The world premiere semi-staged concert Jo - The Little Women Musical in Concert

Simon
3 days ago
2 min read

Two actors perform on stage, with a bright backdrop reading "Jo" and "Little." One wears a red dress, the other in brown trousers. Energetic mood. — Christine Allado as Jo and Chris Mann as Professor Bhaer. Photo Credit Roger Alarcon

Most people will know the novel Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, and it definitely helped that I was aware of the main plot lines before watching this semi-staged concert.

The cream of musical theatre, with numerous nominated Grammys and Olivier awards between them including Kerry Ellis as Marmee and Christine Allado as Jo along with a full orchestra along with up to a dozen talented chorus members really delivered an emotional, majestic and dramatic soundtrack. All the sisters harmonised so beautifully together as well as each having at least one dramatic and emotional solo to really show off their considerable individual talents.

With numerous “heart rendering” ballads, occasionally there was one too many crescendos for my liking, the music swelling and falling with such regularity that some musical numbers started sounding like one another.

Jo was always my favourite sister, independent, passionate, imaginative, and still able to be playful and deserves the focus that this show provides.

This was a safe, straightforward, and mostly wholesome sacerinne retelling of the story with the wonderful Tracie Bennet as Aunt March provided much needed comedy and lighter touch as the grumpy opinionated pensioner. In the current climate with so much going on in the world this warm hug may be just what is needed

At over three hours long it will definitely need editing and more focus on different emotional shifts. I’m sure any full musical will lose a few of the similar rousing numbers.

I really hope Jo is developed into a fully west end musical and look forward to being once again swept up in this timeless classic.

Christine Allado – Jo March

Kerry Ellis – Marmee March

Tracie Bennett – Aunt March

Kelly Mathieson – Meg March

Eleanor Grant – Beth March

Sophie Pollono – Amy March

Tobias Turley – Theodore “Laurie” Laurence

Chris Mann – Professor Bhaer

Julian Ovenden – Father March

Liam Tamne – John Brooke

Barry James – Grandfather Laurence