Review: The Producers (Menier Chocolate Factory)

Review by Daz Gale

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The year may be drawing to a close but there's still time for theatres in London to produce one or two must-see musicals. One of the last big hurrahs of 2024 goes to the Menier Chocolate Factory's revival of Mel Brooks' musical The Producers. Loved among many a theatre fan and not seen in the UK since 2015, would this new production have audiences leaving the theatre delighted or would it be the worst show in town?

Based on the 1967 movie, the musical adaptation of The Producers debuted on Broadway in 2001, hitting the West End in 2004 where it enjoyed a run until 2007. Since then, it has returned for UK tours – the last of which concluded in 2015 with this new production marking its first major London revival. The show tells the story of two producers who set out to deliberately create a huge Broadway flop with the sole intent of getting rich – and so ‘Springtime for Hitler: A Gay Romp with Adolf and Eva at Berchtesgaden’ is born. As is so often the case, not everything goes according to plan and the show unexpectedly becomes a huge hit – but could the same be said about this show?

Written by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, The Producers described itself as an equal opportunity offender and there is the worry that elements may not age as well in these evolving times. However, that is not the case here and the show remains riotously funny. The key to its success is being in on the joke and the intent of the humour being honourable. The whole ‘Springtime for Hitler’ production is incredibly surreal but ridiculously funny in its execution, with an effortless way of allowing the audience to embrace the madness of it all.

As with Mel Brooks’ other musical Young Frankenstein, his writing remains impeccable with a knack for finding the funny like few can manage with Brooks music and lyrics every bit as striking. The result is a show that veers from witty to silly, descending into farce but never losing the humour. The characters though wildly exaggerated seem oddly familiar and fantastically fleshed out to allow their own motivations and personal journeys to reveal themselves. While never taking itself too seriously, The Producers has more depth than its premise might suggest and had me addicted from start to finish.

Though the source material is there to ensure The Producers should always be a hit, Patrick Marber’s inspired direction attempts to transform this production to a far smaller space than it has usually been seen. The Menier Chocolate Factory is a fabulous and versatile space that, when used right, can reveal many strengths to create an intimate and effective production. Marber achieves this with ease, utilising the comparatively small stage and having cast circle the audience at times. Marber clearly has an affinity to Brooks and Meehan’s writing with meticulous care to staying true to the material while amplifying the comedy with every choice a resounding success.

Marber’s direction is complemented by brilliant choreography from Lorin Latarro, performed with precision and panache while keeping one eye rooted on the comedy. Scott Pask’s set design transforms the stage from the predominant setting of Max and Leo’s office with the simple movement of props. This is a show that doesn’t need lavish staging as it is the performances themselves that bring all of the visual excitement. That said, a great use of props provides plenty of enjoyable moments, with the use of birds (and their reveal) my personal highlight. It’s always worth keeping one eye on the ever-changing posters that surround the stage too.

While the production of The Producers is exemplary in itself, it is the cast that carry the show to the next level with an impressively consistent group of performers, all wowing with their talent. Andy Nyman leads the pack as Max Bialystock. This press night performance was prefaced by a message from the Artistic Director explaining that Nyman had been ill but was determined to go on with the show – I only mention this as Andy Nyman proved to be incredible in his performance throughout and if that isn’t him at 100%, I can’t imagine how it could be performed any better. A truly gifted performer who has already blown me away with his performance in another classic musical this year, Nyman delights with charm and charisma (even when his character has a cough) that delivers a commanding leading turn. His vocals still shone throughout despite the circumstances, with his big performance of ‘Betrayed’ well and truly bringing the house down.

Marc Antolin plays Max’s co-producer Leo Bloom, creating a perfect double act with Nyman. Antolin gives a sweet turn that allows for humour to pour in with a tease of heart as this far more likeable character grows throughout. It is the scenes where Nyman and Antolin appear together where true theatre magic is made, with the chemistry between them enough to light up even the darkest of theatres. Their musical numbers together ‘We Can Do It’ and ‘Where Did We Go Right?’ are joyous to witness.

Trevor Ashley is an undoubted standout as the larger than life Roger De Bri, fabulous in every respect, particularly his show stopping turn in musical number ‘Keep It Gay’. It is his somewhat surprising turn as Hitler in ‘Springtime for Hitler’ that proves to die for, however, as the most iconic number in the show is performed in a way I can only describe as theatrical heaven – utterly hilarious and so very wrong, with a special mention going to Alex Lodge for his winning vocals leading the song.

Raj Ghatak and Harry Marrison give flawless and utterly hilarious portrayals as Carmen and Franz respectively, while Joanna Woodward is a revelation as the Swedish Ulla. A breath of fresh air from her first appearance, her performance of ‘When You’ve Got It, Flaunt It’ proves to be a huge highlight of the evening.

Who can say if the producers of The Producers were trying to make an almighty flop when they put together this production. If that was their intent, I’m sorry to say it’s all gone very very wrong as this production is a breath of fresh air. Brooks and Meehan’s original material is revitalised through stunning direction and an out of this world cast, showcasing the very best that can be achieved at the always exciting Menier Chocolate Factory. While Max and Leo may be hoping for an immediate closure with ‘Springtime for Hitler’, there is no danger of that with The Producers, particularly as the entire limited run is pretty much sold out – though if they wanted to, I have no doubt that this production could run for years.

The Producers plays at the Menier Chocolate Factory until 1st March 2025. While availability is limited, check www.menierchocolatefactory.com for returns.

Photos by Manuel Harlan