All Shook Up, Springers - Chelmsford

Guest Reviewer:Corinna Groombridge

Springers recently presented their take on the jukebox musical, All Shook Up, a light-hearted story inspired by Shakespeare's Twelfth Night set to the iconic music of Elvis Presley. The musical follows Chad, a guitar-playing roustabout, as he rides into a small, repressed town and shakes things up with his music and rebellious spirit. Romance blossoms, identities are mistaken, and ultimately, love conquers all in this feel-good show.

Springers' production boasted some impressive elements, particularly on a vocal front but we’ll get on to that. The innovative use of a projector screen for the set design was highly effective, streamlining scene changes and minimising the need for bulky set pieces. This modern approach allowed for a dynamic and visually engaging backdrop.

The costumes nicely captured the era's vibrant colours and styles. Each character's attire seemed carefully considered for the most part, contributing to their individual personalities, although Dennis’ glasses were a little distracting at times because of the glare when they reacted against the lights. The little details, like the "blue suede" tap shoes, were a charming and appreciated touch. It’s a shame that this level of detail wasn’t as well considered with Natalie’s ‘Ed’ attire – why were her trousers so different from Chad’s when the rest of the outfit matched perfectly. Miss Sandra's costume could have also been elevated to better reflect her character's allure and sophistication; perhaps a more form-fitting pencil skirt dress would have made her stand out more effectively.

Technically, the performance encountered some hurdles. While the ambition was evident, occasional issues with lighting cues and distracting microphone feedback and balancing issues unfortunately detracted from the performances on stage. These gremlins are always hard to perfect when the technical crew have a very limited time with the cast before show week.

The choreography, while generally simple, was well executed and served the musical's needs. There was a clear strength within the core group of dancers, and while the choreography worked, it felt like their talents could have been pushed further with more challenging routines. The sight of the entire 45-person cast participating in the larger group numbers, however, was undeniably noteworthy.

The true star of the show, however, was undoubtedly the music. Under the direction of the talented Phil Toms, the orchestra delivered a truly outstanding performance. The harmonies were simply breathtaking – clear, strong, and impeccably drilled. They were so good that they sent genuine goosebumps down my spine! This level of musicality is a testament to the dedication and talent within Springers; an ensemble to be proud of.

The cast also deserves praise for their individual characterisations. Each performer brought a unique flavour to their role, creating well-defined and believable personalities.

Luke Harding's portrayal of Chad captured the mellow crooner style reminiscent of Elvis, although his diction occasionally suffered, and a touch more of the Elvis caricature might have played well. Harding’s subtleties would’ve been perfect for the screen, but needed to be more for the stage. He settled into the role nicely, especially alongside Lexy Phillips, who delivered a powerful and emotionally resonant performance as Natalie. Phillips captured Natalie’s comedic lovestruck side with Chad brilliantly, while ensuring a strong contrast with more emotional moments with her friends and father. Her ‘Ed’ persona worked well, again highlighting some good comedic moments, but she could’ve really lent into the Chad mimic a bit more perhaps with a starker contrast in her speaking tone.

Standout performances to me belonged to Lula Hemmings as Lorraine and Greg Morgan as Dean. Hemmings brought such a delightful innocence to her role, while Morgan displayed a magnetic energy to his, drawing me in from the off. Their chemistry was palpable, their comedic timing impeccable, and their vocal harmonies were impressive and flawless and a definite highlight. They truly shone on stage.

Matt Scott as Dennis showcased his impressive guitar skills as he expertly played live on stage with the band. He particularly came into his own as Chad's 'Sidekick', embracing the comedic aspects of the role. While his baritone range was well-suited to the part, there were moments where his higher notes felt slightly strained. This may have been a technical issue related to vocal balance, perhaps requiring him to push harder to be heard above the ensemble. This is a minor point, however, and didn't detract significantly from his overall performance.

Emma Loring's portrayal of Miss Sandra was formidable. Her powerful projection, both in song and spoken word, commanded the stage. Loring convincingly embodied the confident and sensual museum curator. While her characterisation was strong, it was noticeable that she sometimes held tension in her shoulders, particularly when expressing disgust towards Chad or lustful frustration for 'Ed'. Relaxing her posture in these moments and putting more focus on her great facial expressions might further enhance the nuances of her performance.

Sylvia (Deborah Anderson), and Jim (Colin Shoard) delivered endearing performances. Anderson demonstrated excellent delivery and comedic timing, bringing a bright and believable quality to her role. Shoard, in turn, imbued Jim with a sweet, loving nature that resonated with the audience.

Finally, Katie Finch as Mayor Matilda and Barry Miles as Sheriff Earl, were a masterclass in comedic performance. Finch commanded the stage with her brilliant comedic stage presence and impressive vocal range. Miles, in contrast, delivered a powerfully understated performance. Though his lines were few, his body language and facial expressions spoke volumes, making his infrequent dialogue even more impactful.

Overall, Springers’ production of All Shook Up was an enjoyable evening of musical theatre. Despite a few technical glitches, the strengths of the music, character work, and the innovative set design made for a memorable and entertaining experience. Congratulations Springers on a well-deserved standing ovation performance!