January 1994
Region 10 - Peter D. Hendren
THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
Workington A.O.S.
Another excellent evening's entertainment from Workington AOS. producer David Marcus had some nice light touches in characterisation that were finely judged.
The highlight of the principals was Vince Harkins as the Major-General. His diction was a model of clarity and audibility - his voice filled the theatre so that everyone heard every word. Elizabeth Turnbull was charming as Mabel and Gary Foley as Frederic proved a worthy partner. Ed. McGee was a very laid back Pirate King and worked well with Ruth (Phyllis McGee).
The gentlemen of the chorus were especially fortunate as mostly they had two ladies apiece - but it was a numbers problem in the pirates versus the policemen scenes.
The society was a guinea pig for some new theatre lighting. This needs more refinement yet on the balancing. Top-lit pools of coloured light looked quite attractive from the circle, but gave black shadows in the eyes and lower faces. An increase in the FoH lamp wattage would possibly cure this.
It was a particular pleasure to present two 25 year Long Service medals to two good friends, Geoff Hubbard and Lynn McCullogh backstage on the first night.
ARSENIC AND OLD LACE
Whitehaven Theatre Group
This lovely black comedy was very well done by this group who, in addition to several stalwarts, brought in a good number of players in the minor roles.
As the tow main leads Sylvia Kelly and Yvonne Chapman were both delightfully eccentric in their different ways. George Glasgow as the Boris Karloff sinister part. Jonathan Brewster, was most convincingly strange. I was quite glad I was well back in the audience. Andrew Morton as his side-kick Doctor Einstein played it Peter Lorre style and did it excellently too.
The part of Mortimer Brewster is difficult to maintain and increase the incredulity, as he discovers more and more about the goings-on. I felt that Howard Cooper reached his peak voice strength in the incredulous speeches too soon in the show - and then couldn't top it later on. His girl-friend was played to perfection by newcomer Norma Jean Young.
Jack Coan's production was tight but allowed the newcomers to establish their niches. Excellent entertainment from the Theatre Group.
HE'S GOT RHYTHM
Carlisle Music Society
Another successful compilation concert from this society - this time of the Gershwins. Producer David McNeill blended well the chorus numbers and M.D. Janice Bird kept a good control of the music from the pit - admittedly a little difficult with the combo band at the back of the stage.
The most vocally challenging excerpts from Porgy and Bess were possibly the best. Everyone in the cast hugely enjoyed the to finale items of Slap That Bass and I Got Rhythm - both toe-tapping numbers to send the audience, and me, away happy.
HIGH SOCIETY
Whitehaven A.O.S.
There are some good musical numbers in this newish show which follows the successful 50s film, but the libretto must be kept bubbling along. If not, the show loses pace. Slicker cues and a light bantering touch were needed here.
The society was using microphones for the first time in this multi-purpose Civic Hall. It was a pleasant change to hear all the libretto on the back row. Orchestration was occasionally too heavy but generally blended well with the singers. Lighting was sympathetic, but the sets were too sparse for a rich family country home. Symbolism is not required, but instead plants and trappings of the rich are called for (even though it takes longer to set!) Audience and cast enjoyed the show and explored yet new avenues will all doing a tap routine to end the show.
This society is changing from an "Operatic" society doing just light operetta and Gilbert & Sullivan to a broader base of more modern singing and dancing shows as the membership changes. As staging and musical style become more important with modern shows, mastery of this newer idiom has to be obtained and the society still as some way to travel.