REVIEW: Dreamgirls – Broadway show glitters in Birmingham

The classic R&B and disco flavoured Broadway show Dreamgirls is heating up audiences at The Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham.

The award-winning show is running throughout the festive season until New Year’s Eve.

Dreamgirls premiered on Broadway way back in December 1981 and a Hollywood film adaptation – which garnered 8 Oscar nominations – was produced in 2006 which starred Beyoncé Knowles, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy and Danny Glover.

Dreamgirls has been performed all over the world including London’s West End and is now dazzling audiences in Birmingham.

The book by playwright Tom Eyen is functional rather than emotionally engaging. However, the routine tale is lifted up somewhat by Henry Kreiger’s melodies which weld together elements from gospel, R&B and even disco.

Under the hand of another more funk orientated composer the music could have been really passionate, searing and in tune with the tunes of Motown’s golden era.

The fictional story – inspired by Motown and The Supremes – tells of three gifted African-American performers trying to find make their dreams come true in Chicago during the socially and politically turbulent era of the 1960’s and into the 1970’s.

Effie, Deena and Lorrell battle hardship, heartache, betrayal and their friendship is tested as their journey towards fame and stardom threatens to ruin their love and trust.

The performances by the three leading ladies light up the stage with glitz and glamour.

Nicole Raquel Dennis as Effie is electrifying, Natalie Kassanga as Deena sizzles across the stage like a firebird and Paige Peddie as Lorrell is absolutely volcanic in her searing performance.

The show balances the gritty edges with moments of frothy comedy in the form of Brendan Lee Sears who takes on the bright and zany role of Jimmy.

The choreography, by the director of the show Casey Nicholaw, is so slick and sharp that members of the audience – regardless of age – were up on their feet and swaying to the routines being performed on the stage.

Tim Hatley’s set design mirrors the energy of the music and dancing and somehow manages to shift scenes seamlessly from one moment to the next without causing any interference to the performances.

The costumes in this show have to be seen to be believed. Hatley must have raided a sequin warehouse because the stage was awash with starlight gleaming off the dazzling outfits worn by the cast.

This is the rare kind of show that had the audience up on their feet, swinging and clapping, and roaring with joy and elation long before the curtain falls.

As the winter blues wrap up our world in subzero temperatures, Dreamgirls will whisk you away to a world of glitter and dancing delight.

VERDICT: ★ ★ ★ ☆☆

Dreamgirls is now running at The Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham until Saturday 31 December