Wedding Singer strikes the right note
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A new production of a musical called the Wedding Singer left no-one standing at the altar during a fun and fast ceremony lasting about two hours long.
by John Nice
It was performed by students from Abbeygate Sixth Form College in Bury St Edmunds and it had a bouquet of eighties references that included everything from big hair to bangles.
There is always something that unexpectedly goes wrong at a wedding. During mine, one of the hymn verses wasn’t printed correctly which meant How Great Thou Art was more - though aren’t so great after all.
During this series of weddings - there was a short intermission for an unannounced alarm - but it didn’t matter at all as the cast were metaphorically on fire.
The cast of The Wedding Singer strut their stuff.
The story is a take on the film starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore and sees a wedding singer called Robbie go on a classic ‘will they or won’t they fall in love’ rollercoaster ride with the female lead called Julia.
Robbie is a bit or a chameleon – with Julia acting as his karma – but suffice to say – after lots of ups and downs, the audience was left feeling like they wanted to dance with somebody as the feelgood ending made sure you don’t stop believing.
Isaac Gallin-Palmer played Robbie and his performance was an absolute thriller.
Esme Latta as Julia moonwalked effortlessly across the stage whenever she entered it.
The supporting cast were superb and included a star of the 2024 Latitude Festival (Frankie Freeman) whose splendid voice always elevated the moment.
Isaac Gallin Palmer and Esme Latta in The Wedding Singer will they or won't they find love.
And the rest of this theatrical troupe gave it their all and made this seem like another day in paradise.
The direction by Sophie Allen brought energy, humour and passion and the music performed by students from Abbeygate and Kings Edwards had the eye of the tiger, was true and made you want to jump.
The tech crew – who were all students from Eastern Education Group – and they should take a bow as they never panicked once.
This was the first ever big musical production created by Abbeygate.
And everyone got a tremendous reception at the end of this wedding saga that took my breath away.
The final show is on Friday 14 March 2024 – you can buy tickets here.
