Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton, review: Crazy For You

Crazy For You – The New Gershwin Musical, Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton, to Dec 7.

Staging a Gershwin musical that’s drawn in the crowds on Broadway and the West End is an ambitious project for any theatre company, but when you consider the performers of the Rabble Youth Theatre are all aged between eight and 16, it’s amazing. The scene changes as the story switches between New York and Deadrock, Nevada, make things difficult, and the young cast have to deliver their lines in (mainly) American or Hungarian accents. Most of the songs were performed as solos by the amazing young stars of the show, Molly Benson who really shines as leading lady, Polly Baker, and Isaac Baker who plays the a character called Bobby Child – who in turn, impersonates dance director Bela Zangler.

The songs are difficult, and not the usual Gershwin melodies we are all familiar with, so hats off to Molly and Isaac, and also to Jake Benson, who puts in a good performance as the real Bela Zangler. The young stars of the future in the chorus also put in sterling performances backed by an excellent six-piece band. Rabble Youth Theatre is a not-for-profit organisation which provides theatre opportunities for young people. It is run by volunteers and all proceeds from membership fees and ticket sales go towards productions and rehearsal costs.

For this production they are supported by the other local theatre groups at the Abbey Theatre including Abbey Players, Masqueraders, NAODS and Sudden Impulse. For tickets call 07773 045 816.

Pictured are the cast, standing left to right: Ella Bowman, Caitlin Yates, Frankie Russell, Lyla Cooke, Sylvie Bird, Izzy Bromage, Isaac Baker, Madison Swallow, Harry Long, Molly Benson, Jake Benson, George Maoudis, Alex Davies, Naomi Daffern, Anya Briggs, Josie Boucher. Kneeling: Jack Deaves, Kelsey Williams, Dylan Jackson and Finley Minchinton-Hill.