Rating: ★★★★★
An outstanding piece of musical theatre
Emma Rice has superbly adapted and directed Enid Blyton’s much-loved classic Malory Towers, delivering this wholesome tale to a captivated audience of all ages.
From the opening bar to a surprise performance from the cast during the interval and right through to the final note, this production was not only entertaining, it was outstandingly executed in every aspect of its staging. The entire cast and crew thoroughly deserved the two standing ovations they received. Tremendous!
The score was magnificent and the cast were sublime. Their vocal range and harmonies were en pointe, and their acting skills were so accomplished that you genuinely believed in every character. The introduction of the puppetry was novel and entertaining, supporting the transition of the story to excellent effect. I would imagine many of us will be rooting out Blyton’s books once again, as Emma Rice’s production has truly awakened our love of Blyton’s work.
The all-age audience was enthralled throughout. Given that there were many children in attendance, this is no easy feat, and the fact that they didn’t misbehave or shout out was testament to how engaging this fast-paced story of friendship, belonging and hope proved to be. For the adult audience, this musical was not only nostalgic, it also reminded us that during difficult times (the original novel was written in the aftermath of the Second World War, during a period of uncertainty and rebuilding), loyalty, love, compassion, and the ability to forgive and be forgiven are what humanity needs in order to thrive.
For those who follow my reviews, you will know that I don’t often award five-star ratings. However, I cannot speak highly enough of this production. If you wish to see theatre at its best and be transported to an era of innocence, midnight feasts and boarding-school dormitory conversations, while also exploring deeper themes of PTSD, war, isolation and bullying, then this is a production you should not miss. Take your children, take your friends and take older relatives to see this theatrical masterpiece live on stage.
Malory Towers is on the Liverpool Playhouse stage from Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 June. Tickets are priced from £12–£42 and are available from www.everymanplayhouse.com/event/malory-towers/
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The Broken Spine is a poetry and arts collective proudly published on the coastal edge of North-West England. Founded in 2019 by Alan Parry and Paul Robert Mullen – two school friends reunited after twenty years through a mutual love of poetry.
