Acorn Antiques: The Musical

What could I say to anyone who says they were disappointed by "Acorn Antiques: The Musical", I would say take some time out of your day and give it another go. Celia Imrie delightfully shocked us with her quite charming singing voice, and Duncan Preston always gives a superb performance with his dry wit and sense of humour with hilarious lines such as "I'll settle this, I have a scrotum" And ofcorse it would be a crime not to mention the national treasure that is Julie Walters, Julie never fails to deliver a top notch performance as her signature role Mrs Bodecia Overall. Neil Morrisey also gives an hilarious performance as "Tony, the Credit Crony" Great Jokes, Perfect Timing, Fabulous,famous Victoria Wood writing style and Funny Catchy show tunes, what more do you need????

My best advice with Acorn Antiques the musical is to skip ahead to the second half of the musical (e.g chapter 7 onwards). This is because the first half is ....well....extremely extremely odd. The second half however is the musical you are expecting and you will not be disappointed - great songs and in-jokes.

I hear as the show travelled they did indeed cut out a lot of the first half and God only knows why it made it onto the DVD.

The songs in the second half are superb and you will find yourself singing them for days afterwards. There are also a lot of laugh out loud moments and in-jokes for fans of the original series.

If you don't get regional British humour you won't get this - which is a tragedy because this is British theatre at its' best! The dialogue is wonderful, smooth and expertly delivered - as are all the songs and dances. Julie Walters, Celia Imrie, Duncan Preston, Sally Ann Triplett and Josie Lawrence show what true professionalism is and whilst the story is somewhat different to the TV series and lacks some of the familiar items, the new mixture of the TV series and 'Vaudeville/Music Hall' is inspirational, extremely funny and well delivered. Even though I dislike Neil Morrisey's previous work, I have to say he delivered the obnoxious/slimy role very well - good casting, The rest of the cast is tip top too - just like 'Tip Top Tap'!! Well done Victoria Wood et al - more please!!

I was amazed at how good this show was, shame Victoria did not make any more musicals as her unique brand of comedy and musical timing is gold.

The loved the first act, as it introduces the characters rehearsing in a amateur production with a awful self absorbed director (Neil Morrissey) and in one scene is a direct nod to Les Misérables.

The second act is where the real acorn antiques really starts and comes alive, Celia Imrie, Duncan Preston are as fun ever and Sally Ann Triplett brings her own style to Miss Berta. Julie Walters is definitely the star of the show.

Victoria's Music and lyrics are as charming as ever and shows the broad range of her talent and the love song later in the act, has a lot of emotion and is my favourite and will always remain in my heart.

In April 2016 we lost our Victoria, she was a comedy legend and genius and this musical and her shows will go on R.I.P Victoria you were one of a kind.

It is very rare for me to laugh out loud when I watch something on my own (which is a very different experience from watching a comic drama with others), and despite being very tired last night I laughed out loud a lot and thoroughly enjoyed the DVD.

Julie Walters sparkles as always both as the hunchbacked crone Mrs Overall and as the pretentious, self-absorbed actress Bo Beaumont. Celia Imrie and Duncan Preston, both also cast member from the original Acorn Antique TV sketches were also excellent.

Josie Lawrence was a welcome addition I have only seen her perform on the improvisational comedy game show "Whose Line is it Anyway" but continue to be impressed by her as I was by Neil Morrissey – both as the pompous John and the slimy Tony.

However it is Victoria Woods writing which has to be the star of the show. It is so full of wit and irony and self-effacing sarcasm.

A wonderful show which I thoroughly enjoyed – I only wish I had seen it on stage in the West End!