If singing nuns, mid-western belles and French revolutionaries aren’t your idea of an evening’s entertainment then Whitley Bay Operatic Society’s latest musical offering is bound to convince you otherwise this April.
The Society has stepped away from the more traditional musical and is currently working hard at rehearsals for what is set to be yet another success story for the group with the critically acclaimed “The Witches of Eastwick”. This originally gained mass exposure in the 1970s as the Warner Brothers cult classic film, starring Jack Nicholson, Cher, Susan Sarandon and a fresh faced Michelle Pfeiffer.
The stage show based on the film and the John Updike novel tells the tale of sleepy Eastwick and its inhabitants – in particular three women each with their own insecurities who have one thing in common – they all want to be loved. Following an evening of a few(!) cocktails, they unwittingly invite the ‘Horny Little Devil’ into their lives, beautifully depicted in the enchanting song “Make Him Man”.
Darryl Van Horne’s arrival in town brings the emotions of residents to the fore; some fear, some feel displeasure but the majority are inflicted with lust. Darryl persuades the women and townsfolk to release their inner selves from the mundane routines that are their day to day lives.
The show is back-to-back with song and dance routines set to impress and in some cases make you a little hot under the collar…
With a battle of Good versus Evil and – typical to all good musicals – a love story, this show will convert even the biggest musical cynic to the idea that musicals are for all and not about lonely goatherds, cockney flower girls or orphaned children; oh, and there’s a flying scene too!
Show week is from Tuesday 15th until Saturday 19th April, with nightly performances starting at 7.15pm plus an additional matinee performance at 2.15pm on Saturday. With tickets starting from £13 for concessions (senior citizens/students with valid NUS) and £15 for full price seats, this is a great investment for a night away from reality TV overkill and provides instead an evening of song, dance and a little bit of Devilish behaviour!
Tickets are available from the Whitley Bay Playhouse Box Office on 0844 248 1588 or online at www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk.
Please note however, the Society advises parents that as the production does have some adult themes and language, the show may not be appropriate for a junior audience.