Our House: The Madness Musical

Five stars

The Hawth Theatre, Crawley, Thursday, September 26

FOR anyone who grew up in the early Eighties loving the music of Madness, this was a fantastic opportunity to recapture their youth.

Our House: The Madness musical, tells the story of Joe Casey (Jarrod Hopson).

The story begins on the night of his 16th birthday when he takes the girl of his dreams, Sarah, on their first date.

In an unfortunate turn of events, the police turn up, leaving Joe with two options, right or wrong.

Here the story splits in two and follows how Joe’s life could turn out depending on which path he chooses to follow.

The cast is full of pizzazz throughout the entire performance and sustain such high energy, even in the none stop dance routines.

Ariel’s production team really do a ground breaking job at creating such a realistic and phenomenal adaptation.

Each role was carefully cast and each person, without exception, shone in their position.

Whether it was their challenging singing and harmonies, their believable acting or precise dancing, performances were done to their utmost, which enhanced the show so much.

I must comment on the brilliant comedic timing between the six main characters, Joe and Sarah (Marisha Gray), Sarah’s friends: Billie (Chelsea Hennessey ), Angie (Megan Roberts) and Joe’s friends: Emmo (Tom Clarke) and Lewis (Richard Gill) .

Utterly hilarious at times, almost stealing the show with their antics which was uplifting in this otherwise rather meaningful show.

Anna Hadden’s performance as Joe’s mum depicted such realism and emotion that you couldn’t help but empathise with her.

Similarly, Simon Fellingham once more conveyed a sensitive portrayal in his title role as Joe’s Dad, which was emphasised by the dusk lighting.

Much loved, songs filled with emotion, such as Our House, Baggy Trousers and It Must Be Love, captured the audience throughout.

The result of which was that you felt transported with each scene and you couldn’t help but feel that you too lived on Casey Street along with the cast

This was another incredible production by Ariel Company Theatre, and fans should now be waiting in anticipation for Bugsy Malone in October next year back at the Hawth, Crawley.

Grace Graham