REVIEW: KATS gets standing ovation for Our House - two remaining shows are sold out

Who knew that the songs of Madness, the ska and pop band who hit their peak in the 80s, could be transformed into such a funny and sensitive musical that earned the team a standing ovation? 

Our House draws the songs of Madness, including the most famous Baggy Trousers, Our House and House of Fun, alongside Driving in My Car, My Girl and Wings of a Dove to follow Camden lad Joe Casey (Tilly Rigby) as one decision on his 16th birthday splits his reality between the ‘right path’ and the ‘wrong path’. 

Joe Casey (Tilly Rigby) and Sarah (Amelie Barratt) - credit KATS Kingsbridge 

We then follow both 'good' and 'bad' Joe as he wrestles with the criminal elements in his area, getting his girlfriend Sarah (Amelie Barratt) back and trying to stay true to himself. 

Tilly Rigby is inspiring as Joe Casey, both his good and his bad side, and thrived in a role that not only needed her to pull off ‘cheeky Camden lad’, which she did at every step of the way, but also took some really impressive costume changes. 

She managed to give Joe both the swagger and the sensitivity he needed throughout the performance, and was mesmerising from beginning to end. Tilly is currently pursuing her own career in music and you should remember her name, because she’s on the path to big things. 

Amelie Barratt plays Joe’s girlfriend Sarah, the character trying to keep his spirit on the right path, but always being drawn back to her high-school sweetheart, no matter how annoyed she gets with him. The second half of the play is where Amelie really shows off her exceptional singing voice, with a hauntingly beautiful rendition of NW5 and It Must Be Love. 

Emmo (Brynn Walsh), Joe Casey (Tilly Rigby) and Lewis (Oliver Van Es) created the comedic brightness - credit KATS Kingsbridge 

Joe is accompanied on both his journeys by his two friends Emmo (Brynn Walsh) and Lewis (Oliver Van Es) who provide the bulk of the comedy and one liners in the performance, both of whom pull it off naturally and hilariously. The choreographed drunk scene in itself requires a mention, as does the whole singing condom escapade and Emmo’s love of REALLY BIG CARS. 

Sarah also has back-up in her life, with her friends Billie (Dina White) and Angie (Amelia Ambrose), who alongside sharing a disgust towards Joe as an ‘embarrassment’, support Sarah’s dream of going to University to study law. Both actors have nailed teenage girl revulsion and sass and play their parts excellently. 

Olly Simmonds was everywhere in the ensemble and in the school scenes, with a brilliant stage presence and then topped it off by transforming into Joe's rival Callum, with a particularly convincing Scottish accent (apologies to any actual Scots speakers if this is inaccurate, but it sounded great to me!) 

Sarah (Amelie Barratt), Billie (Dina White) and Angie (Amelia Ambrose) - credit KATS Kingsbridge 

Two new members James Shepherd and Phil Baker have really made an impact on the stage in Our House.  James took on what felt like about 12 different roles, but namely he brought Mr Pressman, the sleazy, devious property developer to life; who he really managed to make the audience hate with his natural acting and singing abilities. 

Olly Simmonds, Phil Baker, James Shepherd, Tanya Bakcsi and Amanda Lee - the whole cast were excellent - credit KATS Kingsbridge 

Phil Baker became Reecey, the dodgy-dealing, get-rich-quick character who sucks Joe into the criminal underbelly of Camden and is an almost constant temptation on Joe’s shoulder. Phil managed to toe the line between lovable rogue and hardened criminal as the show continues - making Reecey a true 3D character.

Joe’s parents are played by KATS favourites Wayne Kenny and Sally Feetenby, and while his dad is technically dead for 90% of the show, he makes a real impact, watching his son follow him down a path of criminality and shame. Both Wayne and Sally give very emotional, poignant performances as parents feeling like they are losing their only child. 

Wayne Kenny and Sally Feetenby were both excellent - credit KATS Kingsbridge 

With this younger cast, KATS stalwarts are spotted in the ensemble or as smaller characters, but always give their all to the roles and truly bring their characters to life. You could tell they were having the time of their lives on stage, and that made the audience love it even more. 

As always, the KATS team blows the audience away, with not only performances, but incredible set design (Karen Sandy-Higham) and complex choreography (Carey Ryan-Carter). The use of door frames in setting scenes in Our House was nothing short of genius, and the large team working behind the curtains are all to be celebrated for their commitment to the show and the visuals. 

Music was especially important to Our House, with Kathy Kenny as Musical Director creating a real nostalgia from the talented orchestra, and every time a new song came on you remembered hearing it a hundred times before, but never quite like this. 

As ever, the KATS team have blown it out of the water, and I never fail to be beyond impressed by the amount of sheer talent we can muster from such a small area in deepest Devon. You never knew your friend, your boss or the person you pass on the street can act like Meryl Streep or sing like Suggs! 

I would love to say that if you haven’t got your tickets already, there is still time, but both tonight and tomorrow’s shows are both sold out - you can join a waiting list via https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/kingsbridge-amateur-theatrical-society but I wouldn’t hold out too much hope - no one is going to miss this.