Seven Brides for Seven Brothers review from 2006

Genre: Musical
Opened 16 Aug 2006
Written: Book by David Landay, music by Gene De Paul and lyrics by Johnny Mercer.
Directed: Maurice Lane
Produced: UK Productions Ltd
Cast: Dave Willetts (Adam) & Shona Lindsay (Milly)
Synopsis: Featuring classic songs including:- 'Bless your Beautiful Hide' 'Wonderful Wonderful Day' 'Goin' Courtin' 'Sobbin' Women' 'Lonesome Polecat' 'Spring, Spring, Spring' 'Love Never Goes Away' 'We Gotta Make It Through the Winter' . Set in Oregon in 1850 Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is the story of Adam, the eldest of seven brothers, who goes to town to get a wife. He convinces Milly to marry him that same day. They return to his backwoods home. Only then does she discover he has six brothers - all living in his cabin. Milly sets out to reform the uncouth siblings, who are anxious to get wives of their own. Then, after reading about the Roman capture of the Sabine women, Adam develops an inspired solution to his brothers' loneliness... kidnap the women they want!

What the critics had to say.....
CHARLES SPENCER for THE DAILY TELEGRAPH says, "The best one can say of the dancing is that the company perform with spirited energy. Unfortunately, Adrian Allsop's choreography, though virile and athletic, has none of the inventive wit of Michael Kidd's original routines, while the fight sequences are downright pathetic...woefully drab and unimaginative production" KIERON QUIRKE for THE EVENING STANDARD says, "Devitalised revival...Dave Willetts' Adam and Shona Lindsay's Milly show teeth and sing well but there's zilch chemistry there." BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE for THE TIMES says, "It's good-natured, boasts the jaunty and pretty score that won an Oscar. At the Haymarket it offers plenty of energetic, athletic ballet...The acting...has an over-the-top swagger about it." ALISTAIR SMITH for THE STAGE says, "The acting is fine, the choreography energetic but the production values are really not up to the required standards." MICHAEL BILLINGTON for THE GUARDIAN says, "The show rarely rises above an honest competence. Dave Willetts as Adam looks suitably gruff and surly, but the character is an unlikeable stiff."

External links to full reviews from popular press
The Guardian
The Times
Daily Telegraph