Review: David Copperfield at Chesterfield's Pomegranate Theatre

David Copperfield set to music may not curry favour with the purists but there are catchy songs which could well become classics.

This week’s show at Chesterfield’s Pomegranate Theatre gets off to a lively start with Something Will Turn Up, sung by talented Steve Coghlan as impoverished Mr Micawber and Chesterfield’s own Callie Egan as his long-suffering wife.

Jonathan Stevens, playing the adolescent David, is a West End star in the making if his signature song Right Here And Now is anything to go by.

Julie Davitt brings a big voice and personality to the diminutive Aunt Betsey, enthralling the audience with her solo I Wanted A Girl.

Betsey’s companion Mr Dick is played by Sam Skett whose voice soars to great heights in Flying a Kite, a scene in which Mary Poppins springs to mind as beautifully dressed dancers twirl around behind him holding strings decorated with bows.

The cast is headed by Peter Brindle in the role of David Copperfield the novelist whose rich baritone voice is only heard at the end of the show, reprising Right Here And Now.

Composed, produced and directed by Anne Dalton, who brought Our Benny to the Pomegranate two years ago, David Copperfield is a tad on the lengthy side and at times saccharine sweet.

That said, it does give a golden opportunity for the area’s youngsters to perform alongside the professionals which ensures sizeable audiences of proud families.

The performance last night (Thursday) wasn’t without its gremline. There was feedback in one of the scenes towards the end, noisy scene changes behind the curtain and am occasional voice coming from backstage.

David Copperfield runs at the Pomegranate until Saturday, April 9.