September 2001 - Region 8 - Ken Webb
2001 A MUSICAL ODYSSEY
Alderley & Wilmslow A.O.S.
This musical odyssey was in the form of a travelogue around the globe. From modern-day Broadway across the Atlantic to medieval Nottingham, through Europe to the Middle East. We joined the Society in their travel across land and time in their quest. We paused in Africa, both North and South, before finishing the journey on a small island in the South Pacific. Along the way, we met some interesting characters, heard lots of music, old and new, and had a laugh or two. We missed one or two countries and even continents on the way, but we concluded as a world united.
This all-singing, all-dancing laughter show was superbly portrayed by a hard working talented cast and put together by the brilliance of Director Caroline Farrish-Mayer and Musical Director David Bradford.
At the end of a most enjoyable production, I had the pleasure of presenting 25 year medals to Reg and Joyce Sykes
ONE FOR THE ROAD
Centenary O & D S
This wickedly observant comedy by Willy Russell finds Denis on the eve of his 40th birthday, making a last ditch attempt to break away from the confines of his middle-class housing estate existence.
The part of Dennis and his wife were played superbly by Mark Murphy & Patsy Roberts and were a perfect foil for each other. At his birthday party, his friends Roger & Jane, equally well played by Alan Shields and Pat Jackson, arrived, when Dennis reached breaking point and packs a rucksack to make his eacape, but finds everyone wants to accompany him, so defeated, he sinks down in front of the television and moans: There's always next year - and the year after.
Moving to yet another venue for this excellent production didn't deter the talent displayed by each of the characters who performed this heavily worded play without one single prompt and used all their stage craft to great effect.
Many, many congratulations.
CHARLIE GIRL
Knutsford AOS
After a poor and uncertain start by the chorus, and perhaps not containing the strongest of plots, the show was then carried along on a wave of comedy and music by an enthusiastic cast.
Penny Murison gave a shining portrayal as the mechanically minded tomboy Charlie, equalled with a fine performance by Nick Murison as the love-sick pools winner Joe Studholme. Charlie's romantically minded sisters, Lady Penelope and Lady Fiona, were played with the right amount of panache by Tracey Abbott and Emma Dale. Gill Mitchell showed the audience a touch of class as Lady Hadwell and Barbara Fuller gave an hilarious performance as New Yorker Mrs Kay Connor.
Ron McCormick gave his usual confident performance as the poolsman-cum-butler Nicholas Wainwright, but outstanding was Peter Freeman who gave an excellent portrayal of the all-American wonder boy Jack Connor, and a confident Danny Sala as John Sasaki his assistant completing a very good cast.
The scenery, painted by Jeff Tenner, was excellent and the costumes in general looked good. However, improvements can be made with a little more care in the use of props, and also, very important when using two pianos, that they keep in time.
But, congratulations on a goodteam effort.
OLIVER!
Lowton O & DS
This perenial favourite still retains its freshness, with hit song after hit song from Lionel Bart's clever score and with some clever scenery that made this production flow very well.
The opening orphanage scene was very atmospheric, with the children singing and acting well. I did feel however that they were too well dressed for orphans. Ben Warbis played the part of Oliver with confidence and sang sweetly. Alan Tonge as Bumble and Susan Halton as Widow Corney played well together and Louise Phelan and Phillip Dickenson as Mr and Mrs Sowerberry were ideal together with Eleanor Caine as Charlotte and David Molyneux as Noah Claypole. Jake Irving gave a good portrayal of the Artful Dodger but again too well dressed. Mike Morris as Fagin portrayed the right mannerisms of the part and his scenes with the children and Nancy, played extremely well by Jenny Horridge, were very good.
This is one of your best productions to date, but once again let down badly by a competent orchestra who seemed intent in outdoing the performers on stage, much to the disgust of many of the patrons I spoke to in the interval.
I know I have said this many times in the past, but when your patrons complain, I feel it should looked into, because orchestras can make or break a good production as this was.
IOLANTHE
Mid-Cheshire A.0.S.
On such a small stage and with limited facilities, Producer Nick Harrison worked wonders, with scenery (made by the society members), first class lighting and beautiful costumes.
This production was one of the best this society has done for quite some time, with Jeff Burgess in fine form as the Lord Chancellor and when joined with Ian Whitfield and Colin Jackson as the Earls Mountararat & Tolloller (which were played well within character) produced a real show stopper with 'If You Go In'. Lorraine Derry made a wonderful overpowering Queen and Andrzej Wieckowski gave a good interpretation of the Grenadier Guard Private Willis. Phyllis the Arcadian Shepherdess was delightfully played by the up and coming Carly Sandbach, who together with Andy Jackson as Strephon and Chloe Leigh who played the part of Iolanthe, a fairy and Strephon's mother, were ideal.
I was most disappointed with the singing of the ladies' chorus, which is usually a strong part of this society, but on this occassion, it was the men who took the honours: they were superb with an excellent interpretation of the Entrance and March of the Peers.
I found this production quite enjoyable, but do take more care when choosing the right props.
NUNSENSE
Mid-Cheshire A.O.S.
Having never seen this show before, I went with an open mind, to witness what I thought a very competent production, portrayed by five survivors of the Little Sisters of Hoboken Nunnery.
The outstanding Jacqui Adlington played the part of the Mother Superior Sister Mary Regina, a feisty overweight Sophie Tucker type, who can't resist the spotlights, while Meg Steward as Sister Hubert, the second in command, always competing with the Mother Superior.
Sister Robert Anne, a street-wise, tough character from Brooklyn, was confidently played by Debbie Hobley, and Sister Amnesia, the nun who lost her memory, equally well played by Jenny Edwards, with Diane Roberts playing the part of Sister Mary Leo the novice, who entered the convent with a desire to become the first nun ballerina.
I felt the storyline was a bit weak, although it did have some funny and comic interludes. The music, though not well-known, was handled extremely well by Musical Director Lynne Cowley and performed with dedication and skill by the talented ladies of M.C.A.O.S.
Congratulations to producer Jeanne Walker and to all involved with this production.
TOMORROW'S WORLD
Mid-Cheshire A.O.S. Junior Section
The story of Tomorrow's World is about a family which has decided to celebrate their daughter Laura's birthday with a day out at the funfair, and the last call was to visit a future telling Gypsy who predicts a long journey is about to begin.
A special message found on a black ribbon bought for Laura and together with her brother Ben they follow the instructions that lead them through the garden shed. In the shed they find the witches who are in the process of polluting the earth. The children are unable to get home and so travel on, collecting messages as they go. They see the monkeys who have lost their home, they see greed and waste from rich countries, want and despair from poor countries and pollution of the seas and land.
Towards the end of their journey the gypsy comes back to see them and promises that they will find the New World if they return home with the magic pieces collected on the way. The spirit of Evil works to deter the gypsy but is fought off by the Spirit of the Future. The children take their magic pieces to the nearby village where they are welcomed by the whole town, who are waiting to see what they have brought. The pieces are placed on the banner and the New World begins.
This new production, written and produced by Barbara Maddock, I felt a little hard to get to grips with, and although the music was quite catchy and easy on the ear, I felt the show was padded out with too many dance numbers (six in the first four scenes) and the cast walking on and off the stage through the theatre was a little off-putting. However, the children performed brilliantly, and the dance routines created by Choreographer Jo Chatt, although too long, were very good. The set design was simple but effective and the costumes were ideal.
Congratulations to the members of Mid Cheshires AOS who look after these talented youngsters. Keep up the good work, because these juniors are your future.
KISS ME KATE
Newton AD & OS
This light and entertaining story line with Cole Porter's memorable music, is not an easy choice for any society. But credit must be given for attempting a big Broadway Musical; which really needs lavish sets; but the ingenuity of stage manager John Barham and his stage crew, who set about this musical with some great ideas with back to back sets, which helped to maintain continuity.
Mervyn Whittaker (although lacking vocally) and Lyn Roby, portrayed the parts of Fred Graham and Lilli Vanessi confidently and looked good together. There was good support from Mike McCaw as Bill Calhoun and a sparkling performance by Jean Gardner as Lois Lane, showing off all her talent and wonderful personality.
Paul Stafford and Mathew Pullen made an excellent pair of Gangsters and their interpretation of 'Brush Up Your Shakespeare' was superb.
The switch from private lives to the 'Taming of the Shrew' was achieved quite well and supported in style by a confident chorus. The small orchestra conducted by Musical Director Tim Fulman sounded good and the choreographer Lisa Griffiths brought some delightful touches to the dance routines.
Congratulations to producer Jenny Butler and her assistant Lucy Barham for a very enjoyable production.
CAROUSEL
Vale Royal A.O.S
Opening on to a nice set with a working model of a carousel built out on to the apron, the prologue led us nicely into the Mr. Snow number, with nice singing from the two mill girls Carrie played by Jan Bason and Julie played by Bronach Hughes, with Marion McBride giving a good interpretation of the hard fairground character Mrs Mullin.
Mike Kelsall gave a confident performance as Billy Bigelow, but I would have liked him to have been a bit stronger and a little more dominant. Liam Carter performed well as Enoch Snow and Joyce Hambleton was a popular and forthright Nettie Fowler, but outstanding was Michael Bradley as Jigger Craigin. Julia Rainford played the small part of Louise and together with Thomas Shennan as Enoch Snow Jnr and the rest of the Snow family, were ideal.
I didn't think this production was up to your usual standard, and although the music was pacey, it lacked sincerity here and there, and at times I thought I was watching a marching demonstration, with very little idea as to the end product.
PATIENCE
Warrington Light Opera
I was priviliged to attend the Gala night of the society's 30th stage production; the first being way back in 1970. Whilst Patience is not one of the most popular of G&S operas, I am informed it does have a historical standing, by being the first production in London to be lit by electricity.
This production by WLO was in the capable hands of producer Juliet Miles who brought out all the humour of Gilbert's dialogue, and the 'send-up' of the mannerisms of the love sick maidens was quite funny. The singing was of a very high standard and complimented by a very competent orchestra under the direction of Musical Director Peter Henry.
The principals were all ideally cast with Ken Owens as Colonel Calverly, Ronal Birks as Major Murgatroyd and Steven Raynor as the Duke of Dunstable. The officers of the Dragoon Guards battled bravely with the marching. The parts of the rapturous maidens, the Ladies Angela (Karen Dyble), Saphire (Heather Rayner), Ella (Julia Kindon) and Jane (Jan Hutchings) were handled with finesse.
Reginald Bunthorne, a fleshly poet, was played by Martin Thacker, and Archibald Grosvener, the idyllic poet, was played by Simon Miles, but outstanding was Janice Rendel who gave a superb performance as Patience. Her singing and expressions were a delight.
Congratulations on your achievement and long may it continue.
THE MIKADO
Zodiac A.O.S.
Director: John Corcoran
Musical Director: Ken Street
The last time I saw Zodiac they were in the South Pacific and this year they have migrated north west to the town of Titipu and a colourful and lively place it is with a waving of fans and a twirling of parasols.
Nearly two years as a Regional Rep with no G & S and then two come along together, like No.11 buses! Certainly I am the last person to complain about that as I find myself reunited with the shows on which I cut my theatrical teeth.
Zodiac is not the largest of societies, operating as it does away from the larger urban areas and depending to a great amount on purely local talent so that perhaps the range of vocal ability is not always ideal for every role but they lack nothing in terms of dedication and enthusiasm.
Star of the show is the real life Lord High Everything Else (Director, Chairman and leading player) John Corcoran, with an excellent portrayal of Koko, perhaps more of a Del-boy wide boy than the traditional timid little man but clear of patter and energetic of movement. His topical allusions were well appreciated by the audience.
He was well supported by his theatrical equivalent with the well realised Pooh Bah of Ted Owen, with pronounced sneer and arrogance of manner. Andy Murrell, strong of voice, made an imposing Mikado though perhaps he could have come across with rather more menace at times. Incidentally the business given to the two guards during the Mikado's song was distracting in the extreme.
Valarie Ball as Katisha contributed an excellent performance with good comic timing and well executed business and reactions. Yum-Yum has little more to do than sing and look pretty and Andrea Jones manages this well, and was supported by her other schoolgirl chums, Claire Rone as Pitti-Sing and Eve Leather as Peep-Bo.
Nanki-Poo was played by Daniel Shaw, seemingly rather young for the part but showing great promise for the future.
The chorus, dressed in excellent costume, contributed well though much of their movement was linear, perhaps influenced by the size of the stage. Ken Street directed his small orchestral forces well though some of his tempi were rather slow for my liking.
Once again Zodiac made a strong contribution to the musical life of their
part of Cheshire as they have been doing twice a year since 1969.
(Gordon
Hall)