MYK Set The Bar High With Dogfight

Dogfight started its life as a 1991 Warner Bros. picture. Peter Duchan went on to write the musical adaptation with music & lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. MYK Productions are the first amateur company in the UK to have secured the rights to perform this exhilarating show and boy, have they set the bar high! The next production will be a tough act to follow.

The audience are quickly introduced to the 2 leads: Eddie Birdlace (played by Maison Kelley) and Rose Fenny (played by Cecily Redman). A charming pre-show sets the scene and acquaints patrons with the onstage 5-piece band, all incredible musicians who appear to have mastered the show's score to perfection. The young leads prove themselves phenomenal singers and convincing actors and are well supported by the ensemble. Highlights include James Mateo-Salt's portrayal of the socially angry and ignorant Boland, and Lauren Key's sassy and confident characterisation of the call girl Marcy.

Songs are well delivered, each performer appearing to have understood and embraced the pieces thanks to the Musical Direction of Jack Hopkins. Rose's song Nothing Short of Wonderful reflects her vulnerability; she is inexperienced, naive, unsophisticated and idealistic. Eddie sings with masculinity and great vibrato, and there is a natural chemistry between the unlikely sweethearts. 

Scenes that pivot around the young "jar heads" feature beautiful harmonies from the "Three Bees": Birdlace, Boland, and Bernstein (played by Aidan Cutler), an audience favourite being Hey Good Lookin', a memorable tune and a great comical scene. The entire production is well punctuated with humour and occasionally ventures into political ground.

The show is expertly staged, with Direction from Adam Lacey. Though the Arena's stage is vast and deep the players maximise the use of all corners, filling the auditorium with an abundance of energy. The finale is powerfully unnerving with bright lights exposing the brutal truth and a harsh reality. Dogfight The Musical is an emotional roller-coaster and a ride not to be missed.