Birmingham Alexandra Stage Experience Bring It On - The Musical Review

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Thu 17 Aug 2023 - Sat 19 Aug 2023

Birmingham Alexandra’s Stage Experience is back for the 18th production and this year they’ve chosen the tale of cheerleading rivalry and friendship Bring It On - The Musical. The two-week summer school aims to give young people aged nine to 24 an opportunity to experience the fun and frustrations of staging a full-scale live show - and Bring It On is a perfect choice for this. With a story that focuses on teenage issues and plenty of high-impact ensemble pieces but also the opportunity for various lead roles and cameos, it’s a super-octane musical almost designed for Stage Experience.



With stunning choreography including jumps, lifts and some impressive acrobatics, the show is so packed full of energy it’s both exhausting but also exhilarating to watch. These young people are so enthusiastic and clearly enjoying their moments on stage that you can’t help but be carried away by their passion.

And there is plenty of talent and confidence on show from the lead roles. Laura Bryan, who was also in Stage Experience’s Fame last year, is Campbell, the super-popular captain of the cheerleading team who is suddenly forced to change schools. Stripped of her prestige and allies, she has to negotiate a new environment and make new friends – while also creating a cheerleading team who can take on the best.

Brittany Jarman-Watson as Danielle, her nemesis at the new school, is sassy and bold but with a soft underside which gradually emerges as the tale unfolds. Eden Wedgbrow plays Bridget, the girl forced to be the team mascot, but when she also moves schools, her new friends give her the chance to shine and a whole new Bridget appears.

There are some great characters also created by Bessy Hingley as the devious Eva, Freddie Holt as the seemingly soppy Steven and Alexia Mouzakitis as the egocentric Skylar.



But what comes through from this show above all else is very much the team effort, all these young people pulling together to ensure it will be not only all right on the night, but it will be a shining performance. Under the watchful eye of an adult team including director and choreographer Pollyann Tanner and producers Hannah Whitfield and Victoria Ellery-Jones the young people have built up stagecraft and assurance.

The only problem with the performance on press night was the sound quality which meant both spoken and sung word was often hard to decipher.

Stage Experience Bring It On - The Musical is performed until 19 August, see here for more information and tickets.

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