The Color Purple at The Lowry Review by Natalie Anglesey

 

The Color Purple at The Lowry. Review by Natalie Anglesey


You may already have heard of the Tony award-winning musical, The Color Purple, because of rave reviews prior to its arrival at The Lowry. You’ve also probably guessed this is the American spelling because it's based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer prize-winning novel, published in 1984, which was made into an award-winning movie.

Since then, The Color Purple has been adapted for the theatre with a stage book by Pulitzer Prize and Tony award-winner Marsha Norman. There's terrific music and lyrics by Allee Willis, Brenda Russell and Stephen Bray. Their musical inspiration encompasses jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues which is obviously appealing.  But this landmark musical also celebrates life, love and the strength to stand up for who you are and what you believe in.

Set in the early 1900s, long before the Civil Rights Movement came to fruition, this powerful musical is a co-production between Leicester’s Curve Theatre and Birmingham Hippodrome. It tells the life-affirming story of courageous heroine Celie, superbly played by Me'sha Bryan. Sexually abused and oppressed throughout her youth, and a warning there are no holds barred in this story, she embarks on her own personal journey. But it's not so much a physical journey but an internal one and the audience clapped and roared its approval with each step forward.

Along the way Celie experiences joy, despair, anguish and eventually hope. At the same time discovering her own unique voice thanks to the strong women she encounters. They include an unbreakable bond with her sister Nettie, beautifully played by Aaliyah Zhane, a friendship with fiercely independent Sofia, played by Anelisa Lamola, and a life-changing affair with glamorous singer Shug Avery, played by Bree Smith. Eventually, Celie learns to like and ultimately love herself.


Expertly directed by Tinuke Craig, the musical supervision is by Alex Parker with choreography by Mark Smith. While the sets and costume are designed by Alex Lowde. This superb production comes with an age recommendation of 14+ because of the strong adult themes. You can see this highly recommended production of The Color Purple at The Lowry until 15th October. Don't leave it too late before you book at thelowry.com






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