It's a Wonderful Life the musical

By Jeff Allum
Resident of Suffolk

Mary and George face an uncertain future due to a financial mishap

It's a Wonderful Life is often called a timeless classic and will almost certainly be found towards the top of 'all time greatest film' lists.

But will it work as a musical? That's the question being asked at the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich, as the production makes its world premiere.

The first thing I noticed was the minimalist set, with little present but a sign for the fictional Bedford Falls.

But my concerns about the musical format were largely removed.

However the storyline doesn't demand elaborate decor - a complete contrast to the New Wolsey's suitably over-the-top Little Shop of Horrors production a year ago.

Having seen the Frank Capra film, I was interested to see how the story would translate to a fully musical format, a very bold move.

Uncle Billy rues his costly mistake which jeopardises George's future

For audience members unfamiliar with the plot, it was important to understand the sacrifices that honest lead character George Bailey had made during his life, to make him consider suicide following a financial error on the part of his Uncle Billy.

Bailey was played by Paul Thornley, recognisable to me as likeable travel agency manager Jeff from ITV's Life Begins, who showed great talent in portraying the wide range of emotions encountered by Bailey as we revisited his early life and how things would have been had he not existed.

Good support was given by Jo Servi as angel Ace - the Clarence Oddbody character in the movie - whose musical numbers included many of the best and wittiest lines.

In my view the best performance came from Paul Leonard, in the role of Scrooge-esque bad guy Mr Potter.

Though his role confined him to a seating position, Leonard's vocal performances and facial expressions were very strong.

Highlights were the emotional departure of Bailey for his new life away from his father's firm, and the duet between the loving father (played by veteran actor Michael Fenton Stevens) and son illustrated one of the many difficult decisions George encountered.

Will it be a happy ending for George and family?

My concerns that the musical format would not suit the story were largely removed. There were small parts of the original story sacrificed but these did not hinder the understanding or enjoyment.

Whilst the musical numbers are not as strong as those in the likes of Guys & Dolls or the aforementioned Little Shop, there is a range of compositions from slow downbeat duets to upbeat 1930s college leavers ball scenes that provide something for everyone.

A classic story enjoyably told and, as with the opening night, a standing ovation from many of the audience.

It's a Wonderful Life is at the New Wolsey Theatre 10 September-3 October 2009. Visit the New Wolsey website for more details.

This review was a voluntary contribution to BBC Suffolk by a website-user.