Theatre review - Carousel

1:03pm Tuesday 7th October 2008

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Geoff Billingsley gives his verdict on Carousel at The Churchill, Bromley

Lesley Garrett's stunning soprano voice is showcased to wonderful effect as Nettie Fowle in Carousel. As fine as Sheffield's favourite daughter is, she still isn't the star of Rodgers & Hammerstein's classic love story, with the best of their scores, set around an amusement park with a carousel as its centrepiece.

Sweet Julie Jordan (Alexandra Silber) falls for fairground barker Billy Bigelow (an excellent performance from Jeremiah James). Unsure of his feelings for JJ this prompts both to warble If I Loved You. And if that doesn't impress, surely the beautiful You'll Never Walk Alone will have you sniffling. Julie and Billy make a lovely couple, but they're not the stars of this show either.

Billy meets a sad end but gets the chance to go back - just for one day - to correct anything he may wish to. The most moving scene of all sees his now 15-year-old daughter Louise - Lindsey Wise - dancing on the beach. Coupled with special effects so wonderful you can almost feel the sea breeze on your face.

When Enoch Snow and by now Mrs Carrie Snow parade their offspring, the audience are captivated. We have Debbie Fyffe Theatre School to thank for the Snow children and - without opportunity for a full dress rehearsal before opening night - they were the real stars.

Destined for the Savoy Theatre in the Strand, this Carousel will keep turning and turning. Hop on if you can.