'Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark' at Foxwoods Theatre

Thursday night so it must be time for 'Spider-Man' at the surprisingly large Foxwoods Theatre. Now, like everyone else, I've heard that there are problems with the show but, in a way, that's what made me want to see it – see the original production before it changes too much. Something made the rest of the sold out audience want to see it as well, and I suspect it was ole Spidey himself judging from the pre-show comic book discussions going on everywhere and the smell of bubblegum in the air.

To say the show is spectacular is an understatement. Something changes on the stage every few minutes, props lowered from the ceiling or parts of the stage rising, the hydraulics must cost a fortune and its carbon footprint must be huge. But it's well worth seeing.

The first half is Spidey's origin tale and the second half is some nonsense about Arachne turning off all the power in the world and the Internet – and I do mean nonsense. There's a group of geeks acting as a Geek Chorus (yes, that's what they're called) who are designing the ultimate Spidey comic and they take us through the first half, coming on inbetween the action to set up the next action sequence. The second half has no such mechanics, but builds on the theme of Arachne who was turned into a spider by Athena several millenia ago and has decided to create her perfect consort – cue Spidey. The second half doesn't work at all really, but the action is superb.

The music is famously written by Bono and The Edge and you know that as soon as the music starts – it's clearly U2 and, clearly, the music is important since there are two guitarists at the side of the stage throughout. I quite liked the up tempo songs but the slow ones did me in, as do all slow U2 songs (they never work for me). The music couldn't be by anyone else and if it was you'd know it's a rip-off. And that's part of the problem really – it's a U2 album on stage to the theme of Spidey, with no real light or shade or relief from the relentless U2-ness of the thing.

The action is excellent, with Spidey, the Green Goblin and Arachne flying around the auditorium on a complex system of wires (rather thick and obvious ones, passing as Spidey's web). It was surprising that they didn't collide, but they didn't, even during the aerial fight sequence. The only trouble came in the penultimate fight sequence when the machines ground to a halt leaving Spidey and Arachne stuck on stage and unable to move for a couple of minutes. This gave parts of the audience plenty of time to cat-call and jeer, slow-clap and shout out witticisms, and then the action started again. Spidey was especially great, landing on platforms at the front or the circle (renamed the Flying Circle) and balcony with great precision (and loads of practice, no doubt).

The only actor I'd heard of in the production is Luther Creek who played Woof in 'Hair' in London and gave me beard love. I'd also seen the actor who plays Mary Jane who was in 'Next To Normal' last year, not a high recommendation but her singing voice was much better in 'Spider-Man'. The other thing worth commenting on was the sheer amount of merch on display around the theatre and available to buy in the shop – yes, the theatre has it's own merch shop. Every kind of tee shirt and top, hats, mugs and even jotters were available, everything except a soundtrack album. Judging by the crowds buying stuff, they must be raking it in – and every penny will be needed to pay for the spectacle in the auditorium.

All in all, it's not the greatest theatre but if you want a fun night out and view some spectacular stage effects, then go and see it if you can. I hear it's being re-written even as I type so who know how long this version will play.