Edinburgh Festival Theatre – until Saturday 24th September 20th 2022
Reviewed by Ellen Searle
4****
Based on the autobiographical book by Jay Osmond, this production was perhaps an inevitability with the so called ‘jukebox musical’ having the advantage of a ready made fan base audience. Add in the enduring appeal of the siblings pop group and the fascination around the associated family dynamics, and you have a show which has potential to appeal on a number of levels.
Directed by Shaun Kerrison and choreographed by Olivier Award winning Bill Deamer, the show provides the opportunity to see behind the scenes of the famously wholesome Osmonds, to get a feel for the experience of growing up in the spotlight and all that entails, whilst simultaneously letting us enjoy the full on upbeat, slick front of house presentation of a whole bunch of hugely songs ~ Crazy Horses, Puppy Love and Love Me for a Reason to name but a few.
Ryan Anderson, Alex Lodge, Alex Cardall, Joseph Peacock, Danny Natrass and Georgia Lennon sing, act and dance with accomplished skill and full on brio as the Osmond siblings stars. Their exuberance and competence is easily matched by the team of child actors playing their younger versions.
The brightly flamboyant nature of the performances, cleverly presented through the stage set as a giant 70s TV screen, are offset by the darker shade of the narrative following the reality behind the glitz. We learn of the ultra strict military father, relentless drill style rehearsal schedules, and the damaging impact of the need the boys feel to deliver the perfection he demands. And, as the years pass by, we see the inevitable family and business tensions develop, as the needs and wishes of individuals are more and more difficult to meet within the the Osmonds’ brand.
But we also see the fun they have, their achievements in the entertainment industry, and the strong family bonds. Through the reading out of letters by ‘number one fan Wendy from Manchester’, we understand the positive impact that the often frothy and seemingly manufactured music can have on its fans, showing how her connection with the band and its music helps sustain her through difficult times in her own family life.
While the Osmonds’ back catalogue has perhaps not quite stood the test of time compared to other top pop acts whose hits have formed the basis of on stage productions years after their release, all in all, for Osmonds aficionados, this is a treat of a night out. With warmth and high energy, it showcases their greatest hits, and provides insight into the personal challenges felt by members of the band, as well as the sheer joy to be had as talented musicians in a chart topping band touring the world in their own private jet. If you are a fan of the Osmonds, this will have you ‘smiling up to 10’.