As a child of the 60s, I was excited this week to join the audience at Hull New Theatre for The Osmonds, A New Musical.
The audience, on the whole, consisted of ladies of a certain age (mentally we are all still 21!) who had been Osmonds fans in the 70s and were looking forward to reliving some familiar sounds.
The show is the Osmond family story about how the boys got a break into show business via Walt Disney and later the Andy Williams Show. It is narrated by the actor playing Jay and starts when the band consisted of just four boys; Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay.
On came the cutest four young boys, all in matching red jackets and cream trousers with slicked back hair. Wow! Their harmonising was beautiful and they stole our hearts. Later they were joined by a young Donny who was super cute. I have to say these youngsters stole the first half. Their ‘older’ selves though appealed more for their sex appeal than their ‘cuteness’ as young boys.
The 70s were dominated by two all boy bands – The Osmonds and The Jackson 5. Both families were dominated by the family patriarch who ruled the boys with a rod of iron. They were like mini soldiers with the discipline.
At times this patriarchal discipline was uncomfortable and these days would have attracted social services. Although, in a way, this discipline ‘made’ the boys. It was so sad to see how Merrill wanted to leave the band to get married but was unable to as his father wouldn’t let him. Merrill clearly suffered from depression and it was heart wrenching to see his turmoil. Narrator Jay comments that he never noticed it.
Family trials and tribulations notwithstanding, we got a fantastic evening of 60’s and 70’s music and saw the boys progress from Barber Shop songs to Rock n Roll with Crazy Horses. They had many of the audience members swaying and arm waving to the music, highlights included Love Me For a Reason, Puppy Love, and One Bad Apple. Young Jimmy of Long Haired Lover from Liverpool fame and the only sister amongst these 8 boys (2 were not singers due to deafness) Marie, who I have to say had a fabulous voice.
The second act was heart breaking when the family almost went bankrupt. Being a God fearing family, they were determined to pay ALL of the creditors and after two years on tour managed to achieve this. By this point the Osmonds broke up the band and went their own way.
The show ended with a reunion 20+ years later which had us all on our feet, singing and clapping along.
If you want a good night out, listening to songs of your youth, or, you are younger (which some audience members were) and are curious about the story and music then get along to the theatre. The music is great, catchy, and some covered by other singers over the years. Everyone left the theatre saying how good the show was and how much they had enjoyed it so get down to Hull New Theatre and see for yourself!
The Osmonds: A New Musical is running at Hull New Theatre until Saturday 22 October. For more information and ticket booking, please visit their website here >>
