Smokey Joes Cafe...Weekly News Review...by Michael Gray

The set oozes style, a fantastic Fifties diner with a juke box, two trash cans, and the band at the back, under the neon sign of Smokey Joe's.

Jeremy Tustin's sure-footed production of this unique show did not disappoint. Number after number leapt to life on this tiny stage – Young Blood, Searchin', Fools Fall in Love, this last faultlessly delivered by Constance Lawton, and poignantly reprised in Act Two. Jessica Broad gave several memorable performances, including two masterclasses: teaching Bart Lambert to Shimmy and Rhiannon Heap how to be evil.

Rhiannon was powerful in Don Juan, and Bart delivered a knockout Jailhouse Rock.

Joe Toland, who spent much of the show on the floor, used his gift for comedy in Shopping for Clothes, and D W Washburn, but he also shone in the oft-recorded I Who Have Nothing, shaping the emotions of the song with sensitivity.

But this was very much a company show. The raw energy of Rock & Roll, the multi-tasking girls in I'm A Woman, the wide-eyed innocents in Little Egypt, the constant interaction in Loving You [ably fronted by Sam Pridige], Sam Toland and everyone in the finale Stand By Me. The dancing was sharp and amusing, stopping just short of pastiche. The diction was excellent [we were hearing some of these lyrics clearly for the first time ever !]. A couple of weeks ago, back at Meteor Way, I was impressed with the style of the production, and if I'm honest, the unamplified voices with just the piano had a simple charm slightly lost in the glitz and gloss of the Cramphorn and its powerful sound system. The MD was Bryan Cass, his five-piece band featuring Rob Downing's evocative sax.

Young Gen are celebrating 40 years on stage, and what better show than this superbly performed feast of affectionately parodied musical nostalgia. “Just thought I'd take one more look / And recall when we were all / In the neighborhood ..”

Letter from a member of the public published in the Essex Chronicle.

My boyfriend and I recently moved to Chelmsford and bought a flat opposite the civic theatre. As a consequence we often go over to see what shows are coming on. A few months ago I took my nan to see The Railway Children performed by Young-Gen, a local youth group. My Nan loved it but it was not really our taste as it was very old fashioned and a bit dull. This week however me and my partner were walking past the theatre when we heard the sound of rock and roll music-there were a whole group of musicians and teenagers in the Cramphorn Theatre. A woman came out and gave us a flyer, it was for Smokey Joes Cafe. To be honest I had not heard of the show and after The Railway Children I was unsure whether to bother but inspired by the music we booked a couple of tickets for Monday and all I can say is what a difference-the show was absolutely brilliant, the performers were amazing,the music fantastic and as for the dancing, I was tired watching them. The whole theatre was alive with the sounds of the 1950s and the most amazing thing was although it was set way back, the show had a really modern feel to it. I can highly recommend it and I think that my Nan would even enjoy it. I am looking forward to seeing what they do with their next show, 42nd Street because if the dancing in this one is anything to go by, that will be even more amazing.