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Acorn Antiques: The Musical
Acorn Antiques: The Musical! is the all-singing, all-dancing and fully overalled stage version of the beloved TV spoof. The triumphant West End production brought together Julie Walters (Mrs Overall), Celia Imrie (Miss Babs) and Duncan Preston (Mr Clifford) - the original cast of the series. It was directed by Sir Trevor Nunn ("Les Miserables", "Woman in White", "Starlight Express") and written by Julie's understudy, the award-winning Victoria Wood. Filmed during the sell-out run at the beautiful Haymarket Theatre, the musical features an all-star supporting cast of Josie Lawrence, Neil Morrissey & Sally Ann Triplett.
Insights
Plot Summary
The musical adaptation of the beloved BBC comedy series follows Mrs. hObject's Antiques, a cluttered shop run by the perpetually flustered Mrs. Josephine Wimple and her well-meaning but bumbling assistant, Derek. When a shady property developer, Mr. Rudd, sets his sights on acquiring the shop and the surrounding block, Mrs. Wimple and her eccentric customers rally to save their beloved establishment. The story unfolds with a blend of musical numbers that highlight the characters' predicaments and the unique charm of the antique shop.
Critical Reception
Acorn Antiques: The Musical! received a generally positive reception, particularly for its faithful adaptation of the source material's humor and charm. Critics often praised Victoria Wood's writing and musical compositions, as well as the performances of the cast, especially Julie Walters. While some found the plot thin, the overall sentiment was that it was a delightful and nostalgic stage production for fans of the original series.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its charming and witty script, capturing the essence of the original TV series.
The musical numbers were generally well-received, adding a unique dimension to the familiar characters and setting.
Performances, particularly from the lead cast, were highlighted as a major strength.
Google audience: Audience reception is not readily available through aggregated Google user reviews for this specific stage musical.
Awards & Accolades
Nominated for Olivier Awards including Best New Musical, Best Actor in a Musical (for Duncan Preston), Best Actress in a Musical (for Josie Lawrence), and Best Supporting Role in a Musical (for Celia Imrie).
Fun Fact
The musical was based on the BBC sitcom 'Acorn Antiques', which itself was a parody of small, cluttered antique shops and the eccentric characters often found within them.
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