Gutted: A Revenger's Musical

Danielle Ward, Robin Ince and Martin White concentrate during the Q&A after the show.

Last year I am sad to say that I could not get to Edinburgh or to either of the preview shows of Gutted: A Revengers Musical for various reasons.

Luckily last night this was rectified with a concert performance at the Leicester Square Theatre. All of the original cast with one exception were in attendance. Unfortunately the leading lady, Helen George had to pull out last week and a replacement, in the equally talented, Isy Suttie was found and with only 2 rehearsals was spectacular.

The plot, written by Danielle Ward, is the age old story of girls parents are killed, she grows up, finds and marries the murderer (who got away with it), then systematically works her way through the family of her new groom.

Martin White, Doc Brown, Isy Suttie and Colin Hoult.

Isy played Sorrow the girl who loses her parents at a young age, we join her on the day of her marriage to Mr Bewley (the murderer), played with gusto by Colin Hoult (who also plays the rest of the Bewley clan, including a tragically under used Pablo Bewley). From here a mix of songs and murder take place, each song being accompanied by a full orchestra, The Mystery Fax Machine Orchestra (conducted and composed by Martin White).

The cast played each role to the full with the Penny Dreadfuls seemingly trying to out do each other to get the others to corpse which almost happened a few times. Michael Legge as the blind vicar had the best line of the night - what God does if you sin. Sara Pascoe and Margaret Cabourn-Smith played the locals/help with an undertone of lesbianism (according the the Q&A after). Jim Bob in his two roles (and a perfectly played duet with Lizzie Roper - who is a great character actor herself) was an inspiration of casting considering he hasn't acted before. Not knowing any of Doc Browns work before (either as a comedian or rapper) I have to say he was (again) perfect in the role of Joe the gardener. At various points throughout the show I almost cried with laughter, also due to bad toilet break planning and drinking I did almost pee myself with laughter towards the end, shouldn't have broken the seal.

The Penny Dreadfuls - in a quiet moment

After the show the cast, conductor Martin Ward and writer Danielle Ward were joined on stage by Robin Ince for a Question and Answer session. I cannot repeat some of the answers for (most probably) libel reasons. But this was almost as funny as the show, Thom Tuck bending over backwards showed his flexibility as a person and performer and was a highlight.

Hopefully the show will be run again somewhere either on TV or in a big theatre. In the meantime Psister Psycho is next week, Ward and Whites first co-created show. Even if it's only half as good as Gutted it will still be worth going to.

The cast finally looking like they are enjoying the Q&A