Over sixty years after they first formed in 1953, Blackpool Operatic Players should know a thing or two about putting on a play and their latest production, which played at The Grand Theatre, The Producers, shows that they most definitely do. The Producers is an hilarious tale of a plan to produce the worst musical ever, but even the best laid plans go wrong sometimes …
Fading Broadway producer, Max Bialystock, once known as the King of Broadway, has grown tired after an endless string of flops and vows to return to his previous successful form. However, a chance remark made during a meeting with accountant Leo Bloom soon changes Max’s plans and he sets out to produce the worst musical possible instead of the best. During a routine audit Leo, who discovers a cash surplus from Max’s latest Broadway disaster, comments that a producer could actually make more money from a failure than from a success and so the plot begins. Starting with finding the worst script ever, that will offend every race, creed and religion, the two are on the pathway to meeting a plethora of zany, eccentric characters.
Take for example Franz, a pigeon-keeping, singing and dancing Nazi who happens to have written the script “A Love Letter to Hitler” and will only sign the performing rights once the pair have joined him in singing Hitler’s favourite song, “Der Guten Tag Hop Clap” and recited the Siegfried Oath, with the threat of death if they should break it. At the audition, one terrible act follows another, but, much to Max’s dismay, they are rejected by Roger the worst director in New York. In sheer frustration Franz performs the song and is declared to be ‘the one’. After being admonished for using the theatrical no-no ‘good luck’, Franz is instead wished ‘break a leg’ and promptly does. This leads to Roger having to take over his part which he performs with such camp outrageousness that he has the audience rolling in the aisles, believing it to be a satire.
The show is instantly a massive hit with everyone apart from Max and Leo who now have too much money, and Fritz who is furious at the insult to his beloved Fuhrer. After much shouting, fighting and gunshots from Fritz, Max is arrested and found ‘incredibly guilty.’ Meanwhile, Leo has fled with secretary/receptionist/performer and love interest Ulla along with two million dollars takings from the show. However, the pair, filled with remorse return to ask the judge not to separate the two partners. The judge is touched by this and sends the pair of them, along with Franz, to Sing Sing prison for five years. But all is not lost! In prison they write a new musical, “Prisoners of Love.” This goes to Broadway, they are pardoned by the judge and Max and Leo become the Kings of Broadway and walk off into the sunset.
The full cast list for the evening is here and Blackpool Operatic Players are always on the lookout for enthusiastic people to join them, so if you have always wanted to tread the boards, or perhaps working behind the scenes, then they would love to hear from you. Contact Marian Chesters for further information on 01253 700912 or [email protected]
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