REVIEW: Godspell – Citizens Theatre, Glasgow

A knock-out cast, some fabulous, familiar tunes and a clear direction proves there’s life in the old dog yet in the Dance School of Scotland’s production of Godspell.

Always a tricky beast, John-Michael Tebelak and Stephen Schwartz’s trippy-hippy treatment of the gospels of St. Matthew and St. Luke) has proved problematic in the past, however, here under the steady hand of director Graham Dickie, a clear narrative emerges amongst the disparate parables.

The Dance School of Scotland provide the creme de la creme of musical theatre students in the country and this year’s batch are no exception. Chief among them Ryan Kopel and Aaron Millar, two young men in possession of stunning and very different voices who will doubtless grace the stages of the West End and beyond in years to come. Kopel’s solo rendition of the classic “Beautiful City” is among the best I’ve ever heard.

This is a fitting showcase for the best of young Scottish musical theatre and a must-see in the theatrical calendar. I personally can’t wait until next year.