Malory Towers

Bringing the show to life is an exceptionally talented cast of eight performers whose fantastic chemistry with one another helps to elevate this to more than just a straightforward adaptation. Leading the group is Robyn Sinclair as Darrell Rivers, who serves as the audience surrogate as we explore the story. Alicia and Sally, played by Molly Cheesley and Bethany Wooding respectively, provide a strong backbone to the cast, with Cheesley delivering some terrifically silly jokes and Wooding acting as the moral compass of the group in a performance that balances firm and fair nicely. The latecomer to the group, the previously discussed Bill, is portrayed by Zoe West in a suave performance that still has a degree of dorkiness that keeps them endearing, particularly in their connection to their horse Thunder.

Acting as the catalyst for much of the story are Anna Soden's Gwendoline Lacey and Eden Barrie's Mary-Lou Atkinson. As Mary-Lou, Barrie delivers a sweet but naive performance that really encapsulates the character's initial feebleness, succeeding in garnering the required sympathy without ever letting her become too much of a doormat. But it is perhaps Anna Soden who is the standout amongst a very talented cast. Her turn as Gwen is as cruel as it is funny and as catty as it is touching. Soden's humorous desperate plea not to be sent to school fools any unfamiliar audience members into thinking she is simply the spoilt rich kid getting a culture shock, but soon enough we see her true colours in a shift that Soden portrays excellently. Anyone familiar with the books will know what Gwendoline is capable of, and the malice and intelligence with which Soden portrays her is excellent in making her despicable. It is perhaps in the second act where she gets the biggest chance to shine. Her solo number Daddy's Little Girl showcases not just her singing talent but her comedic ability as a performer, as she prances about the stage in her own Titania costume. As she progresses and unravels though, the emotional climax of the show explodes, with Soden delivering a fantastic performance of a tragically desperate girl and the emotional toll she has been under unbeknownst to the other characters. The subtle expressions in her performance are what take her from comedic villain to a deeply interesting character.

Further elevating the already high talent of the cast is that they also take on musical responsibilities, with various members of the company picking up instruments during the songs. The majority of this was achieved by Stephanie Hockley, who in addition to portraying the distant-minded Irene Dupont also served as Musical Director for the production. While her talent is undeniable as a musician, her performance also leads to some wonderfully funny moments, such as Irene being unable to help her friends as she was playing ze piano. Hockley's piano ability was effortless and she was supported by Zoe West, Eden Barrie and Emily Panes, who also serves as the production's understudy. With a combination of classic wartime songs, traditional numbers and original compositions by Ian Ross, the production feels varied in its musicality, resulting in an incredibly pleasant collection of numbers executed brilliantly with tight harmonies as well as several great solo performances.

Enid Blyton's work is undeniably legendary and her catalogue of work is compelling. While Malory Towers has its fans and a deserved reputation, it has always sat just below behemoths such as Noddy and the Famous Five, which after seeing this musical adaptation seems unfair. This production is about more than girl power. It is a story about friendship, coming of age and about purpose in both our own lives and those of others. The biggest compliment I can give this musical is how accessible it is. Seeing a professional production with a talented cast is a night worth going out for, but equally this could be a show performed by schools throughout the country. Malory Towers may be a traditional story about a school for girls, but this delightful reinvention is for people of all ages and is a surprising gem worth catching if you can.