BMOS – Miracle on 34th Street at the New Alexandra Theatre Birmingham Review
15-18 November 2017
Reviewed byEmma Legge
Having seen BMOS’s (Birmingham Midland Operatic Society) last musical, ‘My Fair Lady’ at the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham, I was excited to see what they would produce in this version of Meredith Wilson’s Miracle on 34th Street. BMOS has been entertaining audiences for 131 years so I urge you to not to think ‘amateur’ when attending one of their shows.
This time I took some fierce critics with me, my children, 15-year-old Sophie, 12-year-old William and 5-year-old Florence! All are big fans of the 1994 film (I couldn’t believe it when I read in the programme that it was 22 years old!) so were excited to see this musical version. I had no idea that the Miracle story actually originated in 1947 as a Christmas comedy-drama film to huge critical acclaim winning Academy awards. Then in 1963, Meredith Wilson, best known for ‘The Music Man’ bought the story to the Broadway Stage and it has now become a touring show.
The set design, whilst being more basic than some of the big shows, certainly sets the scene well. The opening act was full of bright costumes, singing and dancing and displayed the Macy’s Thanks Giving Parade beautifully. Early on in the story, we’re introduced to Susan who, in this performance was performed by Willow Heath. What can I say? I truly think that Willow is set to be a star of the future! At just 7 years old, she blew us all away with her vocal ability and stage presence. My daughter, herself a singer, in particular was hugely impressed by ‘Susan’ in her hospital scene with Kris Kringle. They both performed two separate songs but at the same time fantastically which Sophie assures me is ridiculously hard even with experience. Other actors who must be mentioned are Jo Smith who plays Susan’s mother Doris Walker, Matthew Collins who plays Fred Gailey and Stewart Keiller, who plays Kris Kringle so well that Florence whispered to me half way through…’Mummy, you were wrong, this man IS the real Father Christmas!’
It must be mentioned that the storyline of the musical does differ from that well known ‘recent’ film. I also feel that it was not as child friendly as I expected it to be. This is in no way any fault of BMOS, it is simply the licensed script that they must follow. This makes it a good adult night out or for older children however, Florence did cope by sitting on my lap so I could whisper to her what was going on. I would not recommend it for younger than 5.
Overall, I thought that the performance was fantastic, but for me, it is not one of my favourite musicals, maybe because it’s so different from a film I know so well, or probably mostly because the sound score is not at all well known. But the BMOS team, once again impressed me wholeheartedly and I really do recommend that you go and see them in action. Not only will you be supporting people with a real passion for the stage but I truly believe their performances will inspire the next generation of stage performers… Both Sophie and Florence came away wanting to be right up there with them!
Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £13.40 to £30.40 (plus £4 transaction fee).
BMOS – Miracle on 34th Street is at the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham from 15-18 November 2017, for more information or to book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com/birmingham or call the box office on 0844 871 3011.
New Alexandra Theatre, Suffolk Queensway, Birmingham, West Midlands, B5 4DS
