Son of a Preacher Man, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury - review

The director, one of the judges from Strictly Come Dancing, Craig Revel Horwood, believes that the ground rule of creating a musical is that you should not have to stop for a song and then pick the story back up again.

In Son of a Preacher Man, the songs are stories in themselves and can stand alone, pushing the story forward.

He says that it is really important that you find out about the characters through the lyrics. Hats off to him for a stunningly choreographed performance.

Dusty Springfield was a soulful performer, releasing her string of hit singles in the swinging 1960s, although the younger members of the audience (only a few) will remember when she joined the Pet Shop Boys in the 1980s.

The show opened with her debut single as a solo artist in 1963 ‘I Only Want to Be With You.’ The musicians truly excelled and the performers were multi skilled, some combining singing, dancing, acting and playing a musical instrument.

The show was based on Dusty Springfield's music, as three characters went on a journey to find the owner of a record shop who was called the Preacher Man who shaped each of their lives.

But they find the record shop is now The Double Shot cafe run by the son of the owner of the record shop - the Son of a Preacher Man.

Michelle Gayle, who played Alison, particularly stood out with a wonderful voice, after performing in Eastenders for four years, she signed a record deal, selling more than a million records. Nigel Richards, the dark horse who played Simon, also sang really well.

The second half really seemed to pick up tempo and engaged the audience, but it was the finale medley that really got the audience clapping along and this quickly excelled to a standing ovation from almost the entire house.

By Ella Reynolds