Bath's packed Theatre Royal had many baggy trousers swaying in the aisles during Monday’s energetic performance of Madness-inspired musical Our House.
The hit Laurence Olivier Award-winning production documents the ‘what if?’ moments of Joe Casey’s life soundtracked to the back catalogue of the ska band.
The narrative is split in two, showing the right and wrong decisions Joe makes, narrated by his late father.
The huge colourful set of director Peter Rowe’s production just about managed to squeeze into the theatre.
The concept of putting Madness’ hits into a musical might have seemed ridiculous during their 1980s era, but it does work.
The addition of a live band really helps bridge the gap between gig and theatre while the versatile cast deserve great praise as many showed their instrumental skills as well as their vocal range.
Renditions of Simple Equation, My Girl and It Must Be Love hit the right notes although Night Boat to Cairo did feel a little shoehorned in at the start of the second act.
James Haggie and Alex Spinney left many giggling as the dim-witted Emmo and Lewis while Steve Dorset did well to overcome a minor umbrella malfunction during a dance routine towards the end of the performance.
The narrative developed well, striking comparisons with films Sliding Doors and recent release About Time.
Alexis Gerrard, who plays Joe, was accomplished, balancing the consequences of good and evil as the piece’s main protagonist although his London accent did a have a hint of Dick Van Dyke about it.
But he and Daniella Bowen, who played love interest Sarah, struck good chemistry in their quest to save Joe’s home in Casey Street, whose red front door was an integral part of the set.
There was a lovely feelgood factor at the end when One Step Beyond led to a closing medley which had most on their feet singing and dancing.
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