January 2000 - Region 11 - Edith Yates
GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS
Garstang Theatre Group
This production was always going to be a winner with the children as it mixed two of their favourite Christmas pastimes - pantomime and the circus. The tale revolves around Daddy Bear (Joseph Clark), Mummy Bear (Kath McGuire) and Baby Bear (Kathryn Evans) who are given the gift of speech and song by three fairies (Samantha Newsham, Christina Zarins and Sarah Williamson). Unfortunately, these new talents attract the attention of the wicked Baron Munchausen (Paul Ellis) - owner and ringmaster of a visiting circus. The Baron and his trusty henchmen - the acrobats Ali and Oop (Janet Cross and Andrew Burdett) - capture the bears and force them to swap fairy dust for sawdust. Now you may lead a bear to water but you cannot make him sing so the Baron's new act doesn't quite work out and he orders Ali and Oop to take the bears back to the forest and kill them. Thanks to the timely intervention of Dame Clott (Ruth Hilson) and her dim-witted son, Willy (James Meiring), the bears are whisked away and hidden in house in the forest. Enter Goldilocks (Ruth Moreland) who messes everything up by breaking Baby Bear's chair, eating all of Baby Bear's porage, falling asleep in Baby Bear's bed and - if that wasn't enough - failing as a Baby (Bear) sitter by allowing Baron Munchausen to steal away with her young charge. It was a good job that her boyfriend, Robin Makepeace (Louise Bartlett), was on hand to rescue them from the clutches of the Baron and his fellow Euro-baddie, Count Dracula (Mike Darlington).
Paul Baron was deliciously wicked as The Baron (Oh, nein he vosn't - Oh, ja he vos!) and Mike Darlington's portrayal of Dracula certainly chilled the blood. Janet Cross and Andrew Burdett made a fine comic pair although a slight tendency to rush the occasional line meant some jokes were missed - this was not necessarily a bad thing as the script was a little too saucy at times! I must commend the production team for the excellent Cavern Scene - the strobe effects and eerie lighting certainly made it spectacular. I also enjoyed the "Be A Clown" number - great thought had obviously gone into the costumes and make-up of the participants.
All in all this was another pleasing production from Garstang Theatre Group
whose members radiate such enjoyment that their audiences can't help but
be drawn in but, as the finale stated "That's Entertainment".
(Tommy Warburton)
THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD
Heysham Parish Operatic Society
This was not one of the best productions from this Society where usually we expect a very strong chorus. However, it was a most enjoyable evening.
Good acting and lovely singing came from Sandra Murray playing Phoebe. Janet Thompson made a convincing regal Dame Carruthers, again with good singing, and her niece, Kate, was well played by Rachel Schofield. Elsie Maynard was very well played by Kath Gardner. The head gaoler, Wilfred Shadbolt, played by Phil Maudsley had been well cast with his usual strong acting. John Atkinson made an excellent Jack Point. He carried off his love-lorn character very well, and he 'died' beautifully. The imposing character of Sir Richard Chalmondeley (the Lieutenant of the Tower) was cleverly portrayed, and Ron Bull played Col. Fairfax very confidently with lovely trios and quartets.
Although only one set, this had been well constructed and cleverly used. Good costumes made a very colourful show. I am looking forward to Trial By Jury in 2000.
ME AND MY GIRL
Kendal Amateur Operatic Society
Knowing the limitations of the venue for this society, I had my doubts as to how the Library scene would work with the ancestors. But I had no need to have worried because this scene was a highlight of the show - even with singing stone gargoyles.
Simon Kay and Kerry Hartin were exceptional as Bill Snibson and his girl friend Sally Smith. I have seen them both playing these roles before and they just get better. Simon's timing was perfect and they made the most of their numbers both dancing and singing. Karen Simpson played Lady Jaqueline very well and an excellent performance came from Bryan Wood as the family solicitor (Barchester). Terry Willett was impressive as Sir John and Mildred Flitcroft played a good Duchess.
All minor principals had been cast to perfection. Good chorus work , lovely costumes and superb dancing all added up to a good production. Many thanks for all the help prior to the performance.
IOLANTHE
Staveley AOS
This was a truly excellent show from one of the smaller societies. From
the confident exposed solos in the overture the orchestra were tightly controlled
by MD (and director) Doreen Dunlop. An interesting touch was the snippet
of
"Morning" from Grieg's Peer Gynt as the fairies awoke. However, Sullivan
soon prevailed! The cast obviously knew the precise implications and nuances
of every phrase and all of them revelled in the words. Strephon, Mountararat
and Tololler were especially good in the straight roles, while Stephen Thompson
as the Chancellor was superb in his diction and movements. I liked the quick
reference to Leeson of Barings in the "Nightmare Song." Private Willis was
transposed to the Black Watch and became Private MacWillis, and did "When
All Night Long" in broad Scots. I liked also the Queen of the Fairies - magnificent
in silver throughout - costume, make up and head-dress. Phyllis and Iolanthe
were strongly cast too as were all the smaller fairies. The chorus were most
entertaining in its singing and ingenious business. The entire show bubbled
along beautifully, with great attention having been given to casting and
credible delivery of Gilbert's lines. Sullivan, too, didn't miss out as the
singing also was of a high standard. Well done, Staveley for a great show,
and thank you for your hospitality.
(Peter Hendren)
DAZZLE
Walney Junior Operatic Society
This was a show I had not seen before. I expected to see a dancing exhibition not a space musical! I was not disappointed, however. This was a cleverley produced musical space-tacular. No person on stage was over 17 years old, but what talent they have; they are certainly the stars of tomorrow! Everyone worked well on this 'sendup' of space travel. Daniel McKeating played the dashing Capt. Sam Galactic very professionally with plenty of energy. The title role of Dazzle Star was beautifully sung and well acted by Katherine Smith. Both these characters carried off their roles most superbly and could certainly show some adults a thing or two. It was such a large cast I do not intend to name them all, but I must say they were all well cast and played their roles with plenty of enthusiasm. The costumes were terrific and, I believe, they were all made by the society - well done. A very good stage setting with excellent lighting all added up to a superb evening's entertainment.