Seven brides for seven brothers

All singing, all dancing B&Bs

SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS
Theatre Royal, Haymarket, London

This well-known musical, which was made into a much-loved film of the 1950s, has now come to the London stage. It tells how six out of seven brothers from the pioneering days in Oregon, abducted six young women, but this is no story of rape and pillage.

It is, in fact, surprisingly modest and pro-marriage, rejoicing in ‘old fashioned’ values of service, self-control and gallantry. As the yarn unfolds, the male lead is taken on a journey from a rather chauvinistic view of women to a humble complementarianism full of tenderness.

Besides the classic tunes — ‘Bless your beautiful hide’, ‘Going courting’, ‘Spring, Spring, Spring’, etc. — and some spectacular choreography, the whole tale is reassuringly heterosexual, and is conducted within the framework of a Christian — even Protestant worldview. The mainly young London cast produce a highly professional and above all very enthusiastic performance. The stage run is set to continue until November. It is a highly recommended piece of fun. An afternoon matinee for the family might even be a step along the road of raising manly boys and feminine girls.

John Benton

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Seven brides for seven brothers

All singing, all dancing B&Bs

John Benton

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