January 1994
Region 6 - Michael Simpson
STEPPING OUT
Waterloo & Crosby T.G.
A good production by Wally Edwards of this popular play. Mavis, played by Elaine Connell, had good stage presence and excellent tap routines. Pamela Foy's Dorothy could have been a less simple - she is supposed to work in an office! Claudia Molyneux was excellent as Andy. Maggie Blanchard's Sylvia could have been played nearer the apron as some of her lines were missed but a pleasant performance. As the only man in the group, Peter Mercer as Geoffrey managed the role with expertise. Alison Jones played a good Vera but the most outstanding performance of the evening was Ann Dickinson as Mrs. Fraser. A brilliant exhibition of comic timing. Well done.
STEEL MAGNOLIAS
C.A.D.O.S. - Chorley
What can I say about this superb production by Wyn Tootell? The six ladies were brilliant - their accents never faltered and every ounce of humour and pathos was extracted from the script Siobhan Edge's Truvy was so funny and her little asides were perfectly times. Renee Clitheroe and Lit Ritson, as mother and daughter, were teamed so well and we were given superb insight into their relationship. Caty Cross as Clairee Belcher was an excellent, wealthy, middle-aged, southern American. Brenda Bartlett was good as Annelle, the trainee hairdresser and Oiser (Wyn Tootell) could have been made for the part. Not an easy job to perform and direct but with such talent she couldn't miss. My congratulations to all.
HELLO, DOLLY!
Birkdale Orpheus Society
A good, colourful production by Barbara Taylor. An excellent performance by Wally Edwards as Horace Vandergelder. I only wish Brenda Kendricks "Dolly" had matched it. Unfortunately, Brenda gave no warmth to the part and she did not seem comfortable singing in the higher registers - especially in So Long, Dearie.
Congratulations to Doreen Bridson as Irene Molloy - lovely, sensitive singing of Ribbons Down My Back. Joe Shaw as Cornelius was good and Paul Edge gave an excellent performance as Barnaby. There was good chorus singing throughout with Brian Hodge's excellent orchestra and slick dance routines by Ann Batchelor. The costumes were beautiful and there were good sets. A good evening's entertainment.
THE DESERT SONG
Adlington Music & Arts Society
An excellent first production by Diane Simmons. This show can so easily be dismissed as being too dated - but it has wonderful music and some good comedy routines. Clare Unsworth's Margot was good with very good singing. In spite of losing his voice there was also a good performance by Eddie Smith.
Two outstanding performances were given by David Kellie as Bennie and Sharon Morris as Susan. Their It number was superb! Carole Slater gave a lovely portrayal of Clementina and Mary Smith as Azuri was good also. The dancers were well trained by G. Pilkington. The music was provided by Ronald White and his orchestra.
This was another excellent show from this talented company.
CHARLIE GIRL
Maghull A.O.S.
This was a very good production by Neil Townsend. The cast from Maghull enjoyed themselves thoroughly and their enthusiasm was tangible. Two good performances were given by Martin Parry as Joe Studholme and Tony Adamson as Nicholas Wainwright. Lesley Smith played the tomboy Charlie well and Davida Bentham's Kay Connor was excellent. Jo Horrocks and Melanie Lawson as Lady Fiona and Lady Penelope were also good as was Mark Duffy as Jack Connor. Patricia Robertson danced and sang her part of Lady Hadwell with panache. The costumes were good and Edna Lally's orchestra played well. A very enjoyable evening.
THE DESERT SONG
St. Helens A.O.S.
We had here a first class production by Brian Podmore. There was beautiful singing by Lyn Dixon as Margot while Pierre, acted by Michael Barrett, gave us some lovely moments in this show, which seems to be enjoying a revival. Robert Corbett's singing as Ali Ben Ali, of Eastern and Western Love, was excellent. Pat Forber as Susan and Craig Halliwell as Benny were good together, although I would have preferred a portrayal of Benny to be a little less like George Formby! Azuri (Ann Connelly) and Janey McDonald as Clementina were good. The orchestra under the direction of Raymond Dobbs was very good. There were also some nice costumes. Choreography by Jean Brenda Johnson was excellent - especially in the marching numbers. A very enjoyable show.
HIGH SOCIETY
Ormskirk Pleasure Folk
It took a while for the society to settle down as this was a first time with an orchestra. Once accustomed to the orchestra the cast all gave creditable performances, especially Stephen Jones as Dexter Haven and Andy Shepheard as Mike Connor. Both found the humour in their characters and Andy's rendition of Now You Has Jazz was superb. Sharon MacRae sang and acted the part of Tracy with her usual flair and Julie Chambers as Liz gave a breathtaking performance of In the Still of the Night. There was a nice pompous performance by Rick Moss as George Kitteridge. Liza Furnivall was good as Dinah even if a little nervous at times and I liked Jane Smith's portrayal of Margaret Lord. There was good chorus work and dance routines. The orchestra was a bit loud at times, especially in the brass section.
This was a very good production of which Esther Wilson can be justly proud. Thank you for a very enjoyable evening.
AN INSPECTOR CALLS
C.A.D.O.S. - Chorley
A good production, directed by Edward Baldwin, of this classic J.B. Priestley play. The set was excellent and showed just the right amount of opulence. Arthur Birling, played by Vernon Roberts, gave a good, solid performance while Cassandra Moon as his daughter Sheila gave good characterisation. Sean Duxbury was excellent as Gerald Croft and Hilary Lowe was outstanding as the mother Sybil. Her self-righteous attitude and her belief that she had done nothing wrong gave depth and insight into the lives and thoughts of the Edwardians. John Jo`hnston's Inspector was quite sinister and he played relentlessly on the fear of the son and daughter.
Well done.
OUR DAY OUT
St. Paul's Amateur Players - Adlington
I must admit to not having seen this play with music by Willy Russell before. 16 assorted children (plus animals) deftly handled by Adrian Beer gave us an excellent evening's entertainment. Kathleen Ashworth was superb as Mrs. Kay; Bernand Rylance an exacting Mr. Briggs and Graham Cohen and Joanne Eccleshare were well partnered as Susan and Colin, the harassed junior teachers. Lovely characterisations from Alan Pearson and George Penny. All the children were excellent but I must mention Gemma Thomson, Cathryn Pilkington, Brianne Edge, Rachel Platt, Kirsty Johnston, Rebecca Hilton and Heather Walsh. The two bored girls, Niki White and Gillian Beer were superb as were Mark White and Simon Connelly. The bus design and the lighting were excellent. Congratulations to Adrian Beer on his first hilarious production.