Review: MARVELLOUS, New Vic Theatre Staffordshire
Photo credit: Andrew Billington
Local legend (local to Stoke-On-Trent, anyway) Neil Baldwin’s story might seem slightly far fetched with its tales of football stars, comedians, bishops, circus acts, budgies, politicians, mayors and even Her Majesty the Queen, but once his story begins and we see the real character of Neil, you understand just how truthful it really is.
Adapted for the stage by Neil Baldwin and Theresa Heskins, who also directs, from the day he was born in 1946, Neil was destined to be a special kind of person and so his life, and this play, reflects just that.
Who else could join a church choir and appear on Songs of Praise, hitchhike across the country to be a clown (his famous egg trick is remarkable), apply to his beloved Stoke City to become their new manager and instead become their much-loved kit man? He left school aged 14 with no qualifications and has since received an honorary degree from Keele University, he is after all their official mascot!
Michael Hugo plays Real Neil; his portrayal is a true resemblance of Baldwin. His speech, mannerisms and body language leave an audience questioning if it really is Neil himself in the play.
Supported by a cast of six, who help to tell Neil’s amazing and beautiful story, taking their turn to play Neil at various points in his life, as well as the other main characters in his journey are Charlie Bence, Alex Frost, Jerome Marsh-Reid, Daniel Murphy (who also appeared in the film version), Gareth Cassidy (who must be mentioned for his fantastic impressions and accents spanning from Ken Dodd to Graham Norton to Toby Jones, and from Geordie to Irish to South African to Blackpool), and Suzanne Ahmet, who takes the role of Neil’s Mother, capturing the caring, loving and supportive relationship they had in a touching and poignant manner.
It’s a remarkable story of a remarkable life and this production definitely does its justice!
Guaranteed to make you laugh (a lot!) and cry and if we all took just one thing away with us from Neil’s story, the world would be a much better place …...”I like to be happy, and I like to make people laugh!”
Heartfelt, incredible and truthfully hilarious.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin
Marvellous plays at The New Vic Theatre, Staffordshire until 9 April, with tickets available here.