Customer Reviews

Pickwick: The Musical (1993 Chichester Cast)

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I was first attracted to this musical after seeing excerts from the show on the Royal Variety Performance on British TV in 1993. I noticed it was playing in the area where I live so I called ahead to reserve some tickets and it was completely sold out for all 14 performances so I realised that this would be a must-see show. Fortunately I got some tickets for another venue and I wasn't disappointed with a full orchestra, great sets and an amazing cast. I was aware of Harry Secombe but not really a fan but that changed that evening in York. Sir Harry who would have been in his 70's then showed off his talents as both a comic actor and brilliant singer. David Cardy as Sam Weller worked extremely well as a double act with Harry (Pickwick) also the other Pickwickians mixed comedy with great songs and another Welsh talent Ruth Madoc had a strong voice and great comedy timing as Mrs Bardell. The songs were powerful and Michael Howe's "A Bit Of A Character" was a real show stopper. Best for me was "That's All I Want For Christmas", "Talk" and "Never Met A Fella", however the classic "If I Ruled The World" brought the house down as Harry's most famous song echoed round the theatre. The trial scene although a little long was very funny with Harry Secombe not only making the audience laugh but members of the cast as well culminating in a memorable song "British Justice" with the entire cast marching and waving Union Jack flags. I saw the show about 8 times and various cast members left but Harry, David, Michael remained throughout. The highlight for me was in 1997 I witnessed the last ever "Pickwick" with Harry Secombe with a genuine standing ovation and a presentation with his wife Myra joining him on stage. A video of this would be be very popular - did they ever make one?

If you happen to purchase this top quality recording of a much loved and excellently executed show then you'll see my name in the cast list. I can't stress how superb this show was, and how amazing Sir Harry sounded performing "If I ruled the World" 30 years on since his appearance in the original production. The show was created for Chichester and the cast is an impeccable ensemble, with David Cardy playing Roy Castle's cheeky scamp of a son and Michael Howe providing an extremely memorable "Bit of a character". I was only 13 and a mere street urchin. What is heart wrenching is knowing that Castle only missed a fortnight for Chemotherapy and that the great Goon himself passed away not long after the show had finished it's tour. His daughter Katy also appears on the soundtrack, along with Welsh legend Glyn Houston and director Patrick Garland's ever beautiful and talented wife Alexandra Bastedo (now appearing in Batman Begins!). The production in Chichester played to a 100 percent attendance for it's entire run; with the exception of the Blues Brothers, this is a record for the Festival Theatre and I believe it shows why in this recording. A wonderful show of the highest calibre and well worth investing in.