Helena Blackman and the Brothers in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the New Wimbledon Theatre and touring
Seven Brides For Seven Brothers was performed at the New Wimbledon, London and continues on tour until 10 May, 2014.
The biggest surprise about the musical Seven Brides For Seven Brothers is that it was not originally a stage production. It was a movie musical starring Howard Keel and Jane Powell that became one of the biggest hits of the MGM golden age of musicals. Based on a short story by Stephen Vincent Benét, itself a satire on Plutarch’s Rape of the Sabine Women, the movie is notable for its stunning choreography by Michael Kidd and distinctly hummable melodies including ‘Bless Your Beautiful Hide’ and ‘Wonderful, Wonderful Day’.
In the early 1980s the musical movie became musical theatre, with added songs by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn. This current tour, directed and choreographed by Patti Colombo, may look like a traditional revival with elements of design more reminiscent of a sumptuous pantomime than backwoods Oregon, but the winning combination of energy and enthusiasm from the young, or rather age-appropriate, cast raises the stakes together with Colombo’s boisterous choreography.
Seven Brides For Seven Brothers may suffer from a single-strand storyline, but the memorable tunes bring the narrative to life as much as the dynamic choreography. ‘Sobbin’ Women’ and ‘Goin’ Courtin’ are amusing choral numbers directly lifted from the movie that weave perfectly into the story, while the new songs such as ‘Where Were You?’ and ‘Am I Stubborn?’ add some much-needed development to Adam Pontipee’s character.
Sam Attwater, perhaps better known for his television appearances in EastEnders and Hollyoaks, makes an acceptable leading man, providing an attractive blend of charisma and actual talent as Adam, the head of the Pontipee clan. His American accent slides off course occasionally but his easy, baritone and confident air make up for anything lacking in the relatively thin story.
The rest of the Pontipee clan are all great fun, from the tender innocence of Jack Greaves’ Gideon to the simple pragmatism of Ross Meagrow’s Benjamin. Physically, they are all extremely strong dancers and exhibit finely-muscled torsos regularly throughout the production, no doubt honed to replicate the rigours of backwoods living. Notable among the siblings is Sam Stones who makes a fine job of Frank, the most ornery of the brothers, coupling a strong line in physical comedy with some great dance moves.
Not to be out-done, there are an equal amount of suitors able to match the brothers move for move, a fact that comes to the fore at the social dance, which features a frenzy of axe-wielding and partner-swapping on the dance floor. The object of the boy’s affection is a bevy of pretty young ladies, who match the boys’ moves but never really get a chance to develop any of their characters. This said, there are a few comedy stand-outs including Georgina Parkinson as Alice and Carrie Willis as Dorcas.
Ultimately the star of this show is Helena Blackman as Adam’s love interest Milly, an orphan in the wilderness, forced to earn her keep by working in the local hostelry. Strong-willed and kind-hearted, Blackman brings just the right level of humour to the role and captures both Adam and the audience’s heart with the delightful leitmotif, ‘Wonderful, Wonderful Day’ and a soaring mezzo that can melt every brother’s heart.
Paul Vale
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