Bedknobs and Broomsticks - U.K. & Ireland Tour

Wicked could change that one scene to have her flying out over the audience and people would repeat visit in droves. I know some purists would complain about the show being changed but that effect is absolutely pants and deserves to be updated.

They did experiment with it in try outs if I remember rightly, but Stephanie Block hurt herself and they struggled with it so did what they did. I’m sure when the Curve get their hands on it in 2028 she’ll be all over the place shooting fireballs.

🙄 honestly these Divas and their safety fears. Just climb on the broom and sing dear. 

I saw it tonight and to be honest it went on a bit too long, to the point that quite a few people left after the under the sea scene. Start time was 7.30 pm and it finished at 10.10 which is longer than a lot of adult shows I’ve seen. The special effects were clever and at the rear of the circle looked flawless. If my grandchildren hasn’t been on holiday, I would probably have taken them, but at 5 and 6, there would have been a lot of wriggling I think.

Payed a visit to the Lyceum tonight (my local theatre). Was sat in stalls row N. My second visit to the Lyceum in the past month where they’ve not been selling programmes, which I find slightly frustrating. Not many in masks, despite the ushers threatening a refusal of service at the bar without a mask.
The show was enjoyable on a whole. I wouldn’t say there was a particularly memorable song however the cast were brilliant all round. The broom moment was mind-blowing, as was the bed (the first and second time round, but after that it became a little ‘samey’). Lupton was brilliant and I wouldn’t have known it was his debut (thank you to the previous poster). My first time seeing Diane and she was absolutely brilliant, she was so believable and powerful tonight. It’s definitely a show I’d recommend watching, but not one I’d return to time and time again.

I don't know who played the youngsters Carrie and Paul tonight at the Alex in Birmingham, but what exceptional talents.

And such calm professionalism coping with an early difficulty: during the prologue transition from London bedroom to the South coast, the evacuees are handed pre-laced shoes to slip into. Carrie and Paul each struggled to fit a heel into one of their shoes. I found myself panicking vicariously, fearing their loose shoes would go flying off. Despite knowing they have no upcoming stage exit, both young actors, with considerable presence of mind, displayed no such anxiety or distraction, with Carrie fixing her footwear after a couple of minutes and Paul after about five.

It is 50 years since I saw the film of Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and I can honestly say I remember nothing of it. So, tonight's show was like a first-time experience. Boy is the book bonkers! (It reminded me of Salad Days in that regard.) I am assuming copious quantities of hallucinogens were required to create this story. Luckily, I love bonkers, so found myself having a ball, both the metaphorical one and the Beautiful Briny kind that opens the second act.

The puppetry from the ensemble cast is delightful, and the stage magic is class-leading. The broomstick-through-the-window effect is very cleverly worked. Even better is the bed-through-the-arched-wall illusion where the far side of the wall is shown to be solid and without break whenever it is in view .

The choreography required by the cast and unseen crane technicians must be quite something. They made a substantial challenge look so easy. Crucial here too is the work of the lighting wizards: even from my front row seat, they ensured that what was meant to be hidden on stage, stayed hidden. And how refreshing to see that all flying was achieved freely, without any awkward attachment of safety harnesses and the like. If there were any, they went unnoticed.

Maybe it was because it was the first night at this venue, but the sound mix was not quite right: the music was far too quiet overall, yet the vocals were quieter still, and often inaudible. However, I very much enjoyed the use of the harp in the score: such a wonderful instrument to hear played live.

Both the set design and costumes are highlights, coming together in peak excellence during the Portobello Road number.

B&B has much to appeal to kids and adults of all ages. A heartily recommended four stars.

Act 1: 19:33-20:39
Act 2: 21:02-22:08

I’d love a cast recording for this, are there plans for one?

View was near perfect from Stalls A21: low stage and not too close. The only downside is that you occasionally have visibility into the wings or of the above-stage lights. You would probably need to be about five rows back to avoid that.

There is ample legroom on the front row, enough for people to walk past without needing to stand up. The conductor might be slightly intrusive in the two central seats as she protrudes about one foot above stage level. Row B should be fine as the people in row A will block her.

Anyone in Birmingham today and wants a deal for the matinee . Code is BROOMTEN and will give you best available seats for £10.00 each

I thank you x

Well that was a waste of time. Tried to book & only allows credit cards despite saying you can book with debit cards. I refuse to use my credit card since they've closed the local branch.