The Producers, Palace Theatre, Manchester

by Lucy Moore | 18 March 2015

I have never seen the movie before so I was eager not to find anything out about The Producers before I went to see it last night at the Manchester Palace Theatre- so it came as a complete surprise. With the promise from my husband that I would love it I had high expectations for this production.

The Producers

The Producers has won 12 Tony Awards and 3 Oliver Awards and it is easy to see why- the laughs come thick and fast, the characters are extreme, the story makes no apologies and the costumes dazzle.

The production tells the story of Max Bialystock who has had a string of Broadway flops and is running out of cash. Then he meets shy and retiring accountant Leo Bloom who realises that by producing a flop there is actually money to be made with a bit of manipulation of the books. They team up and plan to make the worst show ever, by taking on the questionable script- called Springtime for Hitler. After it's all over they plan to run away to Rio with their millions and live the rest of their days in luxury. However, if their Nazi themed musical is a hit- what then?

The musical is terribly inappropriate and at times you feel guilty for laughing- but for those of you have a devilish sense humour then you must go and see it.

Phill Jupitus who played the escaped Nazi, Franz Liebkind along with his ill-fated pigeons, was brilliant and made everyone laugh with his insistence that Max and Leo perform the ‘Der Guten Tag Hop Clop’ before signing his script over to them.

It was a refreshing change to see Manford take on a whole new challenge, and his ease on stage as Leo Bloom made you believe he had been singing and acting all his life instead of doing his stand-up comedy. He channelled his hilarious facial expressions and comic timing into this role with gusto and had the audience rolling about in the aisles.

Although all of the main acts were belly laughingly funny, choreographer Louie Spence was perfect as the character Carmen Ghia- he was camp, flamboyant and poked fun at many of the homosexual stereotypes- all in good humour.

Cory English did a sterling performance as Max Bialystock and wowed the audience with his solo where he condenses down the entire play into one song- a very challenging act and one he pulled off with confidence and enthusiasm.

David Bedella's character Roger De Bris- dare I say it made the perfect effeminate Hitler and Tiffany Graves as Ulla certainly caught the attention of some men behind us after her performance of When You Got It, Flaunt It.

I felt sad when this was over because I enjoyed it so much. You will not be disappointed and if you are like me you will want to see the full extended version of Springtime with Hitler by the time it's finished.

There is nothing left to say other than buy a ticket and 'Keep it Gay'!