Show Boat at The Lowry, Manchester Review
Show Boat
The Lowry, Manchester
8-12 July 2014
Reviewed by Debbie Tasker
Last night I was lucky enough to attend the opening night of Show Boat at The Lowry in Salford, Manchester. From start to finish it was a wow, wow, wow production and we absolutely loved it.
The Broadway musical adapted by Oscar Hammerstein II and Jerome Kern is based on the 1927 novel by American author Edna Ferber and follows lives of the dock workers, musicians, stagehands and Hawks family as they sail through the Deep South along the Mississippi abroad the Cotton Blossom.
Covering four decades of American history (1887-1927) the story tells of enduring love and racial tensions that affect this ‘one big happy family’ as Cap’n Andy calls them.
Cap’n Andy’s daughter, sweet innocent Magnolia, falls in love with gambler Gaylord who later desserts her and their daughter Kim leaving her to fend for herself. Julie a beautiful mixed race girl is her best friend much to the disgust of Magnolias cantankerous mother Parthly. Julie marries Steve who is white but at that time it was a criminal offence so there lives are shattered when they have to leave the Show Boat and this eventually leads to a sad ending for Julie. As the years go by and their lives entwine we are taken on the journey with them.
A truly spectacular cast all give outstanding performances. For me Otto Maidi as Joe singing Ol’ Man River was the highlight of the show it gave me goosebumps and a tear in my eye. There are plenty of other songs in there including Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man, Cotton Blossom and Make Believe. The whole show is full of catchy tunes that had the audience clapping and toe tapping along with them. There is not a dull minute throughout this two and a half hour show and the evening flew by as I was so engrossed in the lives of all the performers.
The sets were out of this world, big bright and beautiful they wouldn’t have looked out of place on Broadway or in the West End. The Cotton Blossom is where most of the action takes place but the sets change to the quayside, and Trocadero – a night club where Magnolia, Julie and the very comical Ellie (Catherine Daymond) end up performing to make a living.
Lighting is excellent and is used to create the mood continuously throughout. Costumes are bright glitzy and true to the era in each scene, I especially liked the Charleston fashion and the dances that came with that time in history.
Show Boat is full of glitz and glamour. The Cape Philharmonic Orchestra and the Cape Town Opera Chorus gave us a night to remember. I can’t recommend highly enough that you go and see for yourself what a spectacular and lavish treat this is! A happy ending is always a good thing and that is what we got. A standing ovation was no more than they deserved.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £29 to £56 (includes £2 booking fee).
Show Boat is at The Lowry until 12 July 2014. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0843 208 6000.
The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, Manchester, M50 3AZ | 0843 208 6000
