Review: Project Walter (Bridewell Theatre)

I was invited to review the premier of Project: Walter, and the information I was sent about the show gripped me instantly, so it was an exciting journey to Bridewell Theatre for this event.  I had a feeling that it was going to be a fun evening, but I really did not know what to expect from the show. I just had a sense it was going to be something quite different.

On entering the auditorium, a pre-show was already in motion, characters with torches in haze seemingly searching for something or someone… with some really interesting sound effects as well. Watching this scene-setting was a great way to get in the zone for the show itself.

In brief, and probably paraphrasing badly, the show is about Walter, a ballet star who is told he’s actually an android. A sci-fi musical, but a brand new one… where would it take us?

The first thing I have to mention about the show itself – and this is a first for me – is the choreography. It was utterly spellbinding. The six members of the ensemble not only did some incredible dancing in synchronised formation, pairs, etc, including stunning lifts, but a highlight for me was their movements when they were in scenes surrounding Walter, and seemingly portraying robots themselves. These movements were incredibly expressive and convincing and those paired with the facial expressions actually gave me an anxiety-inducing flashback to the T-1000 in Terminator 2 at one point. I could have sat and watched one particular scene all night. This ensemble are fantastic, making everything they did – and there was a lot of ensemble activity on this stage – look completely effortless.

One thing that is easy to say is the whole cast is phenomenal (10/10 to the casting by Benjamin Dwyer) and bounce off each other well.  Walter (Harrison Vaughan) and Blue (Kate Stevenson) have undeniable chemistry in their roles, not only when things are going smoothly between them but perhaps even more so when they are clashing.  Poor Walter spends a lot of the show in a heightened sense of stress which rubs off nicely on the audience as well.

Fergus Dale as Noah was an absolutely incredible villain in this show. That’s the only way to describe this character really, with absolutely no redeeming qualities, sinister and captivating at the same time, the stage presence was electric but particularly in the second half, the vocals were a joy to listen to and Noah happily had a number of songs to delight us with.

Not so for Wescott (Jill Davy), who I felt was sadly underused in this role, but having said that it really had to be that way as the single solo and one-to-one time with Walter in the second half then added an absolutely huge punch. This scene really stuck with me, and I felt the writing was very clever here.

During the interval I read some information that made my heart sing, an account by writer Filip Holacky detailing the process of the creation of this musical and the ongoing development of it.  The writer part of me adored not only this insight but also the knowledge that even the writer questioned the “completely bonkers idea about a robot doing ballet” as he wrestled the story into shape. It also gives me hope that the rest of what I have written will be taken in the spirit it is intended.

During the first half in particular, flashbacks were used, and at times I was slightly confused about what was intended to be present and what was past. It would be good to have more of a distinction between past and present either by use of sound or lighting, as I am not sure every musical audience member wants to feel confusion to this level.

As I mentioned the dancing and movement earlier it may come as a surprise that I felt the pair of dancers coming on stage half way through Walter and Blue’s duet in the first half was slightly distracting. I was completely caught up in the duet and then suddenly, and without my consent, wasn’t… personally I feel Walter and Blue needed some alone time at that point, to enable the audience to focus on them entirely.

There were some technology issues during the performance I saw, sound issues with one faulty mic, sadly this being Fergus Dale’s. When the mic was functioning properly his voice was a delight to listen to.  Even without it you could hear this really strong vocal performance – but I am not sure those at the back would have heard every word. There were also some very slight timing issues with sound and lighting during one scene in the second half and when something is THAT close to perfection a tiny anomaly is sometimes more annoying than a huge one.  There were a couple of other minor sound issues I noticed but I will leave it at that here.

All the above said, I do want to compliment the lighting (Tom Sadler) and sound (Harry Carnaby) though as both were 98% perfect and with a couple of small tweaks could be 100% so.

So what do we have here, in summary?

A leading man who could easily set young hearts alight.

A leading lady who you empathise with and hope will end up happy.

A villain who is so bad he’s outrageously good.  (I do love a good villain).

A knock-out reveal and solo which takes your breath away.

A cast full of incredibly talented people.

Gorgeous music & songs.

Finally, a whole load of twists and turns along the way. (I adore a twist I don’t foresee).

This show is one I have not stopped thinking about since I left the theatre, entirely in a good way.  I wanted to be able to give it an entirely positive review and I honestly hope to be able to do so in future because from what I read during the interval, I know this is not going to be the end of this show.  I feel like it will rise up again (just like the T-1000), and entirely wow audiences in future – and I for one want to be sitting in one of those audiences, watching again.

⭐⭐⭐1/2 for now, but a world of potential for more.

Project: Walter is showing at Bridewell Theatre until 7 October.

If you would like to see my curtain call photographs from this and other shows, please visit my Instagram.

I was gifted a ticket for this show in exchange for an honest review.