The Queen’s Theatre’s co-production of Melvyn Bragg and Howard Goodall’s gritty and heart-warming musical The Hired Man opened to glowing reviews this week, with its Twitter feed buzzing round the clock with positive comments!
Co-produced with Hull Truck Theatre in association with Oldham Coliseum, ActDrop gave the production four stars and said ‘Fine musicality to relish here from an excellently cast and hugely impressive team, who do more than ample justice to Howard Goodall's exceptional compositions’.
East London Radio highly praised the production and said, ‘A truly emotional ride through the gritty reality of life for The Hired Men and their families around the start of 20th century in Cumbria. See it’.
Here’s what other critics have been saying:
★★★★★ ‘A West End standard production’ Musical Theatre Review
★★★★ ‘Rintoul’s impassioned production…pays artistic dividends as they play Goodall’s glorious folk-based score as if it’s pouring from their very souls’ Sunday Express
★★★★ ‘A beautiful and poignant show’ London Theatre 1
★★★★ ‘A classic musical from 1984 revived in a loveable, enjoyable and charming way’ The Thespians Blog
'A gorgeous, resonant new production…Wrenching and wonderful' Mark Shenton
'All folksy fiddles and muted trumpets, soaring arpeggios and sweet, warbling high notes' The Stage
‘Intriguing and moving’ There Ought to be Clowns
‘A true ensemble piece. Also really enjoyed Douglas Rintoul's direction’ Stage Favs
‘An amazing tug-at-the-heart musical production… It’s like having a West End show on our doorstep’ Hornchurch Life
‘A highly talented and versatile ensemble’ Broadwaybaby
‘The songs range from rousing ensemble numbers through romantic duets and tortured solos in time-honoured musical theatre fashion’ spyinthestalls
‘Gritty and powerful piece of musical theatre’ Theatre Life
‘Goodall’s score is rich and soaring, performed expertly by the cast of actor-musicians’ Mind the Blog
‘Emotional, heartfelt performances’ Romford Recorder
‘This new revival features 11 remarkably talented actor/ musicians who not only put their heart and soul into telling the story, but who also provided the “foot stomping rhythms” we were initially promised.’ Centre Stage Reviews
‘Wonderful, stirring music’ Operetta Research Centre
The Hired Man runs at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch until Saturday 18 May and then tours to Hull Truck Theatre (23 May – 15 June) and Oldham Coliseum Theatre (20 June – 6 July).
For more information and tickets call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or visit: https://queens-theatre.co.uk/whats-on/show/the-hired-man/
