Reviews
Reviews
User Review: 12Aug01: An unashamedly sentimental production, Danny, a new musical by Barrington Brown, directed by Duggie Brown, makes no attempt to challenge Irish stereotypes or provide some new and profound insight into the effects of war. Essentially a comedy, it nevertheless delivers the occasional moment of highly-charged emotion as it portrays the often overlooked impact of World War One on an Irish family. Danny provides some memorable musical numbers under the musical direction of Paul Mellors although there is scope for fewer Irish folk songs that contribute little. The presence of a narrator played by Duggie Brown is of dubious value although his comedy contribution as Father O’Loughlin successfully drives the entire production. Darren Johnson in the title role and Patricia Hughes as Mary play their respective roles convincingly and deliver the musical numbers strongly, whilst Deborah Winn provides a near faultless performance as love-interest Peggy and Drew Brown performs ably, if briefly, as Michael. However, Ross Michaels as Timothy is disappointing – he plays the role adequately but lacks vocal ability for the musical numbers. Danny may not have deserved the standing ovation it received and clearly still requires work but nevertheless it has potential and is worth seeing. Marcus James
User Review: 09Aug01: An unashamedly sentimental production, Danny, a new musical by Barrington Brown, directed by Duggie Brown, makes no attempt to challenge Irish stereotypes or provide some new and profound insight into the effects of war. Essentially a comedy, it nevertheless delivers the occasional moment of highly-charged emotion as it portrays the often overlooked impact of World War One on an Irish family.
Danny provides some memorable musical numbers under the musical direction of Paul Mellors although there is scope for fewer Irish folk songs that contribute little. The presence of a narrator played by Duggie Brown is of dubious value although his comedy contribution as Father O’Loughlin successfully drives the entire production.
Darren Johnson in the title role and Patricia Hughes as Mary play their respective roles convincingly and deliver the musical numbers strongly, whilst Deborah Winn provides a near faultless performance as love-interest Peggy and Drew Brown performs ably, if briefly, as Michael. However, Ross Michaels as Timothy is disappointing – he plays the role adequately but lacks vocal ability for the musical numbers.
Danny may not have deserved the standing ovation it received and clearly still requires work but nevertheless it has potential and is worth seeing.
Marcus James
User Reviews
USER: UK Theatre Web (12Aug01): An unashamedly sentimental production, Danny, a new musical by Barrington Brown, directed by Duggie Brown, makes no attempt to challenge Irish stereotypes or provide some new and profound insight into the effects of war. Essentially a comedy, it nevertheless delivers the occasional moment of highly-charged emotion as it portrays the often overlooked impact of World War One on an Irish family. Danny provides some memorable musical numbers under the musical direction of Paul Mellors although there is scope for fewer Irish folk songs that contribute little. The presence of a narrator played by Duggie Brown is of dubious value although his comedy contribution as Father O’Loughlin successfully drives the entire production. Darren Johnson in the title role and Patricia Hughes as Mary play their respective roles convincingly and deliver the musical numbers strongly, whilst Deborah Winn provides a near faultless performance as love-interest Peggy and Drew Brown performs ably, if briefly, as Michael. However, Ross Michaels as Timothy is disappointing – he plays the role adequately but lacks vocal ability for the musical numbers. Danny may not have deserved the standing ovation it received and clearly still requires work but nevertheless it has potential and is worth seeing. Marcus James
USER: UK Theatre Web (09Aug01): An unashamedly sentimental production, Danny, a new musical by Barrington Brown, directed by Duggie Brown, makes no attempt to challenge Irish stereotypes or provide some new and profound insight into the effects of war. Essentially a comedy, it nevertheless delivers the occasional moment of highly-charged emotion as it portrays the often overlooked impact of World War One on an Irish family.
Danny provides some memorable musical numbers under the musical direction of Paul Mellors although there is scope for fewer Irish folk songs that contribute little. The presence of a narrator played by Duggie Brown is of dubious value although his comedy contribution as Father O’Loughlin successfully drives the entire production.
Darren Johnson in the title role and Patricia Hughes as Mary play their respective roles convincingly and deliver the musical numbers strongly, whilst Deborah Winn provides a near faultless performance as love-interest Peggy and Drew Brown performs ably, if briefly, as Michael. However, Ross Michaels as Timothy is disappointing – he plays the role adequately but lacks vocal ability for the musical numbers.
Danny may not have deserved the standing ovation it received and clearly still requires work but nevertheless it has potential and is worth seeing.
Marcus James
Danny is a musical play set in a small Irish village between the years 1916 and 1918, 'The Great War' as it was known. The story centres on Danny, a young Irishman who dreams of becoming a successful singer, and the ups and downs of his life and loves. The characters are home loving people, with a deep love for each other, their freedom and their country. Although Danny is set in Ireland, it could be anywhere during the time of the Great War where millions failed to return to their loved ones.
