January 2001 - Region 1 - John E. Flay
PRINCESS IDA
Sale G & S Society
Director: Eileen Jackson
Musical Director: Cliff Crewe
This was a well directed and colourful production. The staging was well conceived and, in the main, the score was well sung although I felt, at times, that the chorus could have done with one or two more voices. This was only one of two productions from the Greater Manchester area in this year's G & S Festival at Buxton - and the company did not let the region down!
Hilarion (Colin Wardale) sang well as did his two friends, Cyril (Eric Cymbir) and Florian (Anthony Noden). These two also injected a modicum of humour into this well-disciplined show. King Hildebrand was played by Paul Richmond. We had what was, for me, one of the finest portrayals of King Gama I have ever seen; excellent timing, spoken with clarity and projected so well that no one could say they couldn't hear. This was an excellent performance by David Kay.
Gama's three sons, Arac (Mark Watkins), Guron (Philip Sweet) and Scynthius (Stephen Hill) all did well. It was nice to see the variations in height which, in itself, gave an opportunity for comedy and which the three made the most of.
The ladies, too, gave some memorable performances. Deborah Nelson gave a controlled performance of Lady Psyche. Janice Rendel as Lady Blanche's daughter excelled, and her solo "Death To the Invader" was super. But her mother - what a tour-de-force this was. If Gama was the outstanding male performance then Alison Davis as Blanche was the female version. This was a big performance in both voice and stature. It was a Savoyardian Peggy Mount but blessed with a singing voice that was wrapped in a velvet glove.
Then we had Ida. This was a performance of some quality and the change from haughtiness to being just a woman in love was always regal. What made it for me were the lovely comic touches that Eileen Jackson gave the characters in act three.
It was splendid night at what is one of the country's most beautiful theatres.
(Colin
Magenty)
JESU THE JOURNEY
St Luke's Amateur Dramatic Society at the Lowry in the Quays Theatre
It was only in February this year that I went to review Jesu and in those eight months, the programme notes tell, us Jesu played to sell-out audiences, received good press reviews, was filmed by cable TV and won 'Best Achievement' award at the Manchester Musical Awards'. Then an anonymous sponsor gave the society a chance to make a dream come true, to take Jesu to the Lowry Centre and give the cast the opportunity of performing in a space beyond their dreams.
The director Sonia Whittle phoned me and asked me if I would attend dress rehearsal to take notes and be an extra pair of eyes. The high cost of hiring The Quays theatre at the Lowry meant that the get-in, dress, and performance had to take place on the same day - a daunting task. The space this society is used to performing in is its parish hall which is one third of the size of the Quays stage.
I have to say when I saw the company at the theatre they were not fazed by the task before them they were all focused on their responsibilities. In fact, the adrenaline was just at the right level. I left them all on a high looking forward to the evening performance - and I was looking forward to the experience and my first visit to the Quays Theatre. The auditorium was almost to capacity and that audience witnessed a performance of incandescent conviction. This was a memorable evening for everyone - a fitting climax to an incredible journey.
THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE (BROADWAY VERSION)
Sale and Altrincham Musical Theatre
Director: Mike Sammon
Musical Director: Elizabeth Cheetham
Dance Director: Val Jellyman
The Americans have rediscovered Gilbert and Sullivan in this re-staging of Pirates and the new orchestration has synthesisers but the original is all there with two additional songs from the Savoy canon. Once again this shows that the Savoy Operas are strong enough to withstand any updating. This production was also quite a change for this group having never before in its 64 years presented any G&S.
There was no doubt how hard this energetic cast worked led by Liam Sammon who buckled his swash as the Pirate King. The central pair of Frederic, the poor wandering one, played by Jeff Harpin and Sarah Taylor as the leader of Stanley's daughters Mabel, gave sensitive interpretations and sang with much expression. The eye catcher has to be Terry Chandler as the Major-General. Much time had been spent on the details of the character. Completing this strong cast was Anne Chandler who made the most of her role as Ruth, the pirate maid of all work. Adding enthusiastically to the fun of the evening was Aidan Miners as Edward Sergeant of Police.
The MD drew crisp clean playing from the orchestra and there were excellent costumes from Homburgs making this lively adaptation a true tribute to the masters of light theatrical entertainment, Gilbert and Sullivan. See you all at The Sound Of Music.
SWEET CHARITY
South Manchester Amateur Operatic Society
Director: Katherine Machin
Musical Director: Mark Goggins
Dance Director: Andrea Balloch
There is not a dull moment in Cy Coleman's score and it is all based round one character, Charity. The actor playing this role, Emily Grossman, took full command of the stage, singing and dancing with unflagging commitment. Desperately seeking love, Charity is set to marry Oscar played by Howard Newall. His experience shone though and the neurotic lift scene worked well because of it.
The rest of the ensemble cast gave convincing portrayals. There was Peter Bowers as Big Daddy the nonsense religion messiah spouting his creed in 'The Rhythm Of Life" and Peter England as the Italian film star Vittorio - the wardrobe routine was fun. Also worth noting was David Hunt as the Fandango Ballroom proprietor who just loves to 'Cry At Weddings'.
The scenery by Prosceneium lacked visual impact to carry this production but there was plenty of colour from the choreography with animated dancers and the orchestra even though the sound balance was at times a little against performers. Mack & Mabel next, see you there!
'ALLO, 'ALLO
Prestwich Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society
Director Peter Larkin
"Listen very carefully. I shall say this only once ...."
What a daunting task to present a play based on a television hit comedy with established characters. Did PADOS. try to get look-a-like actor? No! Did PADOS try to get sound a like actors? No! The director allowed his cast to let the clever script unfold with true Chaplinesque clowning at its best giving each actor the essence of the original character.
Timing was essential and the cast was excellently led by Chris Ainsworth as René and Jenni Lomax as the singing café owner Edith. The plot of the ownership of the picture of 'The Fallen Madonna With The Big Boobies' started its hilarious journey with Colonel Kurt Von Stroh (Keith Lomax) and Capt. Bertorelli (Cliff Burton) both these actors understand comedy and work very well together and kept the script bowling along. Michael Jaimes captured all the nuances of Lt. Gruber and 'his little tank' which he kept wanting to show Rene. The rest of the cast gave convincing portrayals. In fact, there was little to criticise and the audience endorsed this with its laughter, applause and the hubbub in the bar afterwards. For them their evening at Café René will linger in the memory.
OLIVER!
Urmston Musical Theatre
Director: Alan Titley
Musical Director: Roger Shelmerdine
Dance Director: Kathy Taylor
Oliver was the most widely successful British musical of the 1960s filled with memorable songs from 'Where Is Love?' to the comic masterpiece of 'Reviewing the Situation'. It is no wonder this Dickensian piece is continuously being revived by professional and amateur theatre.
This production had a solid ensemble cast and the dialogue was delivered with a sure touch of pace and variety. The main leads of Oliver (Alister Harwood), Fagin (Stephen McGillivary), and Nancy (Carole Smethies), were believable and the actors pulled out all the stops. Strong support came from Colin Titley as the murderously evil Bill Sykes while the illogical and volatile behaviour of Mrs Sowerberry was portrayed by Christine Perry.
The comedy was in the safe hands of John Walker in the guise of the Parish Beadle who has a great idea of his importance and who was kept firmly under the thumb of Widow Corney (Margaret Johnston). In the pit the MD conducted a brisk reading of the score and good costumes from Charades Costume Hire helped to make this a memorable Oliver. Congratulations to those members to whom I presented long service medals. I will see you all at Cinderella.
THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
Salford A. O. D. S. Youth Section Modern Generation
Director: Jeanne Hooley
Musical Director: Karen Massey
With a shortened overture which I believe that was the only alteration to the score this enthusiastic group made a decent stab at a traditional Pirates. The material was well served even though the music stretched them at times.
There were some good performances from Dean Steers as Richard the Pirate Chief who lead his band of bumbling soft-hearted pirates against the cowardly policemen with Peter Ellis as the rubbery Sergeant of Police who was a hit with the audience. Then there was Paul Nunan as Frederic who wants to leave piracy for respectability: he sang and acted with conviction and was well paired with Rebecca Loder as Mabel, one of the Major General's marriageable daughters. Also worth noting in her last part for this youth group because of age (and I do hope she goes into the main society) is Kathryn Grant as Ruth. Kathryn always gives her best in all she does on stage.
This was a very model of a Modern Generation production. After the show I presented members of the cast with service certificates. Congratulations.
CELEBRATION SHOWCASE
The Jewish Theatre Group
Director: Robert Margolis
Musical Director: Nick Sanders
Dance Director: Debbie Margolis
To celebrate twenty-five years of its reformation this society presented an encore show with a tantalising glimpse from ten of its past productions. The capacity audience was treated to an overture that set the tempo for the whole evening. The director is to be complimented for his song selection as this was a showcase for a talented cast.
Stylish performances came from Marilyn Bar-Llan; her rendition of "Don't Rain On My Parade" was sung with a clean attack and much expression. Jo Bernstein was transfixing as Sweet Charity - and then there was David Freeman leaning on his lamp and telling us what a beautiful morning it was. Debbie End bubbled with wit singing "Sue Me" from Guys and Dolls. But the highlight of the evening was, for me, the two sets by the JTG's youth section. This group performed with panache - they were a team of impressive young performers. Amongst the soloists was Abigail Finley who sang from Calamity Jane and Alma Davies who was the gin-soaked Miss Hannigan. Great!
This was a terrific evening. I am looking forward to you next production of Sweet Charity.