Blow, don't suck

What a joyful surprise the brand new show Mile High turned out to be last night!

Madam Arcati, Russ, Joe, Paul and I crossed town to the unusual and bijou LOST Theatre near Vauxhall - our first time at this off-off-off-West End venue - tempted by the prospect of a comic musical about trolly-dollies (especially as Joe is one), and an evening of campness. We weren't disappointed.

The blurb alone is enticing:

"...come on an emotional journey with Chief Flight Attendant ‘Richi’ Richenda as she attempts to 'supersede the limitations that stereotyping has put on the roles of women in the aviation industry' while fighting off all the men in her life!

Will she succeed in her desire to become a pilot, or will she be distracted by the charms of the suave Captain Fantastico? And will her slightly-buff colleague Taylor succeed in his bet to make Icarus Royal Airlines [unfortunate in its acronym "IRA"] Small Mediterranean Airline of the Year, whilst getting off with Super-Trolly-Dolly Clinton from Fantasy Airways into the bargain?"

It was even funnier than that description - the intertwining (and intentionally ludicrous) sub-plots involving Richi's unfortunate attempt at being a pilot (shades of Airport), the bitchy rivalry between trolly-dolly teams, the mystery of the identity of Richi's father (deliberate nod to Mamma Mia there, methinks), the dangers of having a Greek mother-in-law, and even Kylie's gold shorts(!) all coming together in a traditional happy denouement (panto-style).

And that is the secret, I think, of why it worked so well - Mile High is, to all intents and purposes, a traditional pantomime, albeit with a modern twist. It has its moments of villainy (boo!), pathos (aww!) and romance (ooo!). It has mistaken identities, unbelievable coincidences, in-jokes, audience interaction (the flight safety demonstration next to our seats) and innuendo - and even a (albeit in this cast, female) dame!

The cast was marvellous - the two leads Ritchi (Jessica Sherman) and Taylor (Ralph Bogard) have excellent voices; the vampish plastic surgery-addicted Maroulla (Cristina Dohmen) was superb; the ultra-cute boys, Clinton (Alex Beaumont) and Zee (Tom Norman) in particular, made our eyes pop out on stalks; and Anne Smith as the Greek Mama was a true diva. The songs were great. The entire ensemble sang, danced and camped it up perfectly.

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, despite the abysmal sound quality in this lecture-room-style auditorium - and I think, with a little fine-tuning, it could go places.

Mile High is on at the LOST Theatre until 24th March 2013 - catch it if you can!

Here are early try-out versions of two songs from the show...

Mile High ("BA Bride") musical

Mile High ("BA Bride") - Greek Mamma Mia

Mile High Musical website