ALW’s Whistle Down The Wind - Watermill Newbury

The Guardian seems to give ***** ratings to shows that really don't merit them, written by critics whose lack of theatre knowledge is apparent from the opening sentence.

At the interval of this and wow, I forgot how intense Robert Tripolino’s stage presence is. His big number was just theatrical magic - so good to see him back on a British stage. I suppose I’m a bit of a softie for Lloyd Webber but I got goosebumps hearing this score - the cast are all very talented and the updates Tom Jackson-Greeves have done is very welcome

Saw this at today’s matinee.

I have always at a soft spot for this musical and I also rate the late Jim Steinman highly, as a top draw lyricist.The show has some great songs, one of my favourites and is one of my favourite musical theatre songs period is ‘unsettled score,’ which has been renamed now ‘Soliloquy.’ The final 3 songs are brilliant especially the duo between the man and swallow for ‘nature of the beast.’

I also love how the musical has been moved from Cumbria to Louisiana which is where the American Bible belt is, which is topical at the moments, as that religious movement are violating women’s rights, via the law courts. UK isn’t a real god fearing country it once was thankfully, so doesn’t really resonate here, as it did many years back. I also loved the setting in the Watermill, as it felt like a actual barn, where the man hides out.

What I will never get my head round and that is the actor/musician concept, it doesn’t work for me, seeing someone play a dramatic scene, then go and play the violin or other instruments. although this genre seemed more subtle here than past shows. I understand why the Watermill need to do this type of show, due to venue limitations. A big shout to the children who sung no matter what beautifully and did the same with basic instruments.

I would be surprised if this ended up in the West End again, but could it have life on the road?

4 stars.

For anyone who's seen this, are they fairly good at starting and ending on time?

Also, I saw they seemed to have run out of slots for booking a pre theatre meal. Does anyone know if I'd still be able to grab something to eat without booking?

Any chance this might transfer? It is a Lloyd Webber I need to tick off the list, but the Watermill is just too far for me.

Question please. Last time I went to the Watermill was for Martin Guerre many years back. Are the stalls seats raked? And are the circle slips really as bad as online reviews suggest? Thanks for any replies.

Thanks Singingbird. I've succumbed to WDTW on Saturday - appreciate the reply!

I'm watching Adam Filipe this afternoon. It's the interval, and he is superb as is the whole cast of actors/musicians. This show works so well in such an intimate theatre. Can't wait for the second half.

What a fantastic rebuilt show. Quite atmospheric set in an actual barn, the story unlike the original west end production was quite believable and the actor/ musician elements felt very natural. The kids broadly where great- better that they where natural and a little awkward in places, as this gave the whole piece a sense of vulnerability and caution. Movement, adult leads where all very strong.

There are a few moments that where very moving and some really joyous moments, those rare musicial theatre moments. My Only criticism was ‘Tyre tracks’ it is my least favourite song, I didn’t feel that narrative worked as well, and felt that song belonged in another show. Not a ALW super fan at all, much more Sondheim, but this was a very special show, hope to see it come into london.

Alw shows work best stripped back and bare, so much of his work was over produced in the 90s but then that was the times! I could imagine it reinterpreted slightly for the larger stage and to broadway, seriously it’s that good!

And there are 50 pages of complaints about the stripped back Phantom of the Opera!

I saw this without knowing the story and only knowing 'No Matter What' and 'Whistle Down the Wind', but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I don't know what I thought the story was going to be about, but a man getting mistaken for Jesus was definitely not it. A real shame the Watermill is so hard to get to because I would love to see this production again. Also a bit sad to have missed Robert Tripolino, but Adam Filipe was fantastic. For anyone who has seen this with Robert in it, the program mentions Robert playing the guitar, but Adam didn't. At what point would he have played the guitar before?

Oh forgot to say I think the sound wasn't amazing. I was sat near the sax and really struggled to hear some of the singing at times. Some of the instruments generally were just much much louder than the others and drowned out the others.