When you know you are going to see a musical that is from the famous Disney catalogue, you automatically think that you are going to be wowed by an amazingly visually expensive production on the scale of the popular shows such as Mary Poppins or the Lion King.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks which is currently playing at the Palace Theatre Manchester until Sunday 24th October 2021, is not quite on the same scale as some of the other Disney productions, but it certainly does not disappoint and deserves it’s place up there with those other brilliant productions.
This Bedknobs and Broomsticks adaptation is based on the 1970 film of the same name which then starred the iconic actress Angela Lansbury as Miss Eglantine Price and the quintessentially British actor David Tomlinson as Professor Emelius Browne, the original music and lyrics were written by the famous Sherman Brothers who also penned the music and lyrics for Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
This production has been adapted for the stage by book writer Brian Hill, who has enjoyed taking the original songs and story and enhancing them to go even further for the stage.
For this adaptation, Neil Bartram is the composer and lyricist who says he has opened up the original songs, expanding them to build on the mission of Miss Price, Emelius and the children. Working with Richard Sherman in Los Angeles, they were able to unearth old musical recordings that were cut from the final film production, and re-introduce them for this stage adaptation.

Having never seen the film version, I went to watch this show with no knowledge of the core story or any expectations to be disappointed by. I was able to immerse myself into the unfolding plot of 3 siblings, Charlie, Carrie and Paul Rawlins who are sadly orphaned during a blitz on London. The scene is set with a fantastic air raid that is beautifully staged and supported by amazing lighting and scene changes. The children are transported from their tiny shared bedroom at home, through the terror of war torn London, the death of their parents and into the system of child evacuation from the city and into the countryside.

Charlie is played by the fantastic newcomer Conor O’Hara, who’s chirpy cockney energy is consistent throughout the whole show. Being the elder brother, he wants to protect his younger siblings Carrie and Paul, but these two children are strong willed and soon have Charlie running around after them, forming a strong bond to take them on their next adventure together.
As a trio, all three children are perfectly portrayed and the young actors worked fantastically together from start to finish, on what is full and demanding show for them all.

After arriving to collect a parcel from the post office, Miss Price, who is played by Dianne Pilkington, reluctantly agrees to take in the three children that have been placed with her as part of the national evacuation effort. From the very start, Pilkington delivers a perfect – no nonsense, charming, mystical and magical and a somewhat mischievous Miss Price.
A wonderful character that is strong on the surface, but with the presence of the children reveals her vulnerable side on occasion.
Miss Prices has a secret, which the children soon discover and from there the action and magical adventures together unfold.

Without giving too much away, this is a spectacular production that brings the magic of Disney alive with trickery and illusion. The producers of this show have been able to use some fantastic staging, lighting, set design, costumes, props and with a stellar cast who orchestrate the ever changing scenes seamlessly, whilst supporting the plot with beautifully arranged song and dance numbers. This cast is put to work on this show with not only performing the song and dances, they intertwine different characters and are also integral in making every scene change and prop move effortlessly.

Charles Brunton brings to life a brilliant Emelius Browne, who’s misguided magic shop business brings him and Miss Price’s lives together through deception, opportunity, desperation and hope. Who knew that a 2nd rate magician/street entertainer would hold the secret to such magnificent splendours? He certainly didn’t, but with the help of Miss Price and the children, they all enable wonderous changes to their world.
Other stand out performances were from Jacqui Du Bois who brought us a wonderful Mrs Holiday, and Susannah Van Den Berg as Mrs Mason.

With a bed that fly’s, a broomstick that has a life of its own, a magician with many a trick up his sleeve and numerous stunningly colourful characters that are brought to life by puppetry and acting skills likened to War Horse and Lion King, this is definitely a story for children of all ages, with deep rooted sentiment and meaning oozing throughout.
There are brilliantly written songs that play on changing words and re-writing meaning to fit the story, Negotiality and Substitutiary Locomotion are just a couple – think Supercalafrajelistic… and you are half way there!
The whole show delivers some perfectly staged performances, but when the whole company present numbers like Portobello Road and Nopeepo Lagoon, you will understand the value of being back in theatre and being entertained.

Whether you are a Disney fan or not, if you can, I would highly recommend going to see this show, just to be transported into a truly colourful and magical world.

Review by Glen Clancy
This production is touring the UK at various ATG Theatres until 24th April 2022, and you can book tickets here: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/bedknobs-and-broomsticks/