By Jeff Allum
It's a Wonderful Life is often called a timeless classic and will almost certainly be found towards the top of 'all time greatest film' lists. But will it work as a musical?
What was interesting at the outset of the show was the minimalist set: virtually nothing aside from a sign declaring Bedford Falls, the fictional town familiar to all who have seen the classic Frank Capra film.
However the storyline doesn't demand elaborate decor - a complete contrast to the New Wolsey's suitably over-the-top Little Shop of Horrors production a year ago.
Having seen the film, I was interested to see how the story would translate to a fully musical format, a very bold move.
For audience members unfamiliar with the plot, it was important to understand the sacrifices that honest lead character George Bailey had made during his life, to make him consider suicide following a financial error on the part of his Uncle Billy.
Bailey was played by Paul Thornley, recognisable to me as likeable travel agency manager Jeff from ITV's Life Begins, who showed great talent in portraying the wide range of emotions encountered by Bailey as we revisited his early life and how things would have been had he not existed.
Good support was given by Jo Servi as angel Ace - the Clarence Oddbody character in the movie - whose musical numbers included many of the best and wittiest lines.
In my view the best performance came from Paul Leonard, in the role of Scrooge-esque bad guy Mr Potter.
Though his role confined him to a seating position, Leonard's vocal performances and facial expressions were very strong.
Highlights were the emotional departure of Bailey for his new life away from his father's firm, and the duet between the loving father (played by veteran actor Michael Fenton Stevens) and son illustrated one of the many difficult decisions George encountered.
My concerns that the musical format would not suit the story were largely removed. There were small parts of the original story sacrificed but these did not hinder the understanding or enjoyment.
Whilst the musical numbers are not as strong as those in the likes of Guys and Dolls or the aforementioned Little Shop, there is a range of compositions from slow downbeat duets to upbeat 1930s college leavers ball scenes that provide something for everyone.
A classic story enjoyably told and, as with the opening night, a standing ovation from many of the audience.