Bedknobs And Broomsticks At Liverpool Empire Review

Reviewed by Charlie Bracher-Parkes

I have probably watched the Bedknobs and Broomsticks film more than 100 times as a child and adult and it’s safe to say I LOVE IT.

Set in the 1940’s the magical witch Miss Eglantine Price (Dianne Pilkington), Mr Browne (Charles Brunton) and the evacuated children Charlie (Conor O’Hara), Carrie (Poppy Houghton) and Paul (Haydn Court) from London whizz about on the flying bed. They search for a spell book down Portobello Road and bob along on the bottom of the beautiful briny sea meeting talking fish and animals on the way. With classic, catchy Disney songs and animation mixed in the film is so beautiful and eye catching. So, I had high hopes when the musical came to Liverpool Empire.  I can say with confidence that the theatre show created by Michael Harrison does not disappoint!!!

There’s the magic. Real magic! I had read reviews that said the magic is some of the best they had seen, and I have to agree. As Miss Price said the magic words to her newly acquired broomstick there were audible gasps from the audience as it danced magically and independently across the stage. She then flew with ease across the stage with parts of the set and props moving around her to show that she was indeed flying. The main star was the bed which at the magic words from Paul lit up in multicolours, rose up on the stage and floated about. The show is littered with smaller bits of magic that add the whole ambience and lead you to believe that Miss Price is a real witch.

The sets are magnificent! As the main characters move about the stage and change locations the sets are moved by other actors dressed to blend in making it a magical and smooth transition. Trains and motorbikes are created from multiple layers all being held together and moved as a team creating a cohesive and seamless set. As well as the centre stage action there is also lots to look at with across the set as they are so beautifully made. We escaped from urban, war bombed London, to the countryside, down to bustling Portobello Road with gorgeous markets, to under the sea surrounded by florescent fish. The colours of the set and clothing really made it feel from the 1940’s giving depth to story.

As part of the storyline the main characters meet several animal characters that were played by beautiful puppets, these were handled by other actors dressed to blend in with the background. The puppets were gorgeous and moved so well that you almost forgot that they weren’t real.

The musical includes all the classic Disney songs including Age of Not Believing, Portobello Road, Eglantine and Beautifully Brinny. They have also written new songs for this production which blend in well.

The cast were incredible bringing us along for a great journey and they all sang so well. I was in awe of the younger cast members who were so professional.

Rating:
Five Stars *****

Bedknobs and Broomsticks is on at the Liverpool Empire from 22nd February 2022 until 26th February 2022.

Tickets are available from £13 (editor’s note – plus a £3.65 transaction fee) and I would recommend this show for the whole family. It was wonderful.

To book tickets please visit Bedknobs and Broomsticks Tickets | Liverpool Empire in Liverpool | ATG Tickets.