Bournemouth and Boscombe Light Opera Company [BBLOC] 
Bournemouth Pavilion, Bournemouth
Jill Richmond 
31 July 2024
Truly a spectacular night to remember! There rarely comes around a performance of a show so dazzling that when it does you can only tell people to go and see it for themselves – this is one of them and is as good as any West End performance and certainly for me topped last years’ professional star-studied 42nd Street UK tour, and if the opening night standing ovation and feverish chatter from the almost full house afterwards was anything to go by, I certainly am not alone in my view.
This is the first time I have watched BBLOC, despite their brilliant reputation in local circles preceding them and I’m sorry for not seeing them sooner. The entire Company do themselves proud for their 70th year and this, their 74th production, based on the book of the same name, by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, originally published in 1933.
Every box is ticked for this incredible show, right down to the decadent art deco Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre, opened in 1929; it echoes and transports us perfectly to 1933 New York City where Julian Marsh (Jonathan Busk) is auditioning for his latest Broadway show – ‘Pretty Lady’ – during the Great Depression. ‘Pretty Lady’ stars Dorothy Brock (Sally Wheeler) who after an injury leaves a role that needs filling, and who better than Peggy Sawyer (Becky Bagnall), the girl with big dreams from Allentown, Pennsylvania. The set is as bold and confident as the cast and the perfect lighting adds to the atmosphere throughout this light-hearted comedy, song and tap dance spectacular.
Becky Bagnall is delightful as Peggy, she truly has it all, allows the audience to feel such warmth from her character throughout and takes us on her character’s journey impeccably. I like her quiet strength in the relationship between her character and the Director Julian Marsh, a role Jonathan Busk was made for and his strong vocals are spine-tingling. Sally Wheeler performs Dorothy Brock with the professionalism of a seasoned gem, a completely safe pair of hands. Her toy-boy Pat Denning, played by Alastair Snell, explores his evidently strong acting skills. Emma Wogan is beautifully sassy as Maggie Jones, with powerful vocals and great stage presence, and Matt Stockham, as Billy Lawler, demonstrates wonderful tap dancing, a strong voice and good acting skills.
I made notes each time there was a number and I felt this was the stand-out number but in the end, I realised they were all stand out and I truly take my hat off to every single member of BBLOC involved in this memorable production.
BBLOC’s performance is perfectly directed by Helen Barrington. Her top-level professional theatre experience shines through in spades. I particularly appreciated how positive this interpretation of 42nd Street is, minimising the focus on the misogyny and hard times of the original, without losing any of its messages. Aptly supported by the marvellous choreography of highly trained Maria Jewiss ensures that the action is captivating, the tap-dancing throughout is beautiful and energy levels maintain sustainably high in this fast-paced epic. Mention must also be given to the talented Ian Peters as Musical Director and the orchestra who are as professional as it gets, and the previous West End career of Production Stage Manager Duncan Hook is evident throughout.
The costumes are wonderful displays of colour and, along with excellent make-up and hair, the performance is a visual delight. There are show-stopping ensemble production numbers and fantastic principal, dance and ensemble performances. It is hard to mention everyone when there were only strong performances throughout but additional stand out performances for me are Chloe-Louisa Hughes, as Ann Reilly, who has strong stage presence and John Bishop, as Andy Lee, provides us with note-worthy beautiful tap dancing.
I am now decidedly a fan of BBLOC.
Tickets are: £21.50 – £29.50; I promise it will be money well spent for a captivating trip to the theatre. 42nd Street runs Wednesday 31 July to Saturday 3 August with performances nightly at 7:30pm and matinees at 2:30pm on Thursday and Saturday.
