IT has been 12 years since the musical adaptation of The Witches of Eastwick, a show spawned by the 1987 film that followed hot on the heels of the publication of John Updike’s novel in 1984, was released for amateur performance. Now it arrives on stage in Milborne Port, providing a very different show for the local opera company.

When the Updike book came out, and a film was mooted, it must have seemed that the then 50 year old Jack Nicholson was the maquette for the role of Darryl van Horn, the “horny little devil” who had moved out of New York City into the picket-fence-and-whispering-neighbours community of Eastwick. It’s an almost impossible act to follow.

The story has been gently massaged to keep in tune with the times, bringing the determination of the three “witches” – Alex, Jane and Sukie – to the fore. In the Milborne Port production, director Karen Pankhurst plays cellist Jane, with Sukie Read as sculptor Alex and Esmee Roach as writer Sukie. This powerful trio is matched by Rachel Milestone-McAdorey’s hatchet-faced Felicia Gabriel, the town busybody who gets her ghastly come-uppance. It’s hard not to feel these four steal the show.

Of course the catalyst is the demonic Darryl (played here by Lloyd Davies, who put in such a terrific performance in the 2024 MPO Drowsy Chaperone). He’s a mysteriously sexy, foul-mouthed seducer whose crusade seems to be to unlock the power of women – but is actually, as his Who’s the Man number proves, driven only by overweening self interest. I found myself wondering if comb-over yellow wig and orange make up might have been more appropriate.

This show really captures small-town America, and the Milborne Port company rose to the challenge, creating a believable community surrounding the van Horn shenanigans. Sam Kelly was a gawkily charming Michael Spofford, with Martin Porter as Felicia’s cowedly adulterous husband and Lucy Bennett as the unfortunate Gabriel child.

It’s a fun show, with lots of tuneful songs, and the musical side of the production was once again in the capable hands of Caroline D’Cruz, leading the orchestra through hitherto uncharted waters in great style.

The packed Village Hall audience obviously enjoyed watching their friends and neighbours being naughty but nice on stage, and Karen Pankhurst’s clever and energetic direction matched her performance. The witches’ trio songs were the highlight of an enjoyable show.

GP-W