Arts > Theatre

The Witches Of Eastwick

Norwich Theatre Royal

02/02/17

The Witches of Eastwick, the film version back in 1987, starred some pretty big names (Jack Nicholson and Cher should be in more movies together), some pretty raunchy scenes and some questionable special effects. Naively I assumed the musical would follow the film exactly, just with some songs thrown in – it seems I had learned nothing from my brother’s experience at The Bodyguard musical. For those who don’t know, the film follows three female friends, all equally disheartened by their romantic prospects in the sleepy town of Eastwick. They make a wish for the perfect man and, seemingly, one arrives. Sex, magic, small-town gossip and a memorable vomit-scene ensues.  

The Witches of Eastwick, the musical, was a camper, altogether more shiny version, complete with tea dresses and dance numbers. There was still a fair amount of raunch (and an audible intake of breath from the predominantly silver-haired audience when the F word was used), as well as lots of boob-grabbing and feather boas.

The Norfolk and Norwich Operatic Society did a commendable job, especially as they are an amateur company. There were a few hiccups with lighting and prop changes but nothing that doesn’t normally happen on opening night. The cast’s voices were impressive, with the three lead females (Chandler, White and Ferguson) playing their roles with equal charm and feistiness. It would have been nice to see Terry Boast really make the role of Darryl van Horne his own, but he did have the unenviable task of taking on a role made famous by Jack Nicholson. There were also a number of occasions where he had his back to the audience, cutting his connection and influence as the charming, seductive van Horne which was a shame.

The show overall lacked a little pace, it needed to have more ‘umph’ (for want of a better word) and for me the two lead characters I enjoyed watching most were the two with the fewest lines. Alisha Hart as Little Girl (acting as a link between scenes) and Joshua Gould as Fidel, an unflappable mute butler who stole the show when on stage. I’ve never laughed so much at someone who just ate a banana.