REVIEW: IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, September 16 2009

There's been an unsurprising amount of excitement about this particular new musical's debut. Based on a much-loved film, from a creative team with a proven track record, the pressure has been on the New Wolsey and the company to make It's A Wonderful Life a hit.

And by and large they do. The programme notes are careful to point out that the show is in an early stage of development - indeed, I'm told that there are no plans for the production to transfer or even tour in the immediate future - so there are definitely a few bits and pieces that need tidying up. Act One is much longer than Act Two, and as such our hero George Bailey's descent into dystopia and subsequent redemption feels rather rushed. Some of the lyrics need a little polish; one or two of the rhymes are too clunky or glaringly obvious.

The score, though, is very pretty. It's A Wonderful Life is through-sung, and there are a few stand-out melodies if no one big show-stopping number. And the company are exceptional - Paul Thornley as George Bailey deserves immense praise for his powerhouse performance, holding the audience's eye and engagement throughout. Helen Anker makes a cute leading lady, albeit one with some rather shrill high notes. Kerry Washington is immense as Mrs Bailey, particularly in her intensely moving solo where she grieves for the loss of her child.

Ah, children. Admittedly under-13s in musical theatre are one of my bugbears (especially if they have any kind of singing part), and admittedly I've been quite poorly recently and am still having problems hearing high-pitched sounds, but the group of children portraying George, Mary and their friends in their younger years were totally incomprehensible to me. I'm willing to attribute this to my own failings or perhaps problems with the acoustics, but I suspect in a bigger auditorium their articulation would be swallowed up even more.

All in all, though, this is a very promising first step in a musical's evolution. I look forward to seeing how it progresses in the months and years to come.

Test and expand your Broadway knowledge with our new game - The Broadway Match-Up! How well do you know your Broadway casting trivia?	Play the Daily Game, explore current shows, and delve into past decades like the 2000s, 80s, and the Golden Age. Challenge your friends and see where you rank!
How well do you know your Tony Awards history? Take our never-ending quiz of nominations and winner history and challenge your friends.	Can you beat your friends? Play today’s daily Broadway word game, featuring a new theatrically inspired word or phrase every day!