On 3rd January, 2024, I went to see the musical stage adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic children's novel, The Witches, at the National Theatre in London.
At this performance, the role of the young, orphaned hero, Luke, was shared between Frankie Keita and Bertie Caplan, who stepped into the role for Act Two. Luke's eccentric Norwegian Gran, was played by Danielle Coombe, who possessed a very mellifluous singing voice . Katherine Kingsley, was suitably menacing as the powerful and much-worshipped, Grand High Witch, and Daniel Rugby, was a real hit, as Mr Stringer, the manager of the Hotel Magnificent in Bournemouth, who was in complete denial that any mice existed in his hotel. The action mainly took place in the hotel, where Luke, and his Gran were staying, and where the Witches were holding their Annual Conference.
The cast also included former Pop Idol, turned West End stage star, Zoe Birkett, who I had seen recently in the Great British Bake Off musical in London, as Pippa, one of the Grand High Witch's dedicated and loyal army of followers, who were all keen to help her carry out her cunning plan to eliminate every single child, by transforming them into mice, which, in turn, could then be squished.
Her plan is for her army of very normal looking followers, to open sweet shops, up and down the country, and sell children sweets, which contain a mouse-making potion, called Formula 86. Luckily, her plot is foiled by Luke, now in mouse form, and his Gran, and the plan completely, and, quite spectacularly, backfires, with the hotel suddenly being overrun with mice - but not the type of mice, which the Grand High Witch had intended.
My favourite musical numbers were Ready to Go, performed by Luke; Heartbeat, a duet performed by Luke, and his Gran; and Bruno, Sweet Bruno, performed by Luke's sugar hungry, new friend, Bruno (played by Cian Eagle-Service), and the Company - which was a really fun number, featuring a glamorous and energetic tap dance routine, performed by dancing sweets and cupcakes.
There were a number of 21st Century references, to help make the story, which was first released by Dahl in 1983, feel a little more current.
The production was a great deal of fun, and was very enjoyable. It was very well received by an enthusiastic audience, who cheered appreciateively during the curtain call, and gave the cast a well deserved round of applause.
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