Follow the Star

Follow the Star – Young Gen at the Cramphorn Theatre

Ray Jeffery’s Follow The Star ends it sell-out run at the Cramphorn tomorrow [Saturday].

An enthusiastic young cast made the most of the big production numbers: every Time You’re Good You Grow A Bit, Clap Your Hands And Be Cheery, and the frenetic Tension, but in the small theatre the more intimate numbers, too, achieved their true significance in this light-hearted look at the Nativity.

Jeremy Cowell made a benevolent old Olly, served by assorted angels, including Paul Dicker as the lovable Gabby, Stephen Emery as Chicago, the hood with the heart of gold, with Emma Watts, Helen Weatherly and Tim Clements as Angy, Jelly and Lofty.

Herod, the demon king, was bloodcurdlingly brought to life by Lee Threadgold; alexiaa Burland and Nick Ross played Mary and Joseph.

The Wise Men were nicely characterised, and beautifully dressed, but almost upstaged by their cuddly camels.

The imaginatively conceived costumes, with lots of changes for everyone, made the angels look like kids from Fame, with leg-warmers, headbands and mittens.

Ray’s star-shaped set was ingenious, with spiral stairs and a slide linking the levels. My only reservation was that the band, excellent musicians, were too prominent visually right behind the acting area.