Review: West Side Story, Ilkley Musical Theatre Society, King’s Hall

ONE of the world’s most celebrated musicals transports the world’s most famous love story from sun-drenched 16th century Verona to New York’s steamy West Side in the 1950’s.

Feuding Montagues and Capulets in Shakespeare’s timeless story become gangs of American white youths known as the Jets - versus young Puerto Rican immigrants aka the Sharks. But mortal danger looms as forbidden love blossoms between Tony, a former Jet, and Maria, sister of Sharks leader Bernardo.

Arthur Laurents wrote the book, Leonard Bernstein composed the music and Stephen Sondheim supplied the lyrics. Jerome Robbins, a renowned dancer of his day, directed and choreographed the original Broadway production. Dance has subsequently been integral to any production of West Side Story.

Ilkley Musical Theatre Society (IMTS) have clearly nurtured a considerable pool of young artists who can act and sing as well as dance. Production director and vocal coach Mark Allan unfailingly mines the gold from his young company. Mark develops performance skills that some probably had not realised they possessed.

Ensemble song and dance numbers choreographed by Catherine Gregory such as the Jets Song, Dance at the Gym: Mambo and Gee Officer Krupke, were projected with such cocky streetwise energy and infectious enthusiasm, plus the occasional cartwheel or forward roll.

Seventeen-year-old Jamie Speight as Maria and Barnaby Killan, just 16, as Tony sing beautifully, give mature performances and will break your heart by the show’s end. Sixteen going on 17-year-old Matthew Disney shows great promise as a dark and menacing Bernardo. Sophia Rose, aged 16, gives a powerful portrayal of Anita and leads a vibrant rendition of ‘America’. Benji Kirk,16, is convincing as the appropriately called ‘Action’ - always eager for a skirmish. Jude Hollick makes his IMTS debut with a towering performance as Riff.

Among the adult figures of authority, Riaz Meer stands out as Officer Krupke; as does Matthew Nutting - Lieutenant Schrank, Ted Killan - Doc and Andrew Howarth - Glad Hand.

The multi-tasking Steph Burgess, President of IMTS, takes control of the music, meticulously cueing the singers in perfect sync with the recorded orchestral backing. Apologies for not naming everybody - you were all fantastic!

West Side Story continues at King’s Hall today (Friday) at 7.15pm and Saturday at 1.30pm and 6.30pm.