Review: Dreamgirls, The Bridewell Theatre

Dreamgirls is the iconic 1981 musical telling the story of the rise and fall of an African American singing trio in the times of Motown, soul, R&B, and pop. It’s a story of power, resilience, ambition, and music that has seen success on the stage and in cinema. This current production at the Bridewell Theatre by amateur theatre company Sedos brings the show to life with booming vocals and stunning visuals. 

Director David Gregory wants this version to be “one of the most intimate and up close productions” of the show, which is already a close look at the backstage life of its characters. This emphasis on these aspects of the show, and of a life in the arts, is a particularly resonant take for every person involved in a creative career. It suits both the material at hand and Sedos as a company. It does not revolutionise the show, but it emphasises some of its most beautiful and meaningful moments.

Dreamgirls has some of the hardest songs to perform, and this cast delivers all of them wonderfully. The whole cast and the band bring the score to life, fully embodying the Motown sound this musical is known for (and largely nailing the American accent as well). The acting is mostly on par with the singing, relaying the complex dynamics in the group and showbiz. Three actors stand out as the biggest stars of the show. Tashan Nicholas is a powerhouse on stage as Jimmy Early, nailing both the character’s electrifying beginning and his desperate end. Jasmine Sakpoba carefully progresses the character of Deena Jones from naive girl to star, showing her growth in confidence by gradually changing her posture and tone, and by becoming more assured in her wonderful vocals. Lashayah Alize Byfield as Effie White is the heart of the show. She uses her powerful vocals to embody the temperament and the resilience of the character, and gives a heartfelt and heartbreaking rendition of ‘And I Am Telling You’ that perfectly closes Act 1. 

The visuals of this production are delightful on every level. The stage is completely open, mostly bare, with props always remaining visible on the periphery. The choreography is upbeat and fun, matching the songs perfectly, whilst the blocking puts both the events on and off stage parallel to each other, occasionally rotating around the space and balancing both in an impeccable manner. Costumes, hair, and makeup, which are amongst the visible props constantly on stage, are beautiful and fit the period (especially the women’s wigs). The staging is the physical manifestation of efforts to blur the line between what happens on and off the stage, which is a key aspect of Dreamgirls and the main way in which this production emphasises intimacy.

The performance I attended was not without issues, as it started later than advertised and the intermission was longer than standard. It also saw the microphones turned off during key moments, meaning that some verses were basically inaudible (‘It’s All Over’ being the most affected song). While certainly disappointing, these day-one mishaps will hopefully be fixed throughout the run of the show. Sedos’ Dreamgirls is a powerful rendition of the musical that nails the themes, aesthetics, and performances. It provides an extremely intimate experience that will resonate with people in creative careers and lifestyles, fulfilling the director’s purpose.

Book and Lyrics: Tom Eyen
Music: Henry Krieger
Director: David Gregory 
Musical Director: Isaac Bartels 
Assistant Director: Rinre Olusola 
Choreographer: Taylor Bradshaw 
Producer: Folu Oyewole
Costume Designer: Shannon M. Maddox
Set Designers: George Langdown & Andrew Laidlaw
Lighting Designer: Ben Sassoon 
Sound Designer:  Pranav Mahesh 
Committee Liaison: George Langdown 
Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd.

Dreamgirls plays at The Bridewell Theatre until Saturday 29 November.