January 2002 - Region 2 - Keith Painter
AIDA
Preston Opera
What an absolutely fabulous and mind blowing production this was. A wonderfully constructed and painted set, full of imagination, enhanced by a brilliant lighting plot and supported by an excellent orchestra.
Preston Opera perform for four nights but have two casts of principals performing two nights each, so it is an eternal dilemma that whenever you go you are only going to see one company. This year I went on Saturday, so my apologies to the Wednesday and Friday cast.
The principal roles were all sung magnificently, most notably Amneris (Joan Horsfield), Ramfis (Barrie Wright) and of course Aida (Laura Hudson). She was sensational. The chorus singing was of a very high standard and costumes complimented the whole piece.
The production was by Harold Cartmell and Musical Director was David Sutton, both of whom must be congratulated.
Finally, how nice it was to see a completely full theatre. A truly wonderful
evening.
Ken Robinson
CASH ON DELIVERY
Blackpool Theatre Company
Alan Judge directed this hilarious comedy. It was a cracker that had you laughing out loud. The story revolves around Eric who has been deceiving the DSS by fraudulently claiming thousands of pounds. When he decides to give himself up, an inspector from the DSS calls and the fun begins.
Garry Houghton as Eric, aided by Andy Cooke as the lodger Norman who helps with the deception, led an experienced cast. All the characters played their parts well and kept up the frantic pace that makes a good farce.
A nice set and props all helped to make this an all round good evening of theatre.
MAME
Lytham Amateur Operatic Society
This was a terrific show with some highly amusing performances. Lynda Clarkson was excellent as Mame playing some excellent scenes with Debbie Couchman as her best friend, Vera Charles.
Mandy Squire excelled as the naive Agnes Gooch and was hilarious whilst in her 'tender' state.
Alistair Cope was his usual confident self as the elder Parick as was Chris Dodd as Beauregarde - even though there was very little singing for him to do.
A great show with some lively dance routines to keep all the audience glued
to their seats.
Tommy Warburton.
THE GONDOLIERS
Marton Operatic
This was an excellent production with several top class performances headed by the superb Ken Dagger and Jacqui Veazey as the hilarious Duke and Duchess of Plaza Toro.
The Gondoliers, Marco (John Darrell) and Guiseppe (Andrew Gardner) were well cast although they did require some additional help from David Shard who provided the singing vioce of Guiseppe following a slight problem to Andrew's throat.
There were also some lovely singing performances from the girls, Gianetta (Tara Dempsey), Tessa (Joanne Horsfall) and Casilda (Jacqui Cookson).
A fine chorus and a well disiplined orchestra all contrbuted to this highly
enjoyable prodution.
Tommy Warburton.
THE MIKADO
Thornton Cleveleys Operatic Society
Directed by Nicholas Tomlinson
Musical Director: David Cookson
A nice simple set with lovely costumes to match. The opening men's chorus lacked a little power but for the number of men they had just survived.
Nanki-Pooh's song 'A wand'ring minstrel' was at times very quiet and I could not hear the words. The show then picked up when Pooh-Bah came in and the three men sang.
The entrance of Ko-Ko was very good and the number 'Lord High Executioner' was excellent.
Then the ladies arrived which was a great boost to the show with 'Comes a train of little ladies' and 'Three little maids ' after that. It was plain sailing to the end with good singing and movement. A very enjoyable evening.
NATURAL CAUSES
Fylde Coast Players
Another very entertaining play produced by Rosemary Roe. A nice set with appropriate props and furniture all helped the evening to go with a swing. A good story shared mostly by the four main characters who spent the play trying to poison each other. If you want to know who got the poison go and see the play!
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
Nogal Pear Tree Players
Yet again a good show produced by Sue Gallagher OBE. A nice simple set that worked well and kept the show moving.
Tevye and his family all gave wonderful performances in lib and song. They were well supported by all the other characters and chorus.
Lovely singing in numbers like 'Sunrise, Sunset' and the finale 'Anatevka' and nice movement in the dancing. An all round good night out provided by Nogal Players.
DANGEROUS OBSESSION
Poulton Drama
This brilliant three-hander keeps you riveted from opening to finale without letting go of your emotions. The action takes place in the Driscoll's home, a Georgian house in the home counties.
The threesome, Sally Driscoll (Joanna Stephenson), Mark Driscoll (Richard Darbourne) and John Barrett (Warren Spencer) were all superb, getting their idea of the character just spot on.
I recommend that if it is ever performed in your area, go and see it. The play is written by N.J.Crisp.
This was directed by Barbara Bramley. The excellent set and props were up
to Poulton's normal high standard.
Ken Robinson
THE TURN OF THE SCREW
Arnold School
Directed by Colin Snell this was another good play from the drama students at Arnold School. Colin produces so many plays I don't know when he finds the time to teach!
This play is set at Bly, a manor house in Essex in 1875. It is a strange story about a governess who arrives at the manor house and is left to look after the children.
The upstairs of the house has been shut off and is out of bounds but the children go up there to talk to the people who used to live in the house.
I wasn't sure if the people upstairs were dead or not but I suppose that is the point of the play. It was thought provoking and I enjoyed it very much, although the ending was sad.
TWO
Arnold School
This play was directed by Colin Snell. The two members of the cast, Matthew Bannister and Gwyneth Owen-Pullin, played all 14 characters in the play.
The story of a chance meeting with a lost boy and the tragic story it leads to was very entertaining to watch. The two cast members went from character to character very smoothly and you almost forgot there were only two of them in it.
All credit must go to them both and to the director for attempting this difficult task. Once again Arnold School have come up with an excellent production.
TWO
Schoolhouse
This was the second production of this play I saw and it was done quite differently from the first. In this production different people played all 14 characters.
Once again a very good play, funny and tragic in equal measures. A nice set and props, good lighting and costumes. This play directed by Gail How was a great success for Schoolhouse.
WEST SIDE STORY
Lytham Academy of Theatre Arts
This was an excellent attempt at a very difficult show especially when you consider the ages of the majority of the cast.
Laura Darkins was outstanding as the love-struck Maria - her performance was exceptionally mature. She was extremely well-supported by Natalie Duyman as Anita and their rendition of " A Boy Like That"/" I Have A Love" was the highlight of the show.
There were also good performances from Michael Stacey (Tony), James Dangerfield (Bernardo), Michael Holdsworth (Action) and James Geer (Snowboy).
As a youth theatre, it was unusual seeing a few adults on stage but they helped
to give a greater definition in age and each performed well - especially David
Bradley as
"Gladhand". Congratulations to all.
Tommy Warburton.
TAG MATCH
Windmill Players
This was the Windmill Players' first production in their new venue, after some 56 years and approxmately 166 productions in their original home.
There are numerous differences in the two places, seating arrangments, entrances etc, but I think most significantly a smaller playing area.
I am not sure wether this was a consideration in choosing Tag Match, a comedy for their opening play.
It is a fairly gentle play with a little touch of farce about it, misunderstandings, a few doors etc.
George Aston (Chuck Forbes) promises his wife Paula (Pauline Elvidge) to take her to Florida. A downturn in his business affairs makes it so he has to cancel. In the meantime they are in the process of renting out their apartment to an American lady and her daughter.
George's business picks up, the holiday is back on again and following an evening out between George, his son-in-law and the Americans, all is resolved when Paula and her daughter return from a shopping trip, originally the result of getting a monk on still thinking the hoilday was off.
All ended happily, and an enjoyable evening was had by all. The producer was
Denise Flynn.
Ken Robinson
PRINCESS IDA
Manx Gilbert and Sullivan Society
Director: Dennis Coote
Musical Director: John Elliott
This show which had never been done on the Island before, has some of the loveliest of Sullivan's music in it and I'm sure it will not be the last time it is done.
This was a well-costumed show using a minimalist set which worked a treat. Geoff Collier was an imposing King Hildebrand, but Mike Lean's King Gama was not nasty enough, he should be really disagreeable.
The two Corkhill brothers sang superbly well, Gary playing Hilarion and Micheal playing Cyril. The part of Florian was in the safe hands of Simon Fletcher, here my only criticism was the lack of adlibbing when dressing in their ladies garb, too much silence. And their costumes should have been the same as the other newcomers including the headwear.
The three sons of Gama played by Kevin Brew, John Bowring and Tony Harrison looked good but were not given enough to do business wise.
Valerie Kissack was an impressive Lady Blanche with a voice to match. Both Karan Rioran (Lady Psyche) and Jenni Smart (Melissa) were strong in their parts, I particularly enjoyed 'Please sir don't hurt us'.
The performance of the evening was that of Karen Elliott from the first note this actress hit to the last, it was a class portrayal and a joy to hear.
This was a very enjoyable show with a strong Musical Director well done to
all concerned.
(Colin Magenty)