January 2000 - Region 2 - Keith Painter
Doctor Faust
Arnold School
This play had only two people in it – Matthew Bannister and Edward Greenberg. It was a short production only lasting 40 minutes but was well produced and well acted. A simple set played in the round. The quick fire dialogue worked well and I was impressed with both characters.
A View From the Bridge
Arnold School
This Arthur Miller play was well put on. I liked the two boys who played three or four parts each and the rest of the principals were also good. A difficult play that I think was appreciated by the audience.
Annie
Arnold School
This was the first time I had seen the school put on a musical. I was impressed to say the least – the school has a multitude of talent. The orphans were very good indeed. Led by Annie who kept her character going and sang well. When Oliver Warbucks appeared he commanded the stage with his presence and was ably assisted by his secretary. Miss Hannigan, Rooster and Lily provided the comedy and "Easy Street" was a credit to them. The sets were kept simple and looked good although there were some long pauses between scenes. I would suggest a more thorough technical rehearsal next time.
Outside Edge
Blackpool Theatre Company
A very good set of the cricket pavilion inside and out on a nice sunny day. A very good play with all the different characters in the team and their wives and girlfriends. A very funny play that had the audience rolling in the aisles. Directed by Tommy Warburton this was yet another enjoyable evening. Thank you all.
Rose
Fylde Coast Players
This is mainly a one-person play with the main character being on stage throughout. The other characters come and go but she has to carry the show. In this case Rosie Withers as Rose did very well. There is a lot of dialogue to learn and I didn’t notice a prompt all night. The set was simple but effective and lighting and costumes looked good. A pity there weren’t more people in the audience to appreciate the effort that went into putting on this play.
Cabaret
Lytham Amateur Operatic Society
This production of Cabaret was put in the trusted and experienced hands of Sandy Doig and, as usual, he did not disappoint. Right from the opening "Wilkommen" by Emcee, the show moved along at a good pace. There were many outstanding performances among them Cliff Bradshaw (Martin Cope), Fraulein Schneider (Una Bird) and Herr Schulz (Peter Hall). Their two main solo numbers namely "What Would You Do?" (Una) and "Meeskite" (Peter) were both presented with emotion and feeling. I suspect when Kander and Ebb collaborated to construct this piece this was just the way they envisaged these roles being played.
Sadly Sally Bowles got her character all wrong. She was just too "twee". I found myself waiting for her to climb over the mountain into Austria and start to look after the Von Trapp family - a Maria she could be, but not a Sally.
Finally to Stephen Hagan (Emcee). This was really outstanding portrayal. The character was right, from opening to finale. Congratulations!
The scenery, constructed and painted as usual by the society helped the mood. The costumes were good and I liked the orchestra on stage under the baton of Sean Ashmore. The choreography by Gail Wray was acceptable given the restricted stage size.
All round, this was an excellent show with one or two reservations.
(Ken Robinson)
Dracula Spectacula
Lytham Academy of Arts
Stand up and take another call everyone involved in this production - especially
the people on stage! This group is for 10 - 18 years and it appears that they
are getting a good grounding. Wherever you looked there were some lovely performance
but mainly from the two leads, Nadia Naive (Laura Darkins) and Dr. Nick (Alistair
Cope). Their duet for the finale was quite exquisite. They were well supported
by the remainder of the company most notably Count Dracula (Michael Stacy),
Father O'Stake (Owen Herbert), Herr Hans (Alex Dangerfield), Frau Gretel (Jessica
Betts) and Genghis (James Dangerfield). What a nice individual interpretation
James put into the character. A special mention should be given to Chris Campbell
for the two small, scene-stealing, cameo roles. First he played the pilot of
the 'plane taking Nadia and her class to Transylvannia and second as Booze,
one of the glublick addicts. He proceeded to relate an occurrence to Her Hans
by way of a "Give Us A Clue" type mime - but this mime was done on speed -
and which was really funny. The scenery and costumes, along with the choreography,
all made the show an excellent effort. Congratulations as well to Lynda Clarkson
who directed. Just one slight complaint: as usual the music was loud, particularly
the great organ sound in the opening. Seniors with body mic's would have had
great difficulty being heard above it.
(Ken Robinson)
Iolanthe
Manx G & S
A nice simple set. Good opening incorporating the young dancers from local dance schools as little fairies. This was a well-produced show with good characters and singing. The Lord Chancellor played his part with wit and enthusiasm and did it excellently. He was well supported by the Queen of the Fairies who commanded the fairies throughout. I particularly liked her costume. The Chancellor and his two Earls worked well together. Iolanthe was delightful and sang very well and she and Strephon made a nice couple.
Hot Mikado
Manx Operatic Society
Director/ Choreographer Anthony Williams
Assistant Director Marilyn Mawdsley
Musical Director Jane Quayle
Very many apologies to Manx Operatic Society for the omission of this report in the September edition of NODA North West News. (Ed.)
There are times when you visit a society and watch what has taken months to prepare. The fact that you judge it on one night's performance could seem harsh. There are also times when that one performance is a perfect piece of theatre. It is at moments like these you feel very privileged. This was one such a performance. Enthusiasm, skill, enjoyment and energy were overflowing on the stage of the Gaiety Theatre in Douglas. Isle of Man. My congratulations are extended to the entire company. To say I was impressed would be an understatement! Direction, choreography, lighting and home-grown set were of a standard that would grace any stage in the UK. The show was vibrant, each principal perfectly cast and a chorus that could dance as well as it sang - and how! More than that there was great discipline on stage.
ALL the principles in this show gave 100%. With that I list them below with
my thanks for a night of theatre which I will not easily forget. Pish-Tush
/Jonathan Eio, Pooh-Bah/Gary Chatel, Nanki-Pooh/Matthew James, The Mikado/Phil
Bird, Ko-Ko/David Artus. (This was a wonderful performance and the only reason
I make a special note is because of the stage presence - and his timing was
something to behold). Yum-Yum/Joanne Clucas [The ladies shone as brightly
as the men and this young lady has smashing sense of comedy - well done). Pitti-Sing/Lisa
Danks (The singing voices of Yum-Yum's two side-kicks were a joy). Peep-Bo/Danielle
Duncan, Katisha/Sarah Nicholls [This actress stopped the show with her
rendition of "Alone and Yet Alive" but it was only what she deserved; she has
talent to spare and what a voice! I hope that I am able to see this society
again in the not too distant future. It was well worth the sail across the
sea.
(Colin Magenty)
Iolanthe
Marton Operatic Society
The first thing I must say about this show is how impressed I was by the beautiful backcloth.
The chorus sang well as always and were in harmony with both the orchestra and principals. I thought the MD kept control of his orchestra very well.
Jacqui Veazey as the Fairy Queen made her presence felt and Ken Dagger as Lord Chancellor was outstanding. His solo numbers were a joy – you could hear every word of some very difficult lyrics. Private Willis was very good, as were all the other principals. A simple production which worked well in the confined space of the Church Hall.
Two Gentlemen Of Verona
Poulton Drama
Ibsen, Wilde, Godber, these are just some of the playwrights whose wide range of works this group have put on - and they really are now established as one of the premier drama groups in the Fylde Area. And so to Shakespeare!
The play was performed with all the usual surety. Richard Darbourne (Valentine) and Warren Spencer (Proteus), the two gentlemen of Verona, were outstanding. The rest of the cast all supported them brilliantly - to mention Paul Atkin, John Cottrell, Joanne Stephenson and Carey Hurst in particular.
Poulton Drama performs in a community centre and this involves working in the round a system they have perfected, including their stage crew who set and strike scenes without one barely noticing. It never seems to interrupt the flow or the pace.
The costumes were excellent and, as usual, attention to detail was right in the props.
Directed by Stephanie Heney and Sarah Martin, this was a most entertaining
evening.
(Ken Robinson)
Dancing At Lughnasa
Poulton Drama Group
Brian Friel's play based on the lives of the Mundy family in 1936 Ireland is a hard-hitting affair of poverty and deprivation. The five Mundy sisters survive by knitting, digging peat and with one sister being a schoolteacher. They have very little income. They are very frugal, with food at a premium providing meals becomes a skilled achievement. The cast managed to acquire a variety of Irish accents which were maintained throughout.
The props for this piece particularly the old style kitchen range with its oven and water heater were outstanding. Paul Atkin, who played Jack the Priest and brother to the sisters, is an established member of the company and he gave his usual assured performance. But it was also nice to see his daughter Helen playing the role of Rose Mundy and doing so with maturity.
Directed by Renee and Ian Ames, the presentation was up to the high standard this group has set itself - and keep achieving. It was most enjoyable.
Trap for a Lonely Man
St Bernadette Players
Directed by Alan Millington and David Mellings. This was a very entertaining production. Set in the Alps in a suitably alpine set it tells the story of a man whose wife returns after three months having disappeared. The characters are introduced and play their part in the unfolding story but are everyone who they seem to be? I was quite surprised by the ending but you will have to go and watch the play to find out! Another good production from St Bernadette's.
Songs from the Shows
Thornton Cleveleys Operatic Society
This society put on this kind of show so often and so well that I can only repeat it was excellent as always. Nice costumes and a good variety of songs from around the world. Thank you once again for an entertaining evening.
Rock Nativity
Thornton Cleveleys Youth Theatre
With music by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent this was a show that was bound to be good. The story of the nativity brought up to date and seen through he eyes of youngsters. A nice set with the band at the back that blended in well.
The main characters Mary, Joseph and Herod played by some of the older members led the show were well supported by the Angel Gabriel who sang beautifully and the shepherds and wise men. The chorus sang well and the enthusiasm of youth shone throughout this show. A tribute to the hard work of the production team this was a very entertaining evening.
Imaginary Invalid
Windmill Players
A strange story set in Paris in 1674 this costume drama was entertaining if a little mystifying. It tells the story of a man who is obsessed with illness. Eventually his daughters, who are fed up with him, convince him he is in fact a doctor and can now write his own prescriptions. I enjoyed the play – it is nice to see something I have not seen before but I might have to watch it again before I understand it! Everyone played their parts well and as usual the set and props were all appropriate.