I have been a fan of the film since childhood. Very much a period piece of the 1960s, with a career defining performance by Zero Mostel as Max Bialystock. So inventive, irreverant and outrageously funny. A lot for the stage show to live up to and on-the-whole, it did.
The Radlett Centre has been the home of the Radlett Musical Theatre Company (formerly Radlett Light Opera Society) for many years. It is a relatively small, intimate theatre that hosts a large variety of events throughout the year.
The two key roles in The Producers are Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom, performed by Steve Brown and Chris Andrews, respectively. The leads were excellent, with their extensive musical theatre experience clearly evident. Both performers sang and acted with the ease of seasoned campaigners at the top of their game. They were well supported by Matthew Shaw, Bethan Rufey, Iain Fowles and Ben Marks in the roles of Franz Liebkind, Ulla, Roger de Bris and Carmen Ghia respectively. The large ensemble cast ably and energetically supported the leads throughout. In fact the ensemble was so large they often utilised areas in front of the stage during the ‘Full Company’ numbers. The props and costumes were highly impressive and well utilised.
I attended on the first night and there were a few gremlins with the set and sound, especially in the second Act, but humorously dealt with by the leads. I’m sure these will be ironed out for subsequent performances. Overall an excellent and highly entertaining production, riotously funny in places.
