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 Arriving at Milton Keynes Theatre last night I was looking forward to seeing Bill Kenwright’s production of Whistle Down the Wind. Since way back when, I have been a keen fan of most of Jim Steinman’s work and given that the show proudly boasted in its billing “Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lyrics by Jim Steinman”, I was reminded of the famous album cover for Bat Out of Hell by Meatloaf, which in 1977 had proudly included like a stamp of authority a similar line that simply stated “songs by Jim Steinman”. Whether Whistle Down the Wind would capture my imagination in the same way that album did so many years ago remained to be seen.
The simple truth is it didn’t !
Overall this was a poor showing. Other than the clear vocal talents of Carly Bawden who played Swallow and the odd opportunity Jonathan Ansell (X Factor’s G4) had to demonstrate his singing ability there wasn’t much to write home about here. The children, including pupils from the Myra Tiffin Performing Arts School based in Stony Stratford, attracted pleasing attention for their performances whenever they appeared. But then they had very little to compete with.
The production struggled to portray a potentially sinister story that aims to explore the gulf that exists between a world viewed by adults and the different world that is seen by children. An escaped murderer is found hiding in a family barn by the children (Swallow, Brat & Poor Baby), who mistakenly believe him to be the second coming of Jesus Christ. What follows is a rather disjointed mish mash of style and tempo that never really catches the audience.
No Matter What, the show hit that went on to become a number one selling single for Boy Zone, is reprised too often and to be honest becomes painfully boring. And don’t get me going with regards the cringe worthy attempts by many members of the cast to pass off a Texan dialect as they sought to deliver.
I have to say I was bitterly disappointed by Bill Kenwright’s production of Whistle Down the Wind, which I so wanted to blow me away, but in the end was little more than an annoying draft.
Rick Strong
Whistle Down The Wind is at Milton Keynes Theatre Until Saturday 1st May 2010 Click Here for More Information or to Book Tickets
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Natalie I know the production was set in Louisiana, but it sounded Texan from my seat. Given the two are neighbouring US states perhaps it's just another indication of the performance just missing the mark.