Review: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN - Memorial Court Northwich (21/10/26)
Confident cruising from Cheshire outfit in spite of some turbulence
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This perhaps lesser-appreciated exponent of Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman and Terrence McNally may have completely eluded the west end stage since its first premiere on broadway 15 years ago, but that certainly hasn’t stopped community coming to the rescue and filling in the theatrical wish-list omissions UK audiences have experienced since. As we approach the film’s 25th anniversary, itself based on the autobiography of the same name by the real Frank Abagnale Jr, Cheshire-based Musical Theatre Company are one of the first theatrical organisations to have brought this true story to life in the UK.
For those who may be unfamiliar with the story of Mr Abagnale, this prodigious high school kid turned conman takes joy in being everyone but himself, going from impersonating a teacher to a pilot, and a supervising physician in a hospital, using his natural charm, articulacy, and powers of persuasion to slip unnoticed from persona to persona, making use of a plethora of aliases in the process. Pursuing him every step of the way is the tenacious FBI operative Carl Hanratty, a lifelong stickler for the rules, who embarks on a global game of cat and mouse with young Abagnale, coming to a head after Frank falls for inexperienced nurse Brenda Strong, ultimately proving to be his undoing.
Visually there is plenty to love about director Ben Ireson's vision for this production, from the expansive, detail oriented nature of the set design, which included a walkway around the front section of the audience, to some thoroughly impressive video elements, and having the orchestra on display throughout is delightful, and really highlights Abagnale's sense of personal grandeur. Choreography by Ceris Shadwell feels slick but accessible, and is executed marvellously by all involved, whilst the full jazz orchestra, directed by Michael Scott, are tight and energetic, bringing Shaiman and Wittman's score to life with effervescent vivacity.
Originally portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio on the silver screen, and then by Tony winner Aaron Tveit on broadway, TMTC have their own star leading the line as Frank Abagnale Jr in the form of the endlessly charismatic Oliver Hale, whose effortless swagger and soaring tenor vocals would easily be the envy of professionals out there treading the boards. Gareth Earl tears up that stage opposite Hale as the ruthless, single-minded Hanratty, as the pair take us on a marvellously engaging race across the world, with superb on-stage chemistry between them to boot.
Equal plaudits should be afforded to Clare Shutt as Frank's French mother Paula, who gives a portrayal of stateliness yet wonderful heart, especially in "Don't Be A Stranger" during which. she displays her glorious, full voice in all its glory, and Heather Baker arguably giving the most deliciously droll showing of the day as Brenda's mother Carol, in a performance that would not look out of place on the west end stage. The real show stopping moment of the evening though came from Isabella Harrison as Brenda, providing wonderful emotional gumption and solemnity to the show's eleven o'clock number "Fly, Fly Away", with even this stony critic shedding a tear or two.
What is always wonderful about community theatre is the amount of unbridled commitment and enjoyment that each and every performer exudes, they aren’t doing this for a paycheque, rather because they have an immense passion for the theatre and performing to an audience. The occasional flat note, fluffed line of dialogue, misstepped choreography, or moment of broken flow don’t matter one jot, because the conviction with which this company have told the story is truly excellent, and represent why we all love the theatre so much, because it is there for all to enjoy, be it actively and passively.
★★★★☆ (4*)
"Catch Me If You Can" runs at Memorial Court Theatre (Brio Entertainment) in Northwich until the 24th of October (tickets)
{PR/invite}
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