May 2002 - Region 9 - Sheryl Haydock-Howorth
MY FAIR LADY
Ashton Operatic Society
Director: Howard Carter
Associate Director: Pat Battle
Musical Director: Paul Firth
Choreographer: Lyn Jones
When the show began I wondered a little about this set. It took quite a while to grow on me as it wasn't the usual traditional dark set one is used to for this show. It was quite light and at times almost pantomimish, but that said, some of the scenes did work, like the Ascot, the hall and the garden.
I have seen many My Fair Ladys over the years and each one with a little disappointment in the casting. This production, however, had a very strong set of principals.
Victoria Schofield gave a lovely performance as Eliza. She had studied her character well to achieve the humour and grace one expects from this charismatic part.
Mike Galloway, as Prof. Higgins, had presence throughout his performance. All his musical numbers were believable and he worked well with Eliza.
Roy Erentz was excellent as Pickering, he was comical, empathetic and dizzy. Mrs Pearce, played by Doreen Firth, gave a very credible performance.
John Harrison played a wonderful Doolittle, he sang well, danced and had the audience on his side in no time at all. He made every line count and the humour just poured out.
Freddie is one of those parts that always seems to be "soppy", but not in this show. With the very talented Craig Wright playing it he showed us just what Freddie was all about. His English was impeccable, and his singing voice powerful and one could only wish it would work out for him an Eliza.
Betty Erentz, as Mrs Higgins, showed a great understanding of "straight" comedy timing. The Ascot scene was the best I have seen played, by all on stage.
Congratulations also to the chorus and dancers, some good work well performed. A very strong show all round with some lovely touches. Full marks to all the Production team, a show to be proud of, and a very enjoyable night.
GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS
Brookdale Theatre
Director & Choreographer: Marilyn Webley
Producer & Assistant Director: Mavis Jordan
Musical Director: Tom Steer
This NODA pantomime by John Morley is set in a circus so you expect colour, fun, laughter and a whole host of different characters to watch. Well we certainly had it all. This was lively, individual and very funny and a real change from the usual scripts.
The two directors had done their homework well and the result was a fabulous first night performance. Bruce Bundey, as the clown, soon had the audience on his side whilst the 'baddie' Ray Wood showed off his evil and sinister side along with Ron Rossiters' performance as Pedro. Sadie Spangle, played by Rodney Bracewell, made a great dame and wore some outrageous costumes whilst Goldilocks and Ronnie the Ringmaster (Kirsty Buxton & Amy Buxton) teamed up well as the young couple.
I have never seen such a comical Fairy, she had us giggling each time she appeared, well done Catriona Buxton. Of course I must mention the Three Bears who were all great little dancers and won the hearts of everyone - congratulations Beeky Carlile, Laura Bamford and Alice Turner.
The Junior and Senior chorus were excellent - they each had their own circus character and played their roles with confidence.
For me one of the funniest scenes showed the talents of the senior chorus as Scouts and included Patsy from Ab Fab-well rehearsed.
Special mention must also go to the MD, the set designer, lighting and costumes. My only suggestions is, that this pantomime would have been enhanced with the use of radio mics. Thank you for keeping me in stitches.
ROBIN HOOD & THE BABES IN THE WOOD
Glossop Operatic & Dramatic Society
Producer: Ken Redfern
Musical Director: Paul Mosley
Choreography: Melanie Bowler
This pantomime certainly had audience participation - not your usual 'Hello Robin' but a whole sentence complete with actions which set the mood for the evening. Wearing colourful costumes the villagers sang and reacted well to the plot.
The schoolroom scene had everyone in stitches and was one of the strongest scenes in the show. It gave the principals the opportunity to enjoy the slap-stick comedy, especially Nurse Norah (David Chilton) and Herman (Mike Webb).
I particularly enjoyed Rebecca Williamson's performance as Maid Marion and especially her solo where she showed good emotion.
Corrin Orme as Robin Hood could have been stronger in her characterisation and especially in her body language.
The two Babes, Megan Quinn and Charlotte Derrett, both had good personalities, strong clear diction and came across confidently. Promising performances by Leanne Cole as the Spirit and Eddie Vick as the Sheriff.
Congratulations to the youngest member of the cast who knew all the words and sang her little heart out, definitely the 'ah' factor.
Some of the lighting effects were a little dark at times and faces were lost, this was mainly when scenes were played on front tabs or front cloth.
However, this was a good opening night's performance and made a very cold evening most enjoyable. Thank you.
FUNNY MONEY
Hyde Little Theatre
Director: Janice C Haughton
Funny Money is one of those hilarious comedies where you can all see yourself. Such a well written script you would think that it can get no better and yet cast of HLT certainly proved this was not the case. Only 10 days before opening night the leading man had to pull out of this production due to a serious leg injury.
However, the very talented Chris Sturmey stepped into the part and did a wonderful job. His professionalism was such that the 'join' was seamless as he ducked and dived in the part of Henry Perkins, leaving the audience in stitches.
His wife, played by Alison Horn, was a good foil for him and the rest of the cast as she proceeded to drink her way through the brandy while Eileen Southard and Jeff Dudley, as Betty and Vic Johnson, gave wonderful support and showed their expertise in comedy, timing and facial expressions.
Vince Bowers and John Bloor were both convincing in their roles, Vince bringing humour to the police force whilst John looked totally mesmerised at all the goings on.
Chris Williams, as the taxi driver, was just right and the only newcomer to the production, Andy McCoy, made a very impressive sight on his first entrance.
The set was also very impressive and worked so well on such a small stage. Much thought and detail had gone into this production under the excellent direction of Janice Haughton, certainly team work wins the day. A truly enjoyable evening - thank you.
CABARET
Hyde Musical Society
Production Director: Ann Atkins
Choreographer: Jean Ashworth
Musical Director: Jeremy Sleith This show is set in Berlin just prior to
Hitler's rise to power, a very sensitive time for everyone, especially
the Jews. The show opens in the Kit Kat Club, a very off the wall sort
of place where men dress as women and the women are very seductive.
Jean Ashworth's choreography was very good and slick and the girls performed well. An Emcee introduces us to the wonders of the club and from here the story begins to unfold.
Sally Bowles, played by Pamela Syme, looked good and delivered her songs well. However, I did feel that there was a lack of understanding of her character. I would have liked to have seen a little more depth and emotion.
Karl Morgan, as Clifford, played his part with ease. He was believable throughout and worked hard to project the story with the emotions of the situation.
Janine Royle gave a good performance as Fraulein Kost, she seduced her way through the show and managed to get some humour from her part.
The Emcee, played by Jonathan Clay, could sing, dance and roller skate, but I feel his character should have shown a little more of his sinister side.
Two outstanding performances were given by Dianne Aspinall and Peter Bowler who played the tragedy out with so much emotion you wanted to weep for them.
Unfortunately the show lacked pace, especially in the first half. The lighting was very effective as were the costumes but the trucks were rather noisy when being ' moved. This show had the makings of a good production but I felt it was a little under rehearsed in parts.
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
Mossley Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society
Director: Craig Wright
Musical Director: Stephen Bradnum
Choreographer: Lynne Cummings
Anyone seeing this pantomime would not have been disappointed. It contained all the humour you could imagine and a few special touches, too. The set designers had certainly gone to town for this pantomime and we not only had imaginative scenery and a marvellous giant but an amazing dragon as well. With effective lighting each scene was a pleasure to watch. Congratulations to John Buckley and his team.
Paul Firth as Dame Trot gave a wonderful humorous performance and wore some fantastic costumes. He was well supported by Roy Etchells as the King. Denise Hartle was hilarious as the fairy and a far cry from the sweet, demure fairy one is used to seeing. She sang and danced her way through the plot and was ideally cast for this part as was Alison Foy (Mrs Blunderbore) whose characterisation was just right.
It was so refreshing to see a Princess (Emma Higginbottom) who not only looked pretty but could sing beautifully and had a sense of humour.
Natalie Wood, as Jack, looked great in the part and really understood her character well, getting the audience on her side from the beginning.
I have never seen Nigel Griffiths in pantomime before but I was certainly not disappointed with his performance. As Silly Billy he charmed the audience and worked hard with the rest of the cast.
Credit must also go to Jon Crebbin, Steve Mellor, John Hankin and Roger Wright all who gave very convincing performances.
Lynne Cummings' choreography was lively and well performed and M.D. Stephen Bradnum maintained a good pace and encouraged the audience to join in waving his 'wand'.
Congratulation to Craig Wright on this excellent production which displayed, without a doubt, team work. As the little one said: Thank you - thank you very much.
ENJOYMENT FOR EVERYONE
The Noreen Dickinson School of Dance
Principals: Noreen Dickinson MBE & Melodie Hudson
What a spectacular opening to a show - the Can-Can. If you are, or have been, a dancer then you will remember the hard work that goes into performing a great can-can and great this certainly was. The students and teachers took us to the Moulin Rouge in style. Perfect timing, fabulous patterns and designs and fantastic costumes. With an opening like this I knew I was in for a treat.
One can only marvel at the tireless patience that goes into working with children, some of whom were only three years old and have never been on stage before; certainly not for the faint hearted to tackle and especially when you have a cast of around 200. The routines throughout the evening were slick and the children were so well drilled. Besides the Can Can there was a beautiful rainbow ballet, the Lion King, an Indian dance and a fabulous tap routine to Fascinating Rhythm. Of course there were many more numbers which were performed to a very high standard.
The attention to detail in the costumes and accessories were, to say the least, beautiful. Everything co-ordinated in colour and style, congratulations to all concerned here, an awful lot of thought had gone into this.
Noreen Dickinson has worked tirelessly for 35 years to raise money for MENCAP. This year is no exception, with the support and dedication from her niece and partner Melodie Hudson theirs is a great partnership. Thank you for entertaining us all, long may you continue.
CAROUSEL
Romiley Operatic Society
Director: Rod Goddard
Choreographers: Sarah Hope & Sue Cox
Ballet Choreographer: Shellie-Beth Sinclair
The opening of this show got off to a good start with an effective UV carousel, and the scene gradually built up into the hustle and bustle of a showground. Characters in colourful costumes were quickly established as the story began to unfold.
Lucy Roylance was well cast as Julie and sang with warmth and emotion. Cathryn Penton, playing her first principal role of Carrie, sang nicely and with Ian Goddard as Enoch Snow both certainly looked the part. But I felt that some of the humour was sadly missing.
Rob Haslam, as Billy Bigelow, delivered his numbers well and had a good balance of stubborness and remorse, but I felt Jigger, in contrast, played by Shaun Penton, could have been more sinister and threatening.
Jill Ratcliffe, as Mrs Mullen, was good and showed her experience as a character actress and another credible performance was given by Katherine Brown as Nettie Fowler.
Congratulations also to Jenny Taylor as Louise whose dancing was strong as was her understanding of her character. The Snow children came across confidently and were all well drilled.
Some strong chorus work and dancing throughout, especially Blow High, Blow Low, and the choreography was good and well performed. The Dream Ballet was particularly well choreographed with total understanding by all concerned.
There were some very nice touches to the production of this show but I did feel that some of the scenes were rather dark at times and characters tended to walk out of area lighting on occasions.
The final scene and the finale were good and as always brought a tear to the eye. Overall, this was a very pleasant evening and I thank you for you kind hospitality.
HOORAH FOR HOLLYWOOD
Youth Unlimited Theatre Group
Producer, Choreographer & MD: M Valerie Brook
Assistants to Producer: Zoe Booth, Kath Williams, Pam Stienne
Val Brook founded this company over 26 years ago where they performed in the local Parish Hall seating around 218 people. After a few years they moved to Hulme Hall School and then on to Romiley Forum both seating around 400 people.
This year they have taken the plunge and moved to what they hope will become their 'new home', The Plaza Theatre in Stockport where the seating capacity is 1200.
This, of course, is a mammoth step for any society to take but one which I am sure they will not be sorry about. Over the years Youth Unlimited can be proud of making dreams come true for youngsters who have, in their own right, become successful in the theatrical profession.
Ben Crompton (Clocking Off). Rhiannan Williams (Grease), Carl Davies (Cabaret Artist) and, of course, their own daughter, Nicola Dawn, who was chosen by Barry Manilow to play the lead in Copacabana opposite Gary Wilmott, are just some of the many professional names who started out with this company.
Hoorah for Hollywood was written and devised by Peter Hornsby in collaboration with Dilys Worsfold and takes us through a musical extravaganza of Hollywood in the '30s including silent movies.
The show opens on a spectacular array of characters as we sing and dance our way through some of the finest music ever written.
To name all the 55 youngsters taking part would take too long but I must make particular mention of Alex Duliba, Emily Fleeshman, Paul Turner and Lucy Hope all who retained their characters, accents and demonstrated that their singing ability was something to be proud of.
Matthew Brown certainly brought a tear to the eye when he sang with confidence 'When you wish upon a Star' and 'Look for the Silver Lining'. Richard Green also crooned with ease and assurance.
I have seen many people sing Al Jolson songs before but never one quite as young as Richard Fleeshman who had certainly done his homework on this personality.
The whole company were well drilled showing their skills with good harmonies, tap dancing and acting. It's always a pleasure to see attention paid to detail in grooming, the boys had their hair slicked and the girls wore matching shoes. Full marks must go to the wardrobe department for the beautiful costumes.
Congratulations Val and everyone for such good entertainment - it's reassuring to know that we have such talented youngsters to help secure the future of amateur theatre