Review of brilliant Betty Blue Eyes at Norwich Theatre Royal

Produced by the amateur group Norfolk and Norwich Operatic Society, Betty Blue Eyes wonderfully takes the audience on a trip to yesteryear, complete with frills and frolics from post-war Britain.

Set in the days leading to Princess Elizabeth's (later Queen Elizabeth II) marriage to Philip Mountbatten, the people of a Yorkshire town are struggling with day-to-day life as ongoing food rationing makes them feel deprived of their 'fair share'.

The ensemble cast waiting in line at the butchers for some black market delights. Picture - Richard Jarmy (Image: Richard Jarmy)

The town council has concocted a devious plan to celebrate the royal wedding in style, feasting on a beautiful - yet illegal - unlicensed pig. However, the arrival of the Gestapo-esque meat inspector Wormold and the plight of underdog protagonist Gilbert Chilvers throw this black market scheme into disarray.

From the moment the curtain was raised, the show is all-singing and all-dancing but never takes itself too seriously. Adapted from the Alan Bennett film A Private Function, Betty Blue Eyes captures the eccentricities of Little England with loving flair.

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The cast does a stellar job with the portrayal of plucky everyday folk willing to see the humour in the everyday, gloomy mundanity. From the ensemble cast to the orchestra, everyone involved played their parts so well in creating fun escapism for the audience.

Henry Allardyce (played by Joseph Betts) becomes infatuated with Betty the pig (humorously handled by puppeteer James Bell). Picture - Richard Jarmy (Image: Richard Jarmy)

Special mention goes to Will Mugford for his portrayal of downtrodden chiropodist Gilbert, Michelle Unstead for her comedic timing and powerful singing as Joyce Chilvers, and Steven Melton for his perfect rendition of a politician posing as a man of the people while using his influence to keep his status raised above all others.

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But the main delight of this production came from Alex Green in his portrayal of Inspector Wormold. Green beautifully balances the severity of a serious antagonist with the wonderful whimsy of a Little England killjoy.

Alex Green stood out for his fantastic portrayal of mean meat inspector Wormold. Picture - Richard Jarmy (Image: Richard Jarmy)

An amazing achievement by the Norwich-based performing arts group.

The curtain comes down on the show today.