Reasons To Be Cheerful – Theatre Royal Stratford East, London
Writer: Paul Sirett
Music: Ian Drury
Director: Jenny Sealey
Reviewer: Elizabeth Vile
The Public Reviews Rating: 
Set in a local pub in 1981 a group of friends are preparing to perform a musical story in tribute to Ian Drury. Using live music, singing, dance, sign language, text and images the actors take the audience through a high energy, passionate story about one group of friend’s journey to see Ian Drury and the Blockheads in concert. Throughout their journey they encounter, love, loss, anger, frustration, laughter and loyalty, but even when things don’t always work out how they want their inextinguishable hope and love of the music keeps them going.
The moment the audience enter the auditorium they are sucked into the action of the piece. The stage is covered in leads, wires and musical instruments and we realise very quickly that we are not expected to be a passive audience. Cast members are running all over the place shouting at each other, passing through the audience looking for missing people or offering us twiglets and checking that we are comfortable. Once the piece begins it rockets along at a lightening pace. The energy that emits from the cast is amazing; how they kept up the pace I have no idea. The enjoyment and camaraderie that flowed from the cast was infectious and the atmosphere in the theatre was one of excitement, the audience were completely engaged with what was happening on stage.
The cast were all stunning, there was not a weak link among them and their energy on stage could rival a full chorus number in a West End musical. Even after two encores they looked like they could have carried on long into the night. I just want to give a special mention to John Kelly on lead vocals, his voice suited the songs perfectly and his style of performance really lifted the audience, and to Stephen Lloyd who captured the innocence, frustration and dreams of Vinnie perfectly. His solo in the second act was sensitively done, moving but also joyful. If I had the space I would mention each cast member individually as they were all stunning and helped to create an exciting but also touching piece.
The only element that, for me, diminished this otherwise perfect play was the reliance on the audience to come to the theatre with some background knowledge of the period and of Ian Drury. I know a little about the period but I (shamefully) had never heard of Ian Drury so missed out on some of the jokes and lyric quotes that were woven into the piece. This show has still been given 5 stars because my mum, who has never given any show I’ve taken her to see 5 stars, was adamant that this show deserved full marks and was perfect in every way.
The commitment and passion shown by every member of the cast was faultless, the songs were performed brilliantly and the story was told in a sensitive and touching way. This is a show not to be missed, you will come out of the theatre full of joy and enthusiasm for life, as well as a greater appreciation for the power music has over us all. We all have a bit of anarchy in us, and this show gives us the opportunity to let it out!
Runs untill 13th November.
Tags: Daniel McGowen, Garry Robson, Graeae, Ian Drury, Jenny Sealey, Jude Mahon, Karen Spicer, London, Musical, Nadia Albina, Pickles Norman, Stephen Lloyd, The New Wolsey Theatre, Theatre Royal Stratford East
11:31 am on October 28th, 2010
This show was so good when we saw it in Ipswich and on the opening night at Stratford East that we have booked to see it a second time in London – over a 200 mile round trip! If you have not yet seen it then you must. My young son had never heard of Ian Dury before the show but now knows the words to the songs – and has adopted “Spasticus Autisticus” as his personal anthem.
5:28 pm on October 28th, 2010
Saw this show on it’s london opening night and will guarantee will be back to see it before the close, dont be worried if you think you dont know Drury tracks you will soon be going wow he did that.
Must see.
8:26 pm on October 31st, 2010
Just to add a third 5 star rating. I can’t believe how good this is, for me it simply has the lot. I went for the second time last night (first time in Ipswich) and it is just getting better! The cast (both actors and musicians) are quite superb. It is exhilarating! Best wishes, Robin.
7:21 am on November 1st, 2010
A great night out. The cast played with heart, and played well. The musical performances were brilliant. I’d recommend this to anyone who knows the work of Ian Dury and the Blockheads, and to anyone else too young to remember and who loves lively music.
The script is great – fits the mood of the times (then and now) and the music. There were no weak parts to this production – it should tour.
Get onto it.
9:19 pm on November 5th, 2010
I went to see this show last night and have already booked to see it again! I didn’t know I was an Ian Dury fan before, but I am now!! The Blockheads (yes, the real ones!!) were sitting behind me, I heard them saying how much the singer sounded (and looked) like Ian… if they liked it, that says it all for me. This has got to make it to the West End, it’s a hit… Ben Elton, eat your heart out… We Will Rock You ain’t got nothing on this. Oi! Oi!