Because of covid it has been four years since I saw musical theatre from Birmingham Ormiston Academy (BOA). In the past, a highlight of the year with productions up there with the professionals, and at a fraction of the price. Stars of the future. The best young talent around.

I had never seen Cry Baby – The Musical before and could barely recall the 1990 John Waters film of the same name, having only seen it on its release. However, BOA are the draw for me and with a musical score from David Javerbaum, plus the late great Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne fame, I was optimistic. Also, a book from the brilliant Thomas Meehan and Mark O’Donnell, it’s hard to know why Cry Baby hasn’t the high profile it deserves.

The show revolves around a group of delinquents in Baltimore who refer to themselves as The Drapes and their interaction with the rest of the town and another sub-group, The Squares. Centre to this are Wade ‘Cry Baby’ Walker (a Drape) and Alisson Vernon-Williams (a Square) who fall in love, despite their cultural differences. Yes, it’s Romeo and Juliet, without the death. A simple plot device that still works well.

This was BOAs Year 13 Production, and with a roll call of just under a hundred in Musical Theatre it is inevitable that this show was split into two casts. A shame for me on one part as I only got to see half the talent available (including missing some who I have seen in other Youth Productions). However, I know for certain both casts would have been as good as each other.

On my visit Fergus Edwards was in the title role as Wade, the second time in a few months I have experienced his enormous talent after watching him as Peter Pan last year. Phenomenal voice and stage presence, Edwards excelled throughout. In Allison, we had the equally wonderful Misty Griffin with the Wade/Alisson duet, I’m Infected a highlight.

It’s hard to comment on most of the numbers as I was not familiar, but I now have enough interest to get a cast recording soundtrack. From my notes, I particularly enjoyed A Whole Lot Worse, You Can’t Beat the System, Misery, Agony, Helplessness, Hopelessness, Heartache and Woe, All in My Head, Do That Again and Nothing Bad’s Ever Gonna Happen Again. However, all were decent so if I’ve missed some out, it’s because I was too engrossed at the time.

Also in this excellent principal line up was Ella Holland who shone as Cordelia Vernon-Williams, especially during I Did Something Wrong … Once. Then we had Max Hall as Dupree, giving an impressive performance during Jailyard Jubilee. The antagonists in Cry Baby are the Whiffles and Max Coleman (Baldwin), Jack Winstanley, Cameron Dews and Taylor Gibson were all outstanding. On the other side were the lead Drapes and Abi Pearce (Pepper), Georgia Williams (Wanda) and Jessie Wilson (Mona ‘Hatchet Face’ Malnorowski), each commanding in presence, song, and dance. And on the subject of dance, there was a tremendous troupe led well by Sam Reed.

There is one person I have saved till last and like many shows, a performance sometimes stands out to me and this time it was Anna Watkins as the psychotic Lenora. Always in character and I found it hard to take my eyes off her for fear of losing a moment of magic. Watkins particularly delivered during Screw Loose, which says it all about Lenora. Brilliant.

Direction for Cry Baby was in the hands of Georgie Meller with co-assistance from Alice Scott and Jack Broughton. Mellor also oversaw choreography with support from Lucy Lowe and Sam Reed. Musical Direction was by Daniel Summers and Tim Harding.

A superb production, up with the best out of the dozens I see each year. BOA is back on the menu, and I can’t wait for the next one.

Cheers.

Antony N Britt

*Photos blatantly taken from The Old Rep’s Facebook Page.