Following the story of technical director Robin (Charlotte Dargan) and the crew of a mysterious show, as they work desperately to get themselves ready for opening night, Blue Workers focuses on the aspects of production that typically don’t get seen on the big stage. Written by Jonathan Powell, it is a story about the mix of personality, ambition and ego that makes up the team behind every show in Cambridge (or anywhere, really). It’s about the balance that needs to be struck between not stepping on others’ toes and maintaining some semblance of communication between crew members.

“Greig gave a standout performance as Paige, bringing fantastic energy to the role”

For a show about techies, Blue Workers had its fair share of successful Cambridge actors, which was slightly disappointing as a late show musical like this feels a great opportunity to give people who are more used to working behind the scenes a chance to experience the spotlight. Ironically, the show has a character who fits this very mould: Paige the stage manager, who dreams of one day becoming an actress herself. Georgia Greig gave a standout performance as Paige, bringing fantastic energy to the role and providing the audience with an impressive display of comic timing and brilliant singing. It’s a shame then, that the whole point of Paige’s character seems to have been lost in the production itself.

“Another such high point was Mahon Hughes’ involvement with the production, both as a performer and lighting designer”

It was slightly frustrating to see a group of people who have been highly successful as actors on the Cambridge stage make jokes about the plight of techies and how little actors understand their experiences in a way that might have benefited from just slightly more self-awareness. In fairness, though, it was gratifying to see several freshers giving brilliant performances; Jamie Ellis, who played Frankie (assistant director), pretty much stole the show with a truly beautiful and strong voice, put on display in the pub song, and an impressive all-round performance. Another such high point was Mahon Hughes’ involvement with the production, both as a performer and lighting designer. Hughes’ lighting design was fantastic and versatile, creating the perfect backdrop for a whole emotional range of songs, as well as dialogue scenes. Though confined to the sound-box for most of the show, Hughes’ voice was also a welcome addition, cutting through at various points with solid one-liners and helping to keep the show moving.

“Shows need to find some kind of niche, but they should also be able to explore that niche in a way that is accessible to an audience [...] adjacent to the production itself”

Musical highlights included the Director’s song, performed by Iona Rogan, and the song in which Robin is initiated into the Blue Workers. It was here that Powell’s lyrics were at their best, and Lily Blundell’s score had the pleasing harmonies and energy to match. While I was a huge fan of the music in the song introducing the Blue Workers, I was left slightly confused by a song that essentially sets up the show’s problem (techies refusing to work together), but didn’t quite make me feel like everyone ‘staying in their own lane’ instead of working together was necessarily a bad thing.

A love letter to ADC culture, Blue Workers has a narrow target audience, but certainly hit the bullseye with them. Unfortunately, this means that much of the show’s charm is lost on a wider audience, it’s certainly difficult to recommend it to anyone who does not already feel a firm part of the world being depicted. Of course, shows need to find some kind of niche, but they should also be able to explore that niche in a way that is accessible to an audience of more than fifteen people adjacent to the production itself.

While Blue Workers has moments of brilliance in its performances and a high production value as well as a highly promising premise, it was let down by an over-reliance on incredibly niche in-jokes and personal references that might not land in a wider audience. If you’re planning on seeing Blue Workers already then it’s likely that you’ll enjoy it as it’s probably meant for you, but for anyone not in the show’s rather specific target audience, it may well miss.

Blue Workers is on at the ADC Theatre at 11pm on the 5th and 6th of May 2022