Witches of Eastwick
Empire Theatre, Liverpool
Until 7th April
Singing star Marti Pellow, works the audience as well as his three ‘conquests’ as wicked devil Darryl Van Horne, in the Witches of Eastwick producing two curtain calls and a standing ovation.
This show is slick and sexy, though some scenes work better than others. Overt groin thrusting from Pellow and unashamed sexual overtones to the lyrics make this musical a fun night out. However, it is not a show to which you might take your maiden aunt!
There is a tongue–in-cheek cadence to the whole proceedings where Pellow’s devil arrives as the ‘stranger in town’ and soon wreaks havoc with the feelings of small town frustrated females. It doesn’t take much for him to have his wicked way with three of them using just his immense charisma and spell-binding intentions, turning them from prim New Englanders to sexy witches. And all the while the chorus tut-tuts, singing about ‘dirty laundry’ and the flagrant goings on at Van Horne’s residence where his three conquests enjoy getting down and dirty with their ‘perfect’ man.
For there is nothing subtle about this show. What makes it all work is the comedic dialogue and libretto by John Dempsey and Dana P Rowe. There are many moments when you feel you are about to be embarrassed, then laugh out loud. The three witches are energetically played by Ria Jones, Rebecca Thornhill and Poppy Tierney whose singing voices merge wonderfully, though at times strident notes add an uneasy edge to the harmony. Their presence on stage is all-empowering and it could be said they are the real stars of this production.
The disapproving and overbearing matriarch of the town, Felicia Gabriel, is brilliantly played by Rachel Izen. Strutting about the stage like a sergeant major she is a real trouper, especially the near-operatic heroic diatribe at her husband – a key moment in the musical, not least because he kills her, then kills himself!
The mood shifts from fun and sexy to dark and self-loathing. When Pellow the devil seduces an innocent girl and takes her as his bride, even though her parents have just died, the witches rebel. In an orgasmic climax to the wedding ceremony they cast a powerful spell in revenge. He enters the church and dramatically descends into hell - though a comedy moment follows swiftly. The girl, sweetly played by Jennifer Kirkland, then returns to boyfriend Michael (Chris Thatcher) whose voice is warm and mellow which counterbalances the somewhat sharp notes of Kirland.
Pellow is nothing if energetic, with creepy acting and witty gestures, enamouring the audience. However, at times his breathy singing masks his articulation, particularly when the words come so fast that you miss chunks of the libretto.
The simple yet effective sets, evocative 50s costumes, vigorous dancing and superb direction by Nikolia Foster, makes this an entertaining night out. John Updike, who wrote the original story in 1984, and who died in January, would have been proud to have seen his tale of lasciviousness and retribution depicted in a Warner Bros film in 1987, and as a successful musical, via Cameron Mackintosh, which has toured the UK, Australia, USA, Russia and Japan.
Rating: 8/10
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