THE audience was transported back to the 1980s when a group of talented youngsters performed Our House at The Oakwood Centre, Woodley.
Tim Firth’s musical show, which premiered in the West End in 2002, is unapologetically a vehicle for the songs of Camden Town Ska band Madness – aleading Two-Tone band until 1986.
Starmaker Theatre Company brought to life the band’s distinct style and energy during a rip-roaring, toe-tapping night, jam-packed with Madness songs, and with superb accompaniment from their gallery musicians.
And Oh What Fun We Had! as the stage was filled with the music and nutty humour of the 1980s.
The show cleverly incorporates hits Our House, Simple Equation, My Girl, Baggy Trousers, Driving in My Car, and many more into a story of 16 year old Camden lad, Joe Casey who, keen to impress his new girlfriend, breaks into a building site.
With the police on their way, will he run away or stay and face the consequences?
The choice will directly affect his life, and two possible futures are played out in parallel, with Good Joe paying for his crime and making good, and Bad Joe fleeing to avoid responsibility.
Charlie Kendall, 15, played both Joes with just the right amount of 1980s Camden charm and confidence.
Equally strong performances were given by Chloe Roberts, Marnie Jacob, Toby Franklin, Camilla Tavares, Jasper Morrin, Aoife Rogan, Sarah Levitt, Alex Sewardson, Findlay Pearson, and Alana Smith, all of whom created a range of wonderfully colourful leading characters.
And with the talents of an additional 13 ensemble performers, the stage was positively fizzing with joyful energy from start to finish.
Director Oliver Widdis said: “We had a lot of newcomers join us for this year’s show, and it’s been great fun introducing them to the joy of performing.
“Our cast size doubled, and the number of costumes and scene changes more than tripled.
“The stage isn’t big enough to support the whole cast on stage at once, so we kept movement constant, with people flowing in and out of scenes, but I think that really added to the energy of the piece.”
Oliver has become a big Madness and Two-Tone fan.
“I knew the music, as my dad loves Madness, but the songs have really grown on me.
“It’s so important that everyone in these shows has a ball.
“From the very beginning of Our House everyone was excited, and ready to rehearse.
“I have just loved working on the production.”
Starmakers’ next production will be Little Women.
Open audition opportunities (for ages 12 to 21) will take place at South Lake Primary School, Woodley, on Sunday, April 27.
Pre-audition workshops, and information, will be available on Wednesday April 16, Wednesday April 23, and Friday April 25.
For information visit: starmaker.org.uk
