Touring – reviewed at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
Dreamgirls, the 1981 musical by Tom Eyen, is back on tour, and its glitz, glamour and stellar performances feel like the perfect pick-me-up musical. But it’s also one that is underscored with important commentary, and a strong message of female friendship and solidarity.
The show tells the story of three best friends, Effie White, Deena Jones and Lorrell Robinson, on their quest to become music stars in 1960s America and what happens to them on their way to phenomenal success. inspired by the careers of R&B acts like The Supremes, James Brown and more and manages to successfully bring the world of show-business to life with power ballads, humour and heart.
Debuting on Broadway in the 80s, with a West End production beginning in 2016. After closing in 2019 this tour puts Dreamgirls on the road for the first time in the UK with a stellar production and even more stellar cast.
It’s a beautiful production full of glitzy costumes that feel like an indulgent return to old-fashioned (in a good way) musical theatre. The look and feel is accompanied by some perfect period choreography from Casey Nicholaw. This is a true highlight of this production and is brilliant fun to watch.
The production is slick and feels very fast-paced, with no lengthy scene transitions- aided by a stripped back but effective set design from Tim Hatley. It keeps the flow between scenes seamless and adds pace to the musical. Hatley’s costumes are enough to dress a set regardless, with the glamour of the 60s and 70s fully brought to the stage.
For the Dreamettes particularly we get to follow their evolution as a group through costume in a subtle but important piece of visual storytelling. Equally important in creating the look- and telling a story through costume- are the wigs that chart their style evolution and Josh Marquette’s hair design compliments the costuming perfectly.
The show of course requires strong performances and this case delivers. The Dreamettes at the heart of the show are a group of talented vocalists yes, but also nuanced performers who bring out of the dynamics between the women and their respective struggles perfectly. Deena is brilliantly played by Natalie Kassanga, who is able to successfully capture Deena’s small town naivete and eventual superstardom with grace and naturalism throughout. No matter how bright Deena’s star shines, Kassanga ensures she’s always likeable, with her aspirations of leaving singing behind in favour of acting – much to the horror and dismay of the controlling Curtis – adding a layer of quiet determination. Finishing the talented trio is Paige Peddie as Lorrell, the comedic and caring mediator between Deena and Effie. Peddie’s comic timing is impeccable, adding balance and light to some of the show’s more poignant moments.
Finally, Effie, played by Nicole Raquel Dennis, whose performance of the iconic And I Am Telling You at the end of Act One had the entire audience on its feet. This song has been covered endlessly but you cannot compete with seeing an actress truly perform this song, and perform it Dennis does. You see her live every moment of the song, delivering Effie’s hurt from the bottom of every note. It’s even more of an emotional triumph to see her return then in Act 2 and deliver exquisitely ‘One Night Only’ and ‘Listen’ (the duet added after the film version). Dennis has a vulnerability, coupled with defiance that makes her Effie relatable but also beautifully vulnerable.
While the women quite rightly take centre stage in Dreamgirls mention must also go to the principal male cast who also offer brilliant performances Shem Omari James gives a heartfelt and passionate performance as C.C. White and Brandon Lee Sears adds a huge amount of energy to the show as Jimmy Early. His comic timing is great and his vocals are a delight to listen to. Jo Servi gives an excellent performance as Marty. His rapport with the rest of the cast is great. A special mention must also go to the wonderful Dom Hartley-Harris as Curtis Taylor Jr, the show’s antagonist, whose unrelenting desire to succeed makes him lose sight of the wants and needs of those he claims to be helping. His eventual downfall was another moment that united the audience in complete joy.
They are all supported by a talented ensemble, who delivers in both choreography and vocals. The latter of which must be appreciated- it’s a complex and quite relentless score but the vocals, and accompaniment are impeccable under the direction of Simona Budd.
As a musical, there’s a lot to love in a behind-the-scenes drama set in the music industry. The trials and tribulations of young Black women and the challenges they face feel as relevant today as when it was written or set. There are many important comments, among the glitz and music about race and feminism, and audiences could and should give pause to that side of the story too. The show has an undertone of honesty and realism that has endured. But also positivity, the ultimate message of female friendship and support, of lifting one another up is also one much of the world could be reminded of too.
Dreamgirls is at the Wales Millenium Centre until 30th April 2022 tickets are available here
Touring the country until 2023 full details here
‘The perfect pick-me-up musical’: @EmiGarside catches @Dreamgirls_UK, starring @NicoleRaquel_D as Effie White. It’s at Cardiff’s @TheCentre til 30 Apr before continuing its post-West End, UK-wide tour. #Dreamgirls #DreamgirlsUK #musicals
