Student at East Bergholt High School
‘It's a Wonderful Life' set from the 1920's till the late 1940's in the small American town of Bedford Falls, is the story of George Bailey, whose ambitions had been shattered by the suffocating demands of his unfulfilling life, causing him to resort to suicide.
Paul Thornley (George Bailey) managed to create a character whose swinging emotions had everyone finding they could relate to.
The performance given by Paul Leonard, playing the part of Potter, was everything a creepy scheming antagonist should be, his strong vocal performances perfectly portrayed his confidence of power.
Other notable performances include those of Lucinda Shaw (Violet) and Kerry Washington (Mrs. Bailey). Both women displayed their outstanding vocal talents, and in the case of Kerry Washington, almost reducing the audience to tears.
I must say I was disappointed to find that Potter never received his downfall, but nevertheless I found the ending so uplifting that it hardly mattered.
The combination of a simple set and lights along with effects such as ice and snow had us all engrossed in a world we readily believed was true.
The entire play took me with it as it progressed, leaving it impossible to become confused throughout all the emotional turmoil. Never before have I found a musical that has made me feel at home, until now.
I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been to convert a film that has often been described as a timeless classic into a musical. It was a challenge that Steve Brown fully embraced and came out not only as a success, but also with a heartfelt message. That it is indeed a wonderful life.