Bad Boy Johnny finds fame at The Grove
Latest Steinman rock spectacle makes new fans at the venue.
SHOWMAN Steve Steinman is going to hell in a handcart for the wickedly devilish portrayal of The Pope in his latest rock extravaganza Bad Boy Johnny and the Prophets of Doom.
If Jerry Springer incurred the wrath of Christians then this Bad Boy, which made a one-night stop at The Grove before touring nation-wide, will outrage the Catholics.
When it opened in London in 1994 the controversial musical, written by Daniel Abineri, was picketed by a superfluity of nuns and some of the national press corps. It lasted just ten shows.
That's a bit of an over-reaction I'd say. The world seems to have lost its sense of humour. What if the pontiff gets the gig by entering Pope Idol? What if he looks like a tangoed Danny DeVito in an Elvis cast-off and Gary Glitter's old six-inch lurex platforms?
This is a morality tale about exploitation, the fickle world of pop and the desire for fame and fortune.
The original cast, back in its home country of Australia featured a very young and fresh-faced Russell Crowe in the lead part and I don't think Henry Bird would be averse to carving out a similarly lucrative career.
Birdy is well known in Steinman's stable of young and upcoming talent. Lead guitarist in the producer's Bat tours and Vampire's Rock show he's already got a female fan-base fantasising about the long hair, cute face, and preponderance for appearing topless.
Now he's been let out of the cage to be the lead in his own musical – if only the super-ego of producer and performer Steve Steinman can be contained.
Johnny is a talented young singer from the wrong side of the tracks with a prostitute for a mum who falls under the Svengali-like influence of sleazy parish priest called Father MacLean (played with conviction and much lip-smacking relish by Steinman).
When MacLean isn't breaking every cardinal sin in the book he is exploiting his young protg, eventually landing him a slot in the search to find a new leader of the Catholic Church in a tacky TV show called Pope Idol.
The writer calls it a morality tale, others have branded it blasphemous, but there's no denying its attraction. The award-winning libretto is witty and busting with black humour while the score, also courtesy of Abineri, features some stand-out songs.
Its one fault is that Steinman, just like in Vampires Rock, can't stay in character, he's too much of a performer and he loves to dominate the show. Instead of a well-disciplined, well acted rock musical you're left with a lot of great music loosely connected to something of a story.
That said, he makes a great over-the-top bad guy.
Birdy is no great thespian, he can't stop smirking long enough to give his character any great depth, but what he lacks as an actor he makes up with charm, which he has by the bucket-load, and an incredible voice.
At some point in the near future he needs to make a hard decision on what he wants – a successful career in rock music or one in musical theatre because he'll never success while straddling both genres.
Johnny's wayward mum is called Mary – just to add to the religious controversy. Dawn Spence didn't have that many scenes but she had an unholy voice that found lots of fans in the audience.
The Prophets of Doom, Johnny's backing band, were suitably surly and looked like they wanted to be elsewhere, but what Jordan, Ben, Arthur and Nikki lost in charisma they made up for with musical talent.
Steinman loves to give the crowd what they want and his shows are kitsch and saucy, packed with high octane power songs, skimpy costumes, suggestive gestures, pyrotechnics and noise. Boring they ain't.
Next up he's back with a full orchestra in Bat Out of Hell:The Symphony at The Grove on June 26. Get your tickets now because it's sure to be a sell-out.
For tickets call the box office 01582 602080 or go on-line www.grovetheatre.co.uk
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