Tag Archives: Baylie Carson

2025

“Ride the Cyclone” at the Southwark Playhouse

This Canadian musical from 2009, by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell, arrives in London with fans primed and a cast that knows how to work the crowd. You can appreciate why people are keen. The whole thing is quirky, with lots of good songs and very clever lyrics that allow performers to show off their talent. Arguably, it’s a little too kooky for its own good, perhaps not as funny or as profound as it wants to be. But a fear that some will be offended by that assessment tells us something has gone right – cult is an overused term, but this show deserves it.

The scenario is just strange. After the members of a school choir die at a fairground accident a fortune-telling automaton (a predictably unforgiving role for Edward Wu) tells them they must decide which one of them can return to life. As if a cue were needed, each of the teens gets the chance to sing, including a Jane Doe who lost her head in the accident. It’s all a little too morbid and a touch predictable… but if you find it intriguing, then fair enough.

The contents of the show, though, are good. The songs are varied and full of surprises. The lyrics contain unexpected twists. All the numbers are more than catchy – they are worth listening to again and again. Sentimentality is kept in check and there are lots of ideas on offer. If the score doesn’t hold together – it’s more a collection of strong songs – then the show makes a virtue of that.

Director and choreographer Lizzi Gee’s production does well with the small stage and makes up for technical limitations with inventive touches. The sound needs to be bigger, the dancing sharper. But the performances are super. The sextet – Baylie Carson, Grace Galloway, Robyn Gilbertson, Damon Gould, Bartek Kraszewski and Jack Maverick – sound great and make their characters fulsome. Each gets a well-deserved rapturous response. Smart touches (extra points for a kazoo) and plenty of humour make Ride the Cyclone a neat surprise. But it is the atmosphere that really makes the show worth a spin.

Until 10 January 2026

www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

Photo by Charlie Flint

2023

“Six” at the Vaudeville Theatre

A theatrical phenomenon and worldwide hit, this musical by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss goes from strength to strength. OK, I didn’t see the premiere at the Edinburgh Festival, but I did rave about its take on history and its excellent songs as soon as it got to London. Now, new cast members take on the crowns of Henry VIII’s wives to tell their story in inimitable style.

The show uses our knowledge that the queens were variously divorced and beheaded or died, but imagines them reunited as a pop group. How’s that for an excuse for great songs and a fantastic atmosphere! With modern sensibilities and humour (the lyrics and script are very funny) a mock competition sets the queens against one another.

It isn’t really a contest – that turns out to be an important point. And one of the show’s many joys is to see the ensemble work so well together while pretending to pit themselves against each other. This six are a great group – sharing emotion and, above all, fun. Despite them working in harmony musically, we still get six distinct characters, which is also important: Six is about the women rather than the man they were married to.

In chronological order, there is a lot of praise to bestow. Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky plays the first wife, Catherine of Aragon, and sounds amazing. Baylie Carson takes the part of Anne Boleyn and proves to be the show’s clown, getting a laugh with every line. There’s Jane Seymour’s ballad next, belted out by Claudia Kariukias in fine style. Dionne Ward-Anderson is Anna of Cleves – a commanding role that whips up the crowd. Koko Basigara as Katherine Howard has (arguably) the best number, ‘All You Wanna Do’, which showcases Marlow and Moss’s talents superbly. Finally, Roxanne Couch’s Catherine Parr guides much of the action and sounds superb.

There can be no higher praise than to say this cast does Six justice – the show really is that good. While the direction from Moss and Jamie Armitage is robust, and the choreography from Carrie-Anne Ingrouille strong, the performers bring high energy and strong comedy skills that prove a clear appreciation of the show’s intelligent humour. Six is my go-to recommendation not just for those who love musicals but anyone who likes a good show. Long may these queens reign on the Strand.

Until 29 October 2023

www.sixthemusical.com

Photo by Pamela Raith