Zanna Don't - Old Joint Stock Birmingham

Just bought a ticket SO fast

Never seen the show but I was obsessed with the cast recording as a young teen and I rediscover it every year or so, very infectious!

I'm in! Just bought a ticket. Thanks for posting about it, might have slipped by me.

Meant to give more thoughts on this but forgot... running until this weekend, very highly recommended!

I didn't know anything going into it but the name, general branding and chance to visit a new theatre (to me) was enough.

Big respect to Jack Gittins who stepped into the lead with only a couple of DAYS notice, really impressive and did not miss a beat.

The story is another high school/fitting in/queer/love/teen romp - which I am ALWAYS here for. I can't get enough of it, this in particular would be close to But... I'm a Cheerleader (just not as strong a score).

Direction in this is the absolute high point. Very small space, wide rather than deep, right in front of the audience, no room for changes/switches/reveals without big imagination. It was actually a quite complicated piece of direction and paced perfectly. There's a lot happening and the work put in to 'thinking it out' absolutely paid off.

Likewise, the lighting and stage dressing was excellent. Quite minimal in terms of props/set, but what they have they used smoothly, inventively and nothing felt 'set-up' in a way that delayed the progress of the narrative or detracted from the suspension of disbelief. Not an easy achievement with such a space.

Cast is superbly strong, everyone playing a few parts/variations of parts. Everyone playing them with camp levels turned up to 100, which is what I had hoped for going in.

If you are in the area, it's a great, fun night and a chance to see excellent performers up close and personal. I will try to catch it again before it finishes at the weekend.