Music: Andrew Lloyd-Webber

Lyrics: Jim Steinman

Book: Mary Hayley Bell

Director: Bill Kenwright

Reviewer: Sarah Lyth

The Public Reviews Rating:

Whistle down the Wind opens with a rather twee set of events that establish the scene in the Bible belt of America…fundamental in belief, archaic in social values and really rather cheesy in this 21st Century era of supposed tolerance, technology and multiculturalism.

The narrative centres around The Man, an escaped convict who shelters in young Swallow’s family barn. The children, having been brought up with the fervent threat and promise that Jesus will return to Earth, believe that the Messiah has chosen their humble home to start his new and final mission. They are clearly mistaken and as the baying townsfolk approach it is the pure belief of the children in The Man’s intrinsic goodness that causes him to examine his soul, his actions and in turn make the hearts of the audience melt. The awareness that he shows when he breaks down and sings out about being overtaken by ‘The Beast’ is the most powerful event of the play, Jonathan Ansell pouring out the emotion and complexity that one would expect of an Andrew Lloyd Webber piece. Carly Bawden plays the naïve and determined Swallow with tenacity and a voice expressive of the beauty her character places her whole trust in. Toby Smith similarly conveys the young Poor Baby with integrity, humour and impressive confidence. When the barn makes the ‘biggest Christmas bonfire’ in town it makes for a powerful spectacle reminiscent of Dante’s Inferno, with all of its accompanying hellfire and blazing curls of smoke.

The relationship between this core trio of characters, as well as the outstanding music from the orchestra and the sung pieces, hold together a rather outdated remainder of the plot. In the first few scenes the issue ofracial segregation is introduced but never explored, the characters of Edward and Sam performing in a delightful bar scene before being thrown out in case they are discovered by the coming police. I was disappointed at the casual references to such a theme without it being opened out. Similarly, the graceful Candy played by a rhythmic and energetic Scarlette Douglas is rather sidelined, portrayed as being ‘a black girl’ and nothing else.

All in all, Whistle Down the Wind is a show worth seeing for the emotive music but don’t expect to be challenged by the narrative or the storytelling power of the production. A musical treat that lacks depth in the narrative.

Runs until sat 6th Feb

Whistle Down the Wind - Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield, 5.0 out of 5 based on 1 rating

Tags: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Bill Kenwright, Carly Bawden, Jonathan Ansell, Lyceum Theatre, Scarlette Douglas, Sheffield, Toby Smith, Whistle Down the Wind