Review: NINE The Musical, IN Concert, at Lowry

Source: Hope Mill Theatre (@hopemilltheatre) • Instagram photos and videos

If you were a theatre, how would you celebrate your Ninth birthday...? Put on a two performance only concert of a musical who's name shares the age you will soon be? Sure, why not!

Fast forward to February, and that is exactly what Hope Mill. Following on from their production of Gypsy last year, this year, they put on the musical Nine. 

Nine is based on Italian film 8 1/2, directed by famous Italian director Frederico Fellini, adapted by Arthur Kopit and Maurey Yeston. It won Best Musical and Best Score at the Tonys in 1982. Following that, Nine became a film in 2009, directed by Rob Marshall. Still it is not the most well known musical. Personally, it is one that I have heard of and there is a song or two I know about shall we say, but didn't know anything particular about it. 

Nine follows renowned Italian director Guido Contini, fast approaching a mid life crisis, and with a professional and personal life hurtling towards disaster. Looking for answers to save both, he turns to the many women in his life: his wife, mistress, muse and mother. Both parts of his life however begin to merge, fast tracking him to disaster. 

Doing a musical like Nine in concert really allows the story and the music to be on full display

Being in concert definitely worked in Nine's favour. The book is deep and meaty, allowing the cast to sink their teeth into their characters. And you didn't miss things such as big set pieces and loads of props. It didn't need them; the music and book spoke for themselves. 

The music may not be the most memorable; bar Unusual Way and Be Italian, there may not be a hummer, but every single song told a story, told us about a character in one way or another. Each named character also had their own chance to shine, just like a piece such as Les Mis. And they sounded incredible played by a 24 piece orchestra. 

Source: Hope Mill Theatre (@hopemilltheatre) • Instagram photos and videos

It helps too that they brought out a stacked cast to this production

Leading this insane company, is the one and only Ramin Karimloo as Guido. (Excuse me a moment while I almsot swoon) I have wanted to see Karimloo for years, ever since I fell in love with his voice watching the 25th Anniversary Phantom. 

Guido is apparently a role he has wanted to play for a long time, and I can see why. Vocally it fitted him perfectly, smooth with a lot of depth in there. Where Karimloo really shines is in scenes of anguish, and those moments when the threads are unravelling. You could feel the stress in his voice. 

Guido, as well as charismatic, is a very complicated character; Karimloo struck that balance well of wanting the audience to root for him, but also not shying away from the fact he is not in any way perfect, and that he makes a lot of mistakes. 

Interestingly, Guido (and his younger self played by a stunning Joel Tennant), is the only male character in the entire show. 

Every other named character, and all of the ensemble are female identifying characters, and they brought in some of the biggest leading ladies in musical theatre. 

Source: Hope Mill Theatre (@hopemilltheatre) • Instagram photos and videos

Among the legendary Ruthie Henshall (Passion), are Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, Zizi Strallen (Cake: The Marie Antoinette Playlist), Melissa James (Moulin Rouge), Danielle Steers, Josefina Gabrielle and Amber Davies (9 to 5) - talk about a buff team!

Like I said, every single one of them has their moment. Every single one of these ladies nails it. But there was two that I wanted to particularly to mention as I have never seen either of them in live before, despite admiring them for years (half of it being for them both being true altos and championing the lower female voice). 

Victoria Hamilton-Barritt played Luisa, Guido's wife, who is on the last leg in trying to save their marriage. She showed every single emotion you can think a frustrated wife could show. Her song My Husband Makes Movies was so moving. You could see every bit of pain on her face. I am so happy I could see her knock her socks off. Today, she was announced as the next Persephone in Hadestown - she's going to nail it! 

Source: Hope Mill Theatre (@hopemilltheatre) • Instagram photos and videos

The second one, surprise surprise, is Danielle Steers. I have loved her voice for years; it's like a rich brownie covered in chocolate sauce. Her part, the prostitute Sarraghina, was only small, but she got Nine's most well known song, Ti Voglio Bene/Be Italian. Let me tell you, she was magnetic. Even amidst the dancers and tambourines, every eye was on her. I am so happy I have finally seen her perform live. 

Nine was an amazing way to kick off my 2025 

There were only two things that I can say on the, well not bad, but disappointing front for me: one was, being right at the top, I couldn't see the screen at the back of the stage. It didn't take much away from Nine itself, as I could still see every single actor on stage, but I am of the believer that everything should be seen by every audience member. The other thing was that by the time I got to Lowry, all the programmes had gone. That made me sad. 

Nevertheless, I was so happy I was able to support both Lowry and Hope Mill with this concert, particularly because I wasn't able to see Gypsy last year. Happy Birthday Hope Mill.