How Can I Be Sure?
Son of a Preacher Man
Sunderland Empire
Tuesday 19th -
Saturday 23rd September 2017
Diana
Vickers has the opportunity to shine in Son Of A Preacher Man. Her ability to
sing the Dusty Springfield back catalogue was a real highlight of the evening.
Son
of a Preacher Man is a juke-box musical which is aligned to the Queen/We Will
Rock You experience. A selection of fabulous well known songs are performed
with a wafer thin book by Warner Brown trying to set up the opportunity for the
next song. Fans of the music will have a nice evening at the theatre. Indeed
the Sunderland Empire had a big crowd for opening night - and that’s not always
the case with a new musical. Dusty’s magic still shines in this part of the
world and the cast received enthusiastic applause at the end.
The
story surrounds a successful London record shop called ‘The
Preacher Man’ which was the place to go in the 60s. You could listen to records
in booths - even buy a coffee which hits by the likes of Dusty are played. Paul
(Michael Howe) used to go regularly until he moved away. Alison (Debra
Stephenson) used to be told by her mother about going to this shop. They both
decide to try to find the shop. They are joined by Kat (Diana Vickers) who was
also told about the place by her recently deceased gran.
The
find the venue is still there but the owner that was also known as the Preacher
Man has now died. The shop has now a coffee bar managed by his son, Simon (Ian
Reddington) - yes, you guessed it, the son of the preacher man. He has 3 members
of staff he calls the Cappuccino Sisters. The three visitors then describe their need
to find love again and they ask the son of the preacher man to help them.
This
is a chance to play songs like Anyone Who
Had A Heart, You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me and I Only Want To Be With You. The musicians, under musical director
Brady Mould, are mainly on stage during the songs. The cast do a great job
singing them and this is a real strength of the show.
The
pace of the show exposes the lack of much of a story. Normally the direction of
a musical is laid out within 20 minutes. This show was still highlighting the
“I want” songs 35 minutes in - over half way into the first act. The exposition
nearly kills off interest but the show is saved by the music and an improved
second act.
Diana
Vickers has become a reliable musical actor. Debra Stephenson and Ian
Reddington portrayed their characters as very personable types that one could
relate to. Michael Howe could sing, but was a little wooden at delivering his lines.
Dusty
Springfield’s music has stood the
test of time. The haunting lyrics on the subject of love are as relevant today
as they ever were and it is delightful to hear them again. It is easy to see
how Dusty has influenced many singers over the years. An evening listening to
great songs like Son Of A Preacher Man makes for a pleasant evening.
Review
by Stephen
Oliver.
Tickets:
Tickets available from the Box Office on High Street West, via the ticket centre 0844 871 3022* or www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland *calls cost
up to 7p per minute plus standard network charges. Booking and transaction fees
may apply to telephone and online bookings.
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