September 2001 - Region 11 - Edith Yates
CAROUSEL
Barrow AO & DS
A good brisk opening with a moving carousel, bright colourful costumes presented us with an idea of the treat in store.
Strong emotional acting and excellent singing by Karen Shaw as Julie matched by a similar talent from Chris Warby as Billy Biglow. The portrayal of Carrie by Kelly Roby captured all the humour and never missed a trick, especially in the picnic scene with Jigger who was played by Martin Craig. Nick Carson was a delight as the pompous Mr Snow, who gave an outstanding performance. Frances Hope playing Nettie Fowler gave a very warm performance and her singing of 'We'll Never Walk Alone' was a showstopper.
Sally Kemp was an expressive Louise, Gerald Babb was a sympathetic Star Keeper/Dr Seldon, Irene Kennedy was a delightful efficient Mrs Mullin. The Snow children were all confident performers and had been schooled to perfection.
The orchestra was kept under control by Peter Dyer, and the entire production was in the capable hands of David Marcus.
HELLO, DOLLY!
Garstang Theatre Group
This popular musical provided a very enjoyable evening's entertainment endorsed by the obvious appreciation in the audience response.
To do full justice the show requires a large stage and cast especially for the big production numbers. On the whole the Group overcame these problems, helped by the set designs of Tony Yates which enabled good continuity in the speed of scene changes. The show was ably produced and choreographed by Avril Bevan. This was a mammoth task in itself, as she also played the title role of Dolly Levi with charm and guile.
She was well supported by Brian Yates as Horace Vandergelder. Cornelius (David Pollard) and Barnaby (Colin Taylor) proved an effective comedy duo, Cornelius especially excelling after his meeting with Irene Molloy, delightfully portrayed by Louise Bartlett who has a lovely singing voice and good stage presence.
Smaller roles were played by Kath Dobson as Ermengarde, Val Cook as Minnie Fay, Michael Halford as Ambrose Kemper and Barrie Mason as Rudolf.
The principals were backed by an enthusiastic chorus although the stage size resticted movement in some of their numbers.
The production was beautifully costumed and the small orchestra performed
their task admirably.
(R.M)
ANNIE
Millom Amateur Operatic Society
Annie has lovely music and is a lively show. Brogan-Rae Anderson was a superb Annie, full of confidence with good singing and acting, although at times her radio mic spoiled some of her numbers. Blastock played Molly Jade, again a lovely performance. All the children had been well cast and worked hard.
Joan Fisher played the character of Miss Hannigan very effectively and coupled with Michael Cairns as Rooster and Lynne McGuire as Lily, all worked well together. Colin MacDonald gave a good performance as Oliver Warbucks showing lots of love for Annie. Grace Farrell was delightfully played by Lucy Dixon and a strong character of Roosevelt was portrayed by Peter Bover.
Good chorus numbers and effective scenery all added up to a good night's entertainment. It was good to see the house full, which must have been rewarding for the new producer Jack Fisher.
THE PAJAMA GAME
Morecambe Warblers
The Pajama Game is a show which must move from the opening chorus, but this production lacked this sort of speed, which slowed the opening number.
Ian Dickinson played a good role as Sid Sorkin, and coupled with his production certainly had his work cut out. Mandie Holland made a good character of Babe Williams and her singing together with Sid was very good, especially 'There Once Was a Man' and 'Once a Year Day'. Argo Ashton played Pop very confidently with lots of sympathy.
Hines (the time-study man) was in the capable hands of Alan Strong and supported by Lisa Howells as Gladys made a good inpact - they were quite slick.
Domineering Hasler was well played by Ray Jenkinson. Ryan McGuire made a lovely character of Prez and his 'Seven and a Half Cents' left everyone singing. Good numbers together with good choreography all added up to a pleasant evening.
SOUTH PACIFIC
Morecambe Amateurs
South Pacific still has the audience appeal as it did when first produced in the 50s. It was good to see 7 year old Jason Whittle following in his Mum and Dad's footsteps playing the role of Jerome, partenered by Amy Sharples as Ngana.
Terry Willett was excellent as Emile de Becque, keeping his accent throughout. The demanding role of Nellie Forbush was in the capable hands of Deirdre Percival who made the part look so easy and natural. A superb performance. Paul Atkinson was a perfect Lt. Cable singing with great feeling 'Younger Than Springtime'. He was partenered by Danielle Lamb as a youthful Liat.
Luther Billis was excellently played by Andy Whittle delivering good comedy. Deborah Stamp had been well cast as Bloody Mary. A detailed performance came from Roy Jenkinson as Captain Brackett.
There was a strong men's chorus, singing and moving well. All this in the capable hands of Joyce Warrington. The Orchestra was kept under control by John Perrin. Scene changes were a little slow at times but this did not detract too much. The audience certainly enjoyed this production judging by the comments when they were leaving.
After the performance I had the pleasure of presenting a 20 year badge to Kate Fairhurst.
DAY OF RECKONING
Pilling Drama Group
This play was very suitable for this group. The action takes place in the village hall and covers before, the actual day and the day after the fete. The set had been constructed by Jack Davies and members of the group which was adequate for the event.
Jenny Blyth had worked well on the production with good moves and every character completely different. Ethel Swift (the village 'know-all'), was in the capable hands of Jean Curwen. Jill Coleman as Angela Brownlee, the village school teacher, played well with a complete change of character in the second half.
A wonderful cha acter was portrayed by Maureen O'Rielly as Mavis Partridge, the 'deaf old lady'. The haughty taughty character of Sally Martin was well carried out by Linda Green. Linda May played the over- orked secretary Gloria Pitt very confidently. Dyan Murray played the vicar's wife Pauline Morris with every confidence. Christine Davies was excellent in the character of Marjorie Organ, the horsey lady, with plenty of strong language, but this did not worry the audience because of the character portrayed.
The womanising vicar (Geoffrey Morris) was in the capable hands of John Savage. Plenty of twists to the plot and every character changed in the final stages. Well done.
OKLAHOMA!
St. Oswald's Dramatists
This talented junior group gave a superb production of Oklahoma!
Every confidence was shown by Katy Taylor playing Aunt Eller. Curly was in the capable hands of Nick Haughton, again a very creditable performance. Lucy Kevan was a lovely sweet Laurey, played with lots of feeling and lovely facial expressions. David Bone was good as Will Parker and Robbie Maddison made an excellent Jud Fry playing a very strong character which he kept up throughout. Matthew Clement brought out the comedy very well as Ali Hakim, and coupled with Charlotte Hall playing Ado Annie they made a great pair.
Smaller parts had been well cast and everyone had worked very hard to get the finished production.
Good costumes and adequate scenery, together with good singing from everyone and lovely dancing all added up to a good production thanks to the hard work taken on by Anne Markland. Good use of the stage was made, knowing the difficulties with entrances and exits.