Oklahoma! at the Festiaval Theatre Edinburgh Review
Oklahoma!
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
21-25 April 2015
Reviewed by Jean McMahon
Don’t you wish it could go on forever, and never stop. Lines from the musical Oklahoma , which we went to see last night, 21st April. As a lover of musicals, I was delighted to be chosen for this review. I took my mother, who shared her love of musicals with me.
The venue for last night review was the wonderful Festival Theatre in Edinburgh. Welcomed by the wonderful staff, we were delighted to find our seats were only five rows from the front. The curtain went up to cowboys coming on to the stage and pulling at random bits of wood on the walls, that pulled out to make the cabin of Aunt Eller, and her niece Laurey. The sun rising into oh what a beautiful morning, and we were transported to Oklahoma in the 1900’s.
The scenery and the props were amazing. Wood getting manoeuvred in and out to make all the different scenes was just magic. I have never seen anything as original, and utterly had me believing we were in Oklahoma.
Roger and Hammerstein, would be very proud men, if they could hear their show tunes being belted out by the cast. A joy to listen to (and sing along to).
The plot of boy loves girl, who tries to make him jealous by letting him know that he is not the only man in her life, is not a new one.
Curly (played by the very talented all-rounder) Ashley Day, was very convincing as the cute cowboy trying to win the heart of his love Laurey. This guy has it all, very easy on the eye, a voice you could listen to all night and watching him dance, you know he is ballet trained.
Aunt Eller is brought to life by the wonderful Belinda Lang. Her facial expressions were just amazing. It’s hard to believe that under the stage makeup is the beautiful lady we are used to watching on television. Very talented and very funny, a great choice for the role.
Charlotte Wakefield had me captivated with her beautiful voice the minute she walked out on stage. A stunning looking girl, with the mischievous glint in her eye, needed for the role of the headstrong Laurey. To make Curly jealous Laurey says she is going to the box social with farmhand Jud Fry. A very large, frightening , menacing, hulk of a man, Nic Greenshields made this man as scary to me as Rod Steiger did in the original film. Genius casting, in the programme he looks just a normal guy. He had me convinced from the moment he walked on stage.
Ado Annie, a fun part, a lady who is easily led astray, had two suitors, Will Parker and the Persian Pedler, Ali Hakim. The story of this love triangle running through the plot is very well done and extremely funny. Lucy May Barker and James O’Connell played their parts so well and me laughing out loud. I have a very soft spot for the wonderful Gary Wilmot who really brought Ali Hakim the Persian Pedler, and roaming Romeo to life. Fantastic.
The cast were amazing and had us enjoying the night from the moment they appeared on stage. This musical is a treat for both eyes and ears. A great job, well done by all concerned.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £16.50 to £42.50 (booking fees may apply).
Oklahoma! is at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh until 25 April 2015. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0131 529 6000.
Festival Theatre, 13/29 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9FT | 0131 529 6000
