January 2003 - Region 9 - Sheryl Haydock-Howorth
THE MERRY WIDOW
Cheshire Light Opera
Production Director: Geoffrey Holme
Musical Director: Mark Goggins
Choreographer: Arlette Muldoon
It is always nice to hear that a new company has been formed and even nicer to know they have chosen to join NODA.
Cheshire Light Opera was formed just over a year ago with the intention of giving talented performers in the North West the opportunity of performing some of the old traditional operettas that seem to have taken a back seat since the 'new musical theatre shows' have become available to amateurs. The Merry Widow was certainly a good choice to start with.
The Widow played by Eileen Jackson gave a sound and secure performance showing her strong vocal talent. Glen Fildes as Count Danilo added his own personality and humour to the part and was good foil for Eileen. Anne Birchenough (Valencienne) sang beautifully and danced a mean can-can whilst Gary Davis as Camille was also in excellent voice. More humour and experience was provided by Bryan Pyman as Baron Zeta and Nick Harrison as Njegus. Other principal characters were well cast and complimented the overall show.
I was very impressed that no one had individual mic's for this show. This of course meant that everyone had to project over the orchestra, yet everyone in the audience heard both the dialogue and singing. The orchestra were excellent and Mark Goggins was well in control of the volume.
This production was lively and colourful and the choral work very strong. The scenery was good and looked well on the stage of the Plaza. This show also gave the director the opportunity of using some lovely props which enhanced the set.
Congratulations to you all on your first ever show as Cheshire Light Opera. I wish you many happy and successful years together and look forward to seeing you all again soon.
COPACABANA
Dukinfield AOS
Director: Melvyn Bates
Choreographer: Jean Ashworth
Musical Director: Paul Firth
Copacabana is definitely a glitzy all singing all dancing show and if you happen to be a dancer, then this is your show. Of course it takes a good choreographer to have the vision and creative imagination to help make this show a success. Jean Ashworth certainly pulled all the stops out on this show. It was a delight to see such a great line up of 13 boys and 13 girls performing each routine with slick precision in such beautiful costumes.
Samantha Bates and Nigel Griffiths (husband and wife in real life) gave great performances in the dual/lead parts of husband and wife Samantha/Lola and Stephen/Tony and worked hard together. Elaine Thompson also gave a good performance as Latin star Conchita and Denise Hartle added her own style of humour to the part of Gladys, teaming up well with the accomplished Bill Owen as Sam.
Completing the principal line-up were, John Rawson as Rico, Scott Lees as Mr Brill and Michael Craig as the Maitre'D. I must also mention Graham Livesey who played a good cameo role as Willie.
I did however feel for the performers as they were fighting hard to be heard most of the time over the orchestra. I really don't think it necessary to enhance the orchestra volume with mics to such a level that they become the main feature of the show rather than the accompaniment. A big band sound is fine if there are no singers to consider. Having said that this was a colourful show, full of good solid entertainment.
THE WIZ
Hyde Light Opera Company
Producer: Colin Ward
Musical Director: Jeremy Sleith
Choreographers: Shellie-Beth Sinclair & Jemma Prescott
For those of you who know The Wizard of Oz and not many don't, then this is the funky version of the musical. All the characters are still in this version with the exception of one extra witch and the Lord High Underling. The 1978 film version had such stars in it as Diana Ross as Dorothy, Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow, Lena Horne as Glinda and Richard Pryor as The Wiz to name but a few, so I knew that this show was going to have a lot to live up to. This production was lively and creative, allowing the producer and choreographers to utilise all the imagination they could muster.
Dorothy played by Emma Higginbottam was excellent, her beautiful singing voice and acting was faultless, just delightful. Jemma Prescott as the Scarecrow looked as though she had been made out of rubber as she slithered around the stage. Her character was perfect as was that of Gary Jones as the tap dancing Tinman. The facial expressions and body language from both these performers could not have been bettered. Andrew Gibson as the Lion also gave a good charismatic performance.
Vince Higgins as The Wiz not only had an excellent singing voice but also proved that his character was in very safe hands. Janice Jackson played Eveline, the bad witch showing us a fabulous evil character. Roberta Ward, Sue Howard, Chesney Talbot, Pat Millhench, Peter Leigh and Barry Walker completed this excellent line up of principals.
The excellent choreography for this show was well performed. The set worked well and the lighting effective. Congratulations to all those who made the costumes, especially the Tinman, these were colourful and unique.
My only criticism was the sound. This was again leaning heavily on the side of the orchestra and made it difficult at times to hear the chorus numbers.
However, this show was of a very high standard. Thank you for a great evening and all your hospitality.
OLIVER!
Lees Street Congregational Church AM & DS
Director: Linda Stevenson
Musical Director: Chris Thorp
Choreographers: Anna Ambrose & Aimee Makinson
This is my first visit to see a Lees Street production and what a pleasant surprise I had. For most of the youngsters on stage, this was also their first time. What an enthusiastic bunch they turned out to be. Well drilled, singing their hearts out and some real natural talent. I have said many times that it's such a comfort that we have this young talent about to carry on in our footsteps. Full credit to Abigail Casson performing her first major role as Nancy. She had a good understanding of the character, a melodic voice and gave a sincere performance.
Marc Stevenson as Bill Sykes looked great in the role and carried the sinister portrayal through to the bitter end. Congratulations to Christopher Ambrose as Oliver, who was natural and sincere and Anthony Petrykowski who played a cheeky Artful Dodger. Fagin played by Bill Flowers had a good characterisation but occasionally lost his accent and dropped his voice.
Two exceptional characters were Brian Ganderton and Karen Petrykowski as Mr Bumble and Widow Corney. Not only did they work well together but didn't miss any of the wonderful humour.
This was a good show and deserved a better and bigger audience. Well done to you all and thank you so much for you kind hospitality and very warm welcome from everyone.
ME & MY GIRL
Macclesfield Majestic Theatre Group
Director: Nigel Wells
Choreographer: Lynsey Hogan
Musical Director: Heather Hayes-Wilson
This has to be one of the most well revised musicals for the amateur stage. It offers good well known music and a script that is full of fun. The set worked extremely well on this very restricted stage and the stage crew and cast certainly had their work cut out. The lack of wing and back stage space here has to be seen to be believed. However, everyone worked hard to overcome these problems.
Gemma Moss as Sally was a delight to watch and listen to and gave a convincing performance whilst Michael Daws as Bill worked very hard, but on occasions I felt overdid it just a little. He did, however, have a twinkle in his eye and had the audience on his side.
Sheila Hill as the Duchess needed to be a little more stern in this role to enable us to see the contrast in her character towards the end as she does have a soft spot for Bill.
Other principals were well cast and I must mentioned Steven Helliwell as Charles the butler who gave a really good all round cameo performance.
This was a colourful show and a very enjoyable evening.
BRASSED OFF
Mossley AOS
Director: Nigel Marland
Musical Director: David Chapman
Most people have seen the film version of Brassed Off and I was pleasantly surprised at how well it has been adapted for the stage. This production had all the dramas involved in the closure of a coal pit, tears, despair, humour, romance and death. Nigel Marland knew just how to keep tensions raw, not only through the cast but throughout the audience also.
Exceptional performances were given by all principals who ensured their characters were so real you wept and laughed along with them. Each one portrayed strong emotion, humour and believability throughout. The resilience and hardship during a miners strike and the joy at finally getting to and winning the contest at the Royal Albert Hall.
Congratulations, too, to the children especially Lawrence Hallows who played Shane and the very well behaved Lana Davis who was only a year old.
I think the highlight of this production was the brass band, how wonderful to hear. This was not a regular brass band but one made up of musicians from all over the area. Full credit to David Chapman I am sure there was not a dry eye in the house when they played Danny Boy.
The staging, set design and lighting for this production were very good, and it was great to hear that there was a waiting list for return tickets to see this production, a very rare thing to hear these days. Having seen it I can well understand why. This was truly an evening to remember.
My congratulations to all the winners of the Next Generation who held their award ceremony a few days later, keep up the excellent work.