January 1994
Region 2 - Keith Painter
MURDER AT DEEM HOUSE
Our Lady Star of the Sea A.O. & D.S. - St. Annes
May I congratulate the producer, Anne Chatterton, on her first production. A nice set with props to match - some nice entrances, especially from the garden, had been well thought out. It was nice to see a new play and a different story. Ten characters who all worked well together - from the nurses to the superintendent. A very nice evening. Well done, Anne, keep up the good work.
HALF A SIXPENCE
Preston Musical Comedy Society
This is a show for the youngsters to be in/ The part of Kipps was played excellently by Mark Kendall and he was well supported by his three friends and their ladies. He was well partnered by Victoria Ward as Ann. The outstanding numbers were Banjo, When I'm Meeting My Girl and The Party's On the House. Although it was a very cold evening this production warmed our hearts with its nice singing, dancing and good movement. A very enjoyable evening.
SWEET CHARITY
Lytham A.O.S.
Sweet Charity is a difficult show for amateur societies to tackle but to its credit, Lytham AOS made a creditable job of it. This show, more than most, depends on its leading lady. Lytham were fortunate to cast Karen Sandiford as Charity. She gave her all and succeeded in pulling off this taxing role. She was given good support by David Bradley as Oscar, Nigel Taylor as Herman and Peter Hall as Daddy Brubeck.
This show has some good numbers in it, Rhythm of Life, I Love To Cry At Weddings, If My Friends Could See Me Now, but one of the best numbers, Big Spender was disappointing.
The scenery, sets, props were to Lytham's usual standard - apart from the elevator scene. To have two stage hands dash on and manhandle it round and then back again showed a distinct lack of imagination.
The orchestra was under the baton of Nic Parker.
This was an enjoyable evening without being memorable.
PATIENCE
Manx Gilbert & Sullivan Society
This was a very nice, colourful show. The sets were simple and costumes fitted well, with an overall pleasing performance. All the principals did a good job in this production and were well backed by the chorus. All round, a beautiful show. Thank you all.
H.M.S. PINAFORE & A BIT O' THIS & A BIT O' THAT
Garstang Light Opera Group
This evening's entertainment comprised two halves. The first being a selection of songs from H.M.S. Pinafore. The principals sang well, although if the society were to give to full show, some more men would help! The second half was again well sung and danced, especially some of the choral numbers which went down very well with the audience. Altogether a nice evening out. Thank you all.
THE WINSLOW BOY
Windmill Players -Thornton Cleveleys
A famous and well-known play and this society did it justice. From the Winslow boy himself to his family and other characters, all played their parts well. A nice set of the Courtfield Gardens, South Kensington and the excellent acting of this experience society made this a very enjoyable evening.
THE BOYFRIEND
Chaddeans - Poulton-le-Fylde
Just one criticism of this show, if you are going o have an almost full orchestra please made sure your principals can be heard over them. The four young girls who opened the show could not make themselves heard which is a shame because, on the whole, this was a very good production. It is nice to see youngsters having parts and helping. Many thanks also to the producer, Andrew J. Stuart, for all his hard work. Thank you.
3 ONE ACT PLAYS
The Progress Players
This production could have been a tutorial to show all that is good and all that is bad in amateur dramatics.
The first two plays were really poor due mainly to the principals not being prepared properly and knot knowing their parts. (I exempt the people in minor roles from this criticism).
My sympathy was with the prompt who, by the end of the second play, must have wanted to lie down in a dark room - she had been so much in demand.
The third play was excellent. A seven handed piece with everyone fully rehearsed and very confident - it would be unfair to single anyone out.
The people taking part in the first two plays and who then came and sat
in the audience to watch the third play could have learned so much about
amateur dramatics - how much commitment it takes to put on a successful production.
I do hope it was not a waste of time.
(Ken Robinson)
THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS
Thornton Cleveleys Operatic Society
A very well thought out show. The first half all about Christmas was very appropriate for this time of year. The stage was all set out well - especially the two pushed-on insets.
The second half was a little different - three selections from pantomimes and a trip to Happy Ever After Land. Although it was good, it wasn't a patch on the first half. It was nice to see everybody getting a chance to shine. Thank you.
SHOWSTOPPERS '93
Blackpool & Fylde L.O.C.
Again another all round entertaining evening. Starting with That's Showbusiness a selection of songs, some dancing, a solo by Maureen Pilkington and finishing the first half with a selection of songs from the 40s.
The second half brought in the school dance band and a magician, who managed to keep us all amused despite the thunderstorm! Finally a selection from Marilyn Wilson and ending with the cowboys. Thank you to the production team and all concerned with putting on this show.
THE MAGIC FLUTE
Preston Opera - Charter Theatre
This company has two casts and this is a review of the Thursday evening performance.
Following a quite gentle opening, the opera gained a little momentum with the appearance of the three ladies. Chris Dodd as Tamino gave an accomplished performance in the lead role, and he received good support from Geoff Horton as Papageno, although, at times I thought, he played it with high camp and he did make me think of Julian Clary!
Karen Dowers, playing Pamino, sang beautifully if at times appearing to struggle against a 41 piece orchestra. There were the expected solid and reliable performances from Kevin Shepherd and William Borrow plus a nice cameo performance from Barbara Bradley as Papagena. Sadly the most disappointing role was the Queen of the Night who, despite a spectacular entrance, faded into complete oblivion due to her voice being completely lost in the volume of the orchestra.
The costumes were neat and clean and it looked like care had been taken over them. The scenery was of a high standard although I did wonder how the temple in Act I Finale had 4 columns and in the opening of Act II it had 6 - maybe Sarastro had beaten the slaves into building them!
Last week, I spent an evening at Blackpool Music Festival. Some of the production in this opera reminded me of that festival. People walked out to centre stage, sang their piece and walked off. Yes, sadly, at times, the production left a bit to be desired.
Finally I come to the orchestra under the direction of Frank Salter, a gentleman I have known for a number of years and whom I hold in the highest esteem. But from the moment Frank enters the theatre he proceeds to give a tour-de-force performance that outshines nearly everything that happens on stage. And there is my problem - I tend to find my attention drawn to the musical director.
The Magic Flute was generally well received by the audience, which, I am
pleased to note, seems to be getting bigger and better. I look forward to
the society's next production of Ernani in April and The Merry
Widow in November.
(Ken Robinson)
THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD
Marton Operatic Society
The first thing that impressed me was the excellent scenery. Set outside the Tower of London, just one set but beautifully painted. This society is fortunate to have good singers, not only taking principal roles but also in the chorus - both male and female. This year the society had a new producer, Frank Woodward, who obviously knows the show backwards. This was evidenced in the production and the enthusiasm from the players and audience alike. All the principals were excellent. Thank you all.
ALICE
Thornton Cleveleys Youth Theatre
This was a show I had not seen before and it was a good choice for the youngsters. The story of Alice in Wonderland meeting all the characters from the book. The parts of Alice, the White Rabbit, the Computers and Mad Hatter were all played well.. I could mention many more as they all worked hard. It is nice to see the younger ones getting help and encouragement from the older members of the society. This was not a long show - just enough to let the inexperienced ones get their feet on the boards. A nice show. Thank you.