Disney’s Bedknobs And Broomsticks At Fesival Theatre, Edinburgh Review

Reviewed by Emily

Disney’s musical Bedknobs and Broomsticks lives up to its sub-title ‘The Magical Musical’.

It is directed by Candice Edmunds and Jamie Harrison. With music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman it is based on the novel by Mary Norton and the film of the same name.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks follows the story of Charlie, Carrie and Paul Rawlins against the backdrop of the Second World War where they lose their parents. They are reluctantly evacuated to the countryside, safely away from the falling bombs. Mrs Hobday who in in charge of the rehoming the children moved to the countryside, places the children in the care of the slightly eccentric Miss Eglantine Price played by Diane Pilkington.

The children very quickly discover that Miss Price has some magical qualities when they see her on her broomstick. The children use their knowledge to begin with to blackmail her but very quickly they become involved in the magic after they learn about why she is learning magic. She wants to use it to help with the war effort and they decided to help her on her mission and along the way they meet Professor Emelius Browne (Charles Brunton) the performer. Their quest to find a spell take them on an adventure on the magical bed. They discover the spell is on the medallion that Peter has seen in his book, around King Leonidas’ neck on the Island of Nopeepo. They land in the lagoon and must win a dancing contest to be able to visit the King. Emelius uses his magic tricks to retrieve the medallion.

Once home, the children see the enemy soldier’s approach. In the museum, Eglantine casts the spell onto the armour and weapons which fight off the enemy.

Diane Pilkington was superbly cast as Eglantine Price with a powerful and moving performance and perfectly complemented by Charles Brunton as Emelius Browne, although the children were fabulous, being on stage for the duration of the show. Charlie played by Conor O’Hara in his first professional role was relatable in his emotions. Carrie (Izabella Bucknell) and Paul (Aidan Oti) were excellent in their delivery.

The puppetry and special effects took the show to another level. King Leonidas the lion, Sherman the bear, Norton the fish and Angela the bird were all puppets as was the white rabbit. Eglantine’s spell of turning people into a white rabbit happens cleverly in front of our eyes but it was the broomstick, armour and weapons that seem to defy gravity!

The costumes varied from the slightly drab wartime attire to the glitzy sequined affair in the lagoon. The use of windows and doors are ingeniously used to change location within the show

The Sherman Brothers original songs are included in the show along with some new songs by Neil Bartram. My favourite parts of the show are a close contest between Portobello Road with the sellers pedalling their wares in the market and the colourful song and dancing of the Briny Ballroom.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks has some cleverly woven messages of believing, hope and that everyone playing a small part can add up to something big.

Rating: 5/5

Bedknobs and Broomsticks , Festival Theatre, Edinburgh from 16-20 February 2022

Tickets cost from £26.50

for more information or to book tickets visit https://www.capitaltheatres.com/whats-on/bedknobs-and-broomsticks or call the box office on 01315296000