Over The Rainbow: The Eva Cassidy Story – Forum Theatre, Billingham
Writer: Brian Langtry
Director: Stephen Leatherland
Reviewer: Ian Cain
The Public Reviews Rating: 
The very fact that, in these harsh economic climates, a theatre show can run for seven consecutive tours and still keep the punters coming back for more is a ringing endorsement in itself. But that’s exactly what ‘Over The Rainbow: The Eva Cassidy Story’ does. This compelling musical bio-play continues to receive rapturous receptions, standing ovations and cathartic outpourings of emotion at each and every venue. So, what is the secret of its success?
Well, firstly, it chronicles the life of a legend – Eva Cassidy. Secondly, it is performed by a stellar cast comprising of multi-talented actor-musicians from the worlds of stage and screen. And, thirdly, it has a fabulous soundtrack which is second to none.
Journeying the life of Eva Cassidy from her time as a thoughtful, sensitive and nature-loving child, who was raised in a musical family, to her awkward years as a bullied and ridiculed teenager, to her studio work with mentor and the love of her life, Chris Biondo, to her tragically premature death, aged only 33, from melanoma skin cancer, this poignant and deeply moving story is an honest and heartfelt tribute to the life and talents of a true artist in every sense of the word.
Surely, then, a role as significant as this demands a leading lady of exceptional quality? You bet! And Sarah Jane Buckley gives a tour-de-force performance that is nothing short of phenomenal. Miss Buckley – who is perhaps better-known to the television-viewing public as crazy Kathy Barnes from ‘Hollyoaks’ – has obviously spent a considerable amount of time preparing and researching the role, as every mannerism and nuance is amazingly accurate. I am ashamed to admit that I was genuinely surprised by the clarity, purity and power of her beautiful singing voice. However, a quick glance at the biography in the programme reinforced this lady’s musical credentials, as she has performed in numerous smash-hit musicals and was, at one time, one half of a cabaret duo entitled ‘The Polka Dots’.
Whether it was displaying a childhood innocence in ‘Who Knows Where The Time Goes?’, the mellow and haunting perfection of ‘Songbird’, or belting out ‘Fields of Gold’ with a beguiling blend of power and tenderness, Miss Buckley nails every song with expert precision. And I’m certain that if Eva Cassidy was watching from Heaven she would have given Sarah Jane an emphatic thumbs-up for her stunning, soaring rendition of ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’.
Maureen Nolan co-stars as Barbara Cassidy, Eva’s mother, and presents the audience with a wonderful warm-hearted, loving matriarch. Since leaving The Nolan’s and carving out a successful solo career, Maureen has quickly established herself as one of musical theatre’s most sought-after actresses. Her incredibly heart-wrenching performance of ‘I Know You By Heart’ brought a lump to my throat and left the audience dabbing moist eyes. ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ sensation, Brian Fortuna brings a mischievous boyish charm and an endearing vulnerability to the role of Danny Cassidy, Eva’s younger brother. Making his acting debut, Brian has a fantastic stage presence and shows great promise for future stage roles. West End actor Robert Grose strikes the perfect balance in his performance of larger-than-life music mogul Chuck Brown and never once does he over-egg the pudding. James Gorton (Hugh Cassidy, Eva’s overbearing father), Alexis Strum (Margaret, Eva’s sister), Jonathan Parker (Chris Biondo, Eva’s producer and partner), Nick Sayce (Ned) and Alex Wadham all perform supporting roles with professionalism and panache.
This exceptional production, which tells the story of a truly talented woman who was riddled with self-doubt and never thought she ‘measured-up’ is a shining example of everything good theatre should be. The storyline is that much more poignant because it is based upon reality, each and every song is a gem in its own right, the acting and singing is top-notch and the writing and direction are totally compatible in every way. By turn, this show is sad, funny, uplifting and absorbing. I urge you to go – armed with a plentiful supply of tissues, of course. You’ll need them!
Runs until 10th September then touring nationwide.
Tags: Alex Wadham, Alexis Strum, Billingham, Brian Fortuna, Brian Langtry, Eva Cassidy, Forum Theatre, Hollyoaks, Ian Cain, James Gorton, Jonathan Parker, Martin Hughes, Maureen Nolan, Nick Sayce, Over The Rainbow: The Eva Cassidy Story, Robert Grose, Sarah Jane Buckley, Stephen Leatherland, The Polka Dots.
