REVIEW: Movies to Musicals 2023

Updated: Jun 2

Theatre Royal Glasgow

19 February 2023

Movies to Musicals [Musical Theatre, Glasgow, 2023] Louise Dearman, Alistair Brammer, Laura Pick. Photo: Lisa in the Theatre

When I was invited to attend and review this show I was prepared to be polite. A charity allowing local kids to perform on stage with industry professionals for free can only be a good thing. And it is! But there is no need for manners here. What Ross Gunning and his team have achieved is astonishing.

I saw 37 happy, talented, true triple-threat teens, sing, dance and act alongside a world-class live orchestra and three phenomenal West End stars. They all came together harmoniously and the end result was a proper musical theatre extravaganza.

The show opened with the young cast confidently performing 'A Musical' from Something Rotten. A clever and inspired choice!

Next Louise Dearman calmly walked on stage and laid down a devastating version of one of my all-time favourite musical theatre songs, 'She Used to be Mine' from Waitress. I was not prepared for that, so yes, I was in tears before 8pm.

There was a glorious Hamilton medley with authentic costumes and choreography. Hamilton is hard! And yet the youngsters delivered it; lyrics, moves, attitude, the lot.

Still in the first half, Alistair Brammer almost melted the stage with a blistering rendition of 'Heaven on my Mind' from Jesus Christ Superstar. Gloriously lit in reds and oranges, Alistair was on fire! I've never witnessed a better performance of that number and I've seen 'Superstar' many, many times. Incredible.

The lighting for whole show was exceptional. Top notch from Kieran Kenny. The Act 1 finale Defying Gravity from Wicked performed by Laura Pick and Louise Dearman, supported by the kids cast, was jaw dropping in its ambition. It made my stagey heart soar with delight.

Movies to Musicals [Ross Gunning, Glasgow Philharmonic Orchestra, Musical Theatre, Glasgow, 2023] Louise Dearman, Alistair Brammer, Laura Pick. Production photo credit: Iain Spowart photographer

The hits kept coming all night with more from Wicked, Miss Saigon, Jersey Boys and Les Mis. There was a beautiful orchestral piece from the Mission; and an epic Six tribute with the mini Queens even sporting the finest of costumes.

Movies to Musicals is a joy! Touring this autumn and then returning to Glasgow for their 10th anniversary next February, I can't wait to see what they do next.