May 2002 - Region 11 - Edith Yates
PATIENCE
Barrow Savoyards
The usual opening of a chorus of love-sick maidens expressing their love for poet Reginald Bunthorne was very convincing - good chorus work.
The title role of Patience, the village milk-maid, was beautifully played and sung by Ailsa McIntosh. Good singing and his usual good acting by Russ Palmer captured the character of Reginald Bunthorne.
The necessary comedy was brought out very well by Irene Kennedy playing Lady Jane. Lady Angela, Lady Saphir, and Lady Ella (Helen Troughton, Karen Glasgow, Maria Mallinson) all played their characters very well.
Bill Calvert was good in his characterisation of Bunthorne's Solicitor. The second poet was in the capable hands of Simon Hughes. The military was well led by John Twyford as Col. Calverley with Ron Eadington as Major Murgatroyd, and Terry Henshaw the Lieut., with a strong chorus of Dragoon Guards.
Good costumes, scenery and lighting all added up to a good production for which Barbara Springthorpe must be well satisfied. Peter Dyer once again had a good orchestra under his baton.
ANYTHING GOES
Grange & District A.O.S.
This was a very polished production and thanks must go to Christine Bell, the Producer, for all her hard work. The crew and passengers of S.S. American all worked well with strong experienced chorus singing, and lovely movements. This show moved along at a cracking pace with good scene changes.
Reno Sweeney, the sexy evangelist, was exceptionally well played by Alison Hine, Hope Harcourt, the debutante, was again well played by the young Jennifer Archibald. The debutante's mother, Evangeline Harcourt, was in the capable hands of Margaret Stockley.
Gary Upton played the wealthy Englishman - Lord Evelyne Oakleigh, his young years certainly didn't hold him back from playing a good characterisation.
Experience came from Mick Malkin playing the tycoon Elisha Whitney. Mark Jeffreys gave another perfect interpretation of Billy Crocker. Good comedy came from Martin Gregory, playing Moonface Martin.
The sexy gangster's moll (Erma) was superbly played by Jean Malkin, she worked well on stage all the time bringing out a very good character. Bob Beacock made a commanding Ship's Captain. As for the Ship's Purser (Philip Purvis), he was brilliant, never faultering throughout.
The angels, Purity (Rachel Muir), Chastity (Caroline Fearon), Charity (Lisa Hadwin) and Virtue (Rachel Marshall) had been well cast and worked well in their characters. Smaller parts were well cast and everything in this production flowed smoothly throughout. Beautiful costumes good singing and cleverly constructed scenery, together with a good orchestra, all added up to a brilliant production.
THE SNOW QUEEN
Grange & District A.O.S. (Juniors)
The magic of this show was delivered throughout. The wonderful role of The Snow Queen was very confidently played by Jenny Archibald, and she never lost her character.
Hans Anderson, the narrator, was in the capable hands of Mick Malkin. Gary Upton and Amy Worth played the Ravens, and very good characters they were. Kay (Richard Todhunter) and Gerda (Joanna Lawrence), the children around whom this show revolves, played their parts with every confidence.
This show has so many small characters it is difficult to mention them all, except to say all had been well cast and worked hard.
The costumes were very good and the scenery, as usual, was exceptional. A good chorus of village children, courtiers, icemen and eskimos all added up to a wonderful night's entertainment.
The orchestra of Piano, Double Bass and Percussion was certainly adequate, and Jean Malkin, the Producer, must have been pleased with the end result.
THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD
Kendal & District G. & S. Society
A good strong chorus with a lovely opening, although I did feel there were parts which needed lifting. Lovely singing and good acting came from Lorna Scott playing Phoebe. Again good singing came from Ann Wodemen as Dame Carruthers together with her niece Kate who was well played by Alex Brockbank. Vanessa Andrew made a splendid Elsie Maynard with lovely singing.
Geoff Hitchen played the imposing character of Sir Richard Chalmondeley, which he cleverly portrayed. The sad character of Jack Point was played excellently by Nick Birbeck conveying very well the love-lorn character. Derek Bamber confidently played Col. Fairfax with lovely trios and quartets.
A very strong men's chorus of Yeomen, and again with good singing.
Very colourful costumes throughout were excellent and full marks must go to the wardrobe. John Perrin led a good orchestra, and all the smaller characters had been well cast and all worked well together.
Quite a few new faces appeared in this production which is good for the Society.
ESCAPE TO MARS
Pilling Drama Group (Junior Members)
Christine Davies wrote this play especially for the Junior Members. Holly Bee was the Junior Producer who was assisted by Christine Davies.
We had Humans, Martians, Planets and Stars and Ground Control workers. Too many to mention individually, but I must say they all worked well.
Good characterisations came from Jennifer Bell, Sally Roberts, Kim Lawrenson, Tanacia Hayton and Sophie Thomas. The movements were simple but quite adequate.
Sound effects were good and music was quite suitable. I had a four-mile detour through road works to get to this production but it was worth it to see Pilling Juniors. Well done - keep it up.