May 2002 - Region 4 - Gordon Hall
ALADDIN
Hoylake and West Kirby Theatre Group
Director: Rose Evans
Musical Director: Kevin Roberts
Choreographer: Dawn Smith
As the weeks go on after Christmas your average NODA Rep starts to view the thought of yet another Panto with some trepidation! Fortunately the trepidation was totally misplaced for HAWKS excellent version of a favourite story by Peter Denyer.
A very atmospheric opening introduced us to the threatening Abanazar of Woz Harris who kept up his good characterisation throughout. Humour was kept well to the fore however with a reversal of the usual Panto cross-dressing with an energetic female Wishee-Washee from Lesley Clegg. Tradition returned with a male Dame played to the hilt by Rob Evans in fine form and general chaos was contributed by the Chinese policemen of Mark Ellis and James Slade.
The eponymous hero was played in fine thigh slapping style by Nicky Jenkinson and the romantic interest was well supplied by Laura McClenaghan. Both combined well in their vocal numbers. Indeed throughout the musical input was a major contribution to the success of this excellent show. The decision to have a score mainly of rock and roll standards ensured a toe tapping, hand clapping reaction from the audience and this was enhanced by the very professional sound from the pit led by well known professional musician,M.D. Kevin Roberts. In fact this was the best sound I have heard in pro as well as amateur pantos. The only slight criticism is that some numbers did go on a bit and for a mainly young chorus there is not much variation you can get in any accompanying dance. I did feel however that the " Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend" was out of place in this traditional show.
Lighting and sound effects were well done and there was a very pretty Willow Pattern Plate routine led by Debbie Harris. Costumes, particularly for the principals, were excellent and everything added up to a first class show thoroughly enjoyed by audience and jaded Rep alike.
THE BEST OF TIMES
Ellesmere Port Musical Theatre
Director: Tom Saban
Choreographer: Sue Hickman-German
Musical Director: Stephen Roberts
This was the North West premiere of the enjoyable compilation show of many of the wonderful melodies and lyrics from the pen of Jerry Herman. I have strong feelings about the petty restrictions placed on Societies attempting to perform excerpts from shows in concert so such one-composer compilations are ideal and there are a number of them now available –indeed this is the second such Jerry Herman show . As well as the well known numbers from the hit shows they can include songs well worth hearing from those that did not quite make it and those that are less likely to be performed. The bulk of the work is given to three male /female pairs with plenty of work for the chorus and for the occasional speciality numbers for others. The three hard-working pairs were Audrey Jones and Vince Stoneley, Julie Rooney and Mike Peters and Jane Chance and Barry Hickman – German and they performed well though with such a wide variety of song to interpret it is inevitable that not every number will suit a particular voice. High spots of the evening for me were the Cage Aux Folles numbers very well put over by Peter Howley and Bosom Buddies from Mame. It may be that this was because the compilation could have had a few more of the humorous numbers to vary the show. It was a particular pleasure to hear the songs from Milk and Honey, Dear World and a Day in Hollywood.
The production team had combined well to ensure a fast moving performance though there were times when the sound system did not help us to catch all the words. There is a lot of work for chorus as well in such celebratory reviews and they obviously enjoyed their evening, as did the audience. Stephen Roberts led his small musical team well throughout.
WIZARD OF OZ
Heswall Operatic Society
Director: Pauline Eaton
Choreographer: Val Hynes
Musical Director: Sue Watson
A grey, misty evening but no lack of colour inside the improving Gladstone Theatre with Heswall’s lively if simplified Wizard of Oz. No Toto ( Aah!!) and no preliminary introduction of the Kansas selves of the Wizard and the Wicked Witch but plenty of fun for children and accompanying folks to enjoy. The Principals were all well cast with a tuneful and appealing Dorothy from Tracey Moran and a splendid cackling Wicked Witch of the West from Marion Russell. The supple Scarecrow of Faridah Brooker, the Tin Man of Rod Brand and the loveable Cowardly Lion of Colin McCarthy made ideal companions for Dorothy on the road to Oz. Alan Williams came up for air after his King Neptune for Port Sunlight before Christmas to be the Great Oz. Rosie Ross was the Good Witch and Avril Collard Aunt Em.
With a well dressed chorus and the minor parts all playing their bit on a bright set the show went along at a good pace. I found the Orchestra to be a little loud at times but otherwise provided good accompaniment. Two minor points which are the fault of the script rather than the company – that turning bridge scene does go on and so does the drill at the opening of act two. However such matters certainly didn’t distract from the enjoyment of a good sized audience.
JACK UP THE BEANSTALK
Lifeline Productions
Directors: Diane Smith and Leslie Selby
Choreographer: Brenda Robertson
Another visit to the lively Lifeline Company for their in-house (written by Leslie Selby) version of Jack and the Beanstalk. With slight variations from the usual story line it proved an entertaining evening for a good-sized audience at Birkenhead’s Little Theatre. There is a tendency in home-grown pantos to try to give a part to everyone and this sometimes muddies the action, perhaps over-parting some of the performers.
There was a bright opening where we were introduced to a traditional Dame character though, untraditionally, played by a lady – Brenda Robertson – as Jack’s Mother, Kitty Fuss. Brenda with good stage presence brought out all the humour of the character. Jack was the traditional long legged female giving a good interpretation as a canny scouse lad by Lifeline regular, Katie Peers.
Humour was provided by the knock-about duo of Dave Rogers and Ralph Brady as David and Donald, two rather large Diddy – men, and the avian George and Mildred (remember?) of John McGovern and Leslie Selby. The impressive size of George Jones made an ideal Giant and Diane Smith epitomised the showbiz ideal of starting at the bottom (of Daisy the Cow) and rising to the top (as the Giant’s wife). The obligatory Princess to be won by Jack was Jenny Cumming and Anne Cairney was the Gypsy who started it all by supplying the beans. Chorus and minor players all played their parts in providing an enjoyable evening.
OLIVER!
Silver Star Amateur Youth Theatre
Director: Barbara McGee
Musical Director: Helen Lynch
This was my third visit to Silver Star and it is always good to see the continuing development of the young performers and to appreciate the work of all the Mums, Dads and helpers who make it all happen.
Oliver, with its concentration on the youngsters, is always a firm favourite with youth groups with plenty of opportunity for principal and chorus involvement. Of course playing the adult characters can often present problems but Silver Star were fortunate to have a very good presentation of the grotesque Fagin from Phil Lyons. Another particularly good portrayal was that of Nancy by Lindsay Shakeshaft who conveyed all the mixed gaiety and poignancy of the character coupled with a strong singing voice. That is not to say that others didn’t cope with their parts well and among others to catch the eye were Chris Liston as Bumble, Catherine Roberts as Widow Carney, Darren Drew as Bill Sykes and Gareth Swan and Sam Williams as the Sowerberrys.
For the audience, after Fagin, it is Oliver and the Dodger who capture most attention. With an appealing and tuneful Oliver from Carina Prothero and a lively and artful Dodger from Paul Drew they were well served. A note for Paul though – he must learn not to overreact when he is not involved in some scenes.
The chorus of youngsters whether as orphans, gang or adults together with some very athletic dancers sang and played well, all of it adding up to another enjoyable evening with Silver Star.
THE SLIPPER AND THE ROSE
Stage One 2000
Director: Brenda Davies
Choreographer: Alison Moffatt
Musical Director: Niki Molley
This lively youth company are establishing a reputation for introducing new shows to my region and followed up last years NODA N.W. Award"Honk" with the N.W.premiere of this charming show. And very well they did it, coping well with the difficulties provided by a new venue, Birkenhead’s Pacific Road, more suited to concert performances than theatre. The architectural features of side towers and glass balconies were well adapted to the business. Of course this differs from the traditional Cinderella – no Baron Hardup, no Buttons – but a much softer romantic version giving good opportunities for character players as well as singers. Far too many to comment on individually I’m afraid but all making the telling contributions I have come to expect from this talented group. It is particularly pleasing to see the continuing development of their more established players and to note the arrival of those new to the stage.
With her father recently dead, Cinderella sweetly played and sung by Haley Thorbinson, is banished to menial kitchen duties by her wicked stepmother – very nicely portrayed rather like the Wicked Queen in Snow White by Georgina Gibbard. Her two step sisters, Stacey Hale and Louise Sadler, not at all ugly I’m glad to say, were suitably horrid to her but also to each other. Chris Allen, with a good presence and good singing voice was Prince Edward, who after many setbacks finally gets the girl. He was well supported by Edward Dove as his companion John and Philip Connolly as the Chamberlain.
The traditional Fairy Godmother who ensures that the course of true love finally runs smoothly was Aby Wojcik, who was not at all upstaged by Sparkle and Wispa the two delightful dogs used in the production. A star performance was given by J.P. Birss as a flamboyant and slightly camp Montague. Good parts were also played by Graham Hicks as the King, Catherine Murray as the Queen and Annette Evans as the Dowager Queen.
The chorus reacted well throughout and, where required, established nicely individual characters as well as coping admirably with some well varied and quite complex dance routines – particularly the Protocoligorically Correct number. The small ensemble played the less than memorable score well. A most enjoyable evening.