tuesday, June 17 to Saturday, June 21, 2014.

THIS was a cracking little show provided by the ranks of the Bromsgrove Operatic Society.

Well, not that little, as with a cast of 31, half as many behind the scenes, and 13 in the orchestra, it was a sizeable task getting it all to gel but with everyone pulling together, and obviously enjoying themselves, they achieved their aims in style.

This George and Ira Gershwin musical comedy of Ken Ludwig’s book about a young banker determined to be a dancer is meant to be fun and frothy and it’s there in abundance.

Deadrock may be a quiet hick town in the back of Nevada’s beyond but when a rich playboy turns up on the patch there’s no shortage of unusual events. He’s been sent to close the old Gaiety, a rundown theatre run by a rundown Everett Baker (George Brooks) and the girl he falls in love with, Everett’s daughter Polly (Joanna Hughes).

Rob Holcroft plays Bobby Child, whose mega-rich mother (Loraine O’Rourke) tries every trick to keep him in the family banking empire, but he is desperate to ‘tap’ into another business – showbusiness, and Holcroft proves he and Bobby can both sing and dance along the escape route.

It was his infectious enthusiasm which set the benchmark that everyone was happy to follow, and all much to the credit of director/choreographer Chris Love.

There were several outstanding moments in which he was involved – forging a fine partnership with Joanna Hughes and toping it off with a most entertaining comedy scene with Mark Williams (Bela Zangler) – which reprised, in a manner of speaking, the well known panto mirror routine.

Yes, there was the occasional hiccup – a fluffed line here and an odd dancing blip there, but it should be remembered this was a group of amateur actors and actesses doing their best, and without doubt the quality of the singing and acting deserved plenty of plaudits.

The show is blessed with several timeless favourites such as I Got Rhythm, They Can’t Take That Away From Me and Someone to Watch Over Me and the cast, in particular the two leads, did them justice.

Fine performances too from the Follies – all five of them... Becky Brown, Julia Jones, Joy Sidaway, Sue Thomas and Ella Wainwright. Style and stamina to boot!

Crazy For You is a happy and exhilarating musical and treated the way BOS did it served only to enhance their good reputation in providing a delightful night out.