THE PRODUCERS
Palace Theatre, Manchester
Until Saturday
OUTRAGEOUS, camp and hilarious — The Producers arrived in the North West in a puff of sequins this week.
The crowd for Tuesday night's gala performance at Manchester's Palace Theatre was chock-a-block with famous faces — from Bolton comedian Dave Spikey to Bury actress Lisa Riley and Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington.
The cast is also crammed with famous names — stand-up turned stage star Jason Manford, comic Phill Jupitus and choreographer Louie Spence.
Every single performer, from the lead actors to the ensemble, gives it 110 per cent in Mel Brooks' musical which sees New York producer Max Bialystock recruit downtrodden accountant Leo Bloom to help him pull off Broadway's greatest scam.
Manford is a revelation as timid Leo, seemingly playing the part — singing, dancing and acting — with ease and taking it in his stride.
Cory English is spectacular as fraudster Max, bounding about the stage effortlessly and note perfect throughout his vocal performances.
They aim to produce the worst show in history — Springtime For Hitler — and run away to Rio with millions but, of course, their ploy does not go to plan.
The result is a riotous mix of eccentric characters with David Bedella putting in a show-stopping turn as flamboyant director Roger De Bris — a role played by Bolton's Peter Kay in 2007.
Featuring a sequin-clad Führer, giant foam arms mimicking the Nazi salute and tap-dancing German soldiers, The Producers takes satire and runs with it.
Never Mind the Buzzcocks team captain Jupitus is side-splittingly funny as Franz Liebkind — a short fused, carrier pigeon keeping, former Nazi.
Spence commands laughter with every wiggle of his hips and exaggerated movement as he shimmies across the stage as flamboyant director's assistant Carmen Ghia.
Tiffany Graves is comical but also sizzles as sexy Swede Ulla as she proves she has most definitely got it — and flaunts it.
Based on the 1968 Academy Award winning film, the musical comedy has taken Broadway and the West End by storm — winning a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards and three Olivier Awards.
Fun, farcical, frivolous and featuring fabulous costumes, hysterical show-tunes, a live band and dazzling dance numbers, let The Producers entertain you like no others.
Runs until Saturday.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here