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Ferndown Phoenix Musical Society Barrington Theatre Ferndown September 2004 The opening scene, set in a crowded underground station during a raid, was particularly impressive, as were all the scenes featuring the 37 children in the junior cast – their Mums and Dads number was exceptionally well performed. Essentially though, the story centres around two families – the Jewish Blitzteins and the Gentile Lockes. Trish Ruff (Mrs Blitztein) and Derek Salt (Alfred Locke) sparred beautifully with each other, while Catherine Ruff (Carol Blitztein) and Michael Leggett (Harry Blitztein) had a real chemistry between them as the show’s love interest. There were strong characterisations too from other principals, especially Peter Ferenczy (Harry Blitztein) and Roy Birch (Ernie Nearmiss), while the adult chorus also made their mark with lively performances. Singing, under musical director Georgina Starkey, was strong, and costumes and sets were excellent. But I can only conclude that the final scene’s falling masonry, caused by a previously unexploded bomb, concussed whoever was responsible for the disastrously shambolic curtain calls on opening night. Linda Kirkman Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo 
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