Next Door's Baby Lifts the Spirits at the Tabard

Joy and tears mingle at a production not to be missed says Susan Stanley-Carroll


Sensitive, sincere and sweetly positive performances. Picture: Theatre at the Tabard

May 7, 2023

Next Door’s Baby, a musical play, by Matthew Strachan and Bernie Gaughan can be seen at the Theatre at the Tabard until the 27 May.

Excellent entertainment: it is fun, provocative, thought provoking, poignant, and above all lifts the spirits.

Why? Every actor of this cast of eight is brilliant; their characterisations are plausible, they can all sing and dance with gusto and, by Jove, not only do they generate laughter but tears too.

Moments of comedy and tragedy are blended skilfully into a production that leaves the audience thrilled but, nevertheless, concerned for Orla and Miriam’s futures. What is more there are two endings and that is, one of several reasons, it is a particularly marvellous drama.

The story concerns neighbours - two disparate families who hope that their baby will win the local baby competition but both families hide a tragic secret that permeates their lives.

The dominant warring mothers (superbly played by Jackie Pulford as Mrs O’Brien and Abigail Williams as Mrs. Hennessy) powerfully rule their families. Mrs O’Brien, a widow, is the mother of five super lively children; she vigorously manages them alongside a very small income. Whereas Mrs Hennessy has only one married daughter and is the epitome of a well to do, ticketty boo Irish family.

As mentioned above both families harbour a dark, a dark secret that is shared by Orla O’Brien (Amber Deasy) and Miriam (Shaylin Gibson). Both girls’ performances are heart rending: sensitive, sincere and sweetly positive performances. Amber has only to sit on the stage and she transmits her unspoken thoughts to the auditorium.

In contrast the youngest two O’Briens bring laughter and energy to the drama. Logan Mcquillan is a hoot as he hurtles around the stage with his, neatly controlled, football perfectly portraying a teenage boy. His younger sister, Hayley-Jo Murphy, is very funny and convincingly sustains her role as an impressionable teenager.


Moments of comedy and tragedy are blended skilfully. Picture: Theatre at the Tabard

Ben Hannigan as Dickie - oh my goodness how his blue, blue eyes pulls the audience as well as his strong, vibrant voice, that lifted the roof from the building, and sent Thursday’s audience into raptures.

Sam Woodham plays at least three contrasting roles but his main role as Conrad, an abusive American husband, is chillingly powerful: his duets with his wife Miriam almost lapse into moments of tragic opera.

Keith Strachen’s masterly direction is perfectly nuanced as is Beth Jeremy’s charming musical direction. The minimalist simplicity of Hazel Owen’s multi-purpose set creates a spacious stage. And an unexpected treat is the Irish dancing choreographed by Hayley-Jo Murphy who is an Irish Dance World Champion.

The few niggles I had during the first half were instantly forgotten during the stunning second half of the production. Fortunately, the ‘two-headed ending’ turned damp eyes into whoops of laughter and glee. Thursday’s audience were captivated by the infectious energy exuded by all involved in this production and hope you will be too.

Susan Stanley-Carroll

The Hennessy Family in rehearsals
The Hennessy Family in rehearsals

 

The production runs for two hours including an interval and tickets are on sale for £19.50 - £23.50.

You can book all productions online on the Tabard Theatre web site or call the box office on 020 8995 6035 (leave a message if you can’t get through and your call will be returned).

Theatre at the Tabard is at 2 Bath Road, Chiswick (W4 1LW).

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