REVIEW: Dreamgirls at Sunderland Empire ★★★★★

 I've been so lucky to see some really amazing musicals lately and Dreamgirls certainly did not disappoint!

Dreamgirls follows the story of the Dreams - Effie, Lorrell, and Deena - a trio of young singers trying to make their way into the music industry during the 1960s (and everything that came along with it). It was revived in the West End in 2016 (which I was also fortunate enough to see) and I have been waiting SOOOO long to see this show again. There's also a wonderful film featuring Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce, Eddie Murphy, and Jamie Foxx (just to name a few) which I think is very true to the new production of the musical.

I was very lucky to have second row seats (albeit a bit restricted by the slips in Sunderland!) so got to see all the action up close and it was just fantastic. Obviously I have to talk about Nicole Raquel Dennis' 'And I Am Telling You.' She blew off the roof of the Sunderland Empire and received a very well deserved standing ovation mid-show! I had goose bumps everywhere and I couldn't shut my mouth, my jaw was hitting the floor I was so amazed by her performance. She's the most amazing Effie and I'm so glad I got to see her in the show. 

The rest of the cast is also just bang on. For the first half I saw Natalie Kassanga as Deena who's velvety vocals were soft and perfect for the role, replaced later (for the second act) by Holly Liburd who was just as amazing and stepped in at the last minute so hats off to her. Paige Peddie as Lorrell too was a great casting choice - I thought she played the perfect Lorrell, a character who is so strong and funny and lovely. Dom Hartley-Harris was a brilliant Curtis, to the point he got a little boo during the bows, he played such a convincing villain moving from someone you respected to someone you could clearly see had a goal in life and he'd do anything (and hurt anyone) along the way to ensure he got there. Brandon Lee Sears as Jimmy was different to what I was used to, seemed a bit angrier but still had the comedic aspects that you would expect from the role. And Shem Omari James, what a lovely C.C. He had the most beautiful friendly face so when he was angry during 'Steppin' To The Bad Side' it showed a marked shift in the show.

'Steppin' To The Bad Side' was seriously amazing. Every time I've seen it on the stage it's always my favourite, thanks to the brilliant choreography and those wonderful harmonies! I know everyone always looks forward to 'And I Am Telling You' but this is the song I always look forward to the most because you just never get the same effect when you're listening to it on the cast album. Similarly with 'Jimmy's Rap' which has so much audience interaction included and it's genuinely quite funny to watch (as anyone who's seen the show or the film will know).

It's currently touring around the UK so if it's coming to a city near you I couldn't recommend it more! It's such an amazing show with an outstanding cast, amazing staging and costumes, and of course out of this world songs. 

★★★★★

Link to the website: https://www.dreamgirlsthemusical.co.uk/