January 2003 - Region 11 - Edith Yates
ALADDIN
Garstang Theatre Group
Garstang Drama Group's production of Aladdin was a joy and delight from start to finish, with imaginative and colourful sets, gorgeous costumes, skilled musical accompaniment and a great sense of team-work from the talented cast.
Louise Bartlett, as a handsome and dashing Aladdin, and Kath Dobson as the beautiful and elegant Princess Lotus Blossom ably led the large company.
The comedy team, headed by Ruth Hilson as a motherly and wonderfully determined and eccentric Widow Twankey (A widow with "class") and Steve Dobson as a mischievous, fun-loving Wishee-Washee, established an immediate rapport with the appreciative audience.
Katherine Corkish and Anne Lang as Winnie Wong and Minnie Wong created contrasting and compelling comedic characterisations which added greatly to this fun-filled production.
Joseph Clark was a distinguished Emperor and George Richardson had notable presence and authority as the Chamberlain, One Long Pong. Abanazar, played by Andrew Burdett, was particularly impressive with his rich and resonant voice and compelling stage presence. He was a villain we loved to hate!
The energy, vitality and precision of the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Chorus, each with individual characterisations, together with the delightful children's chorus and dancers, deserve particular praise and commendation, as do the charming and graceful Genie of the Ring (Babs Taylor), the commanding Genie of the Lamp (Carla Addison), a delightful Clarence the Camel (Joseph Myerscough and David Pollard) and a crafty and enterprising street vendor (John Corkish).
The technical aspects of the Production were of high quality, the stage management was super-efficient and the imaginative and sensitive lighting added greatly to the success of the Pantomime.
The Producer/Choreographer, Avril Bevan deserves much praise for creating such a skilled, detailed, memorable and joyous production.
Congratulations to Garstang Theatre Group This was Pantomime at its best.
James Dodding
OKLAHOMA!
Kendal Amateur Operatic Society
This is an ever popular show and it captures the audiences with its well loved songs. Aunt Ella opened the show and Merit Bull carried off this character with every confidence and her experience shone through. Mark Jeffreys was a good Curly and coupled with Alison Hine as Laurey were an excellent pair, both worked hard and sang well.
The Pedlar Man (Ali Hakim) was in the capable hands of Steve Hall who played all the comedy possible. I did like his number 'It's a scandal' with the boys and girls. Amy Forest captured Gertie Cummings, especially her giggle, very confidently. Good comedy came from Melanie Duff as Ado Annie, who played with every confidence - never losing her character.
Simon Kay made his mark as Will Parker, good singing and dancing. The sinister character of Jud Fry was well played by Denis Bland and the Smoke House scene with Curly was very effective.
Good chorus singing and movements, together with good dancing, all added up to a good evening's entertainment.
Even the short power cut in Kendal did not upset the action - the stage crew were great during this time.
PIES, PEAS AND PLAYS
Pilling Drama Group
This was a very entertaining evening with two one-act plays and pie and peas during the interval.
The first play was A Cut in the Rates by Alan Ayckbourn. Annette Hall produced the first play with a cast of just three. Dyan Murray had a dual role of 'Woman' and Rosalinda - quite different characters. Linda Green made a good Miss Pickhart with plenty of good lines. John Savage made a brief appearance as Ratchet, even small parts show the talent.
The second play, Shop for Charity, was produced by Dyan Murray, who brought out lots of comedy especially when Brenda appears played by Jean Curwen. The male role of Mr.Galbraith was in the capable hands of John Bolton. Three other 'shop' ladies were Hilda (Annette Hall), Doris (Linda Green) and Mrs Pike (Yvonne Clavin). All characters were well played and had been suitably cast.
This society is only small but they do some good work and keep the amateur theatre alive in the village. Keep it up Pilling.
HOBSONS CHOICE
Storth & District Entertainers
This was my first visit to this Society since they re-joined NODA. What a suprise I got with the transformation to the Village Hall - tiered seating. You really felt you were in a professional studio. An excellent set had been constructed and you really got the feeling of being in the cellar in the second act with the clever set positioning.
The strength of the play came from Sheila Seed as Maggie Hobson. She gave an excellent performance with good facial expressions - her timing was perfect with every move.
A fine portrayal of Hobson came from Harry Lowe, who was a very demanding character and this was carried throughout the performance.
William Mossop was very well played by David Green, again an excellent character, well controlled by Maggie.
All characters had been perfectly cast which added up to a very good production, with thanks to Pauline Walton and Mike Cooper.
KISS ME KATE
Ulverston Amateur Operatic Society
This is a show which contains some of the best Cole Porter music, with numbers like 'So in Love', 'Wunderbar', and 'Tom, Dick or Harry'. Show Director, Shirley Britton, did an excellent job with this production, coupled with good musical direction from Doreen Dunlop.
Russ Palmer gave an excellent portrayal of Fred Graham, good singing throughout especially 'I've come to wive it wealthily in Padua' and 'Were thine that special face'. Lilli Vanessi was given everything possible by Lindsey Jackson, another good characterisation. Sue Little carried off the character of Lois Lane with every confidence and her number 'Tom, Dick or Harry' was very well done.
The two gangsters, perfectly played by Bill Springthorpe and Ken Hindle, almost stole the show with their 'Brush up your Shakespeare', which had been cleverly produced. Flamboyant Harrison Howell was in the capable hands of Kenny Smythe.
Good choreography with thanks to Denise King. Smaller characters were well cast and all worked well together. The 'Shrew' finale with Kate was excellent, all adding up to a great production.
WEST SIDE STORY
Walney Amateur Operatic Society
This was a very fine show. You really felt the atmosphere as soon as the curtain went up. The producer David Marcus, also playing Shrank, must be congratulated - the atmosphere was quite electric. Wonderful choreography, thanks to Deborah Brown and Graham Barker, with a very special ballet danced beautifully by Paula and Eric Short. The voice of Eileen Lithgow during the ballet was quite special.
As usual Peter Dyer kept his orchestra well under control. Sometimes in West Side Story the orchestra can be too loud - but Peter kept his well down. This production was a team effort from start to finish. The Jets and Sharks sang and danced well.
Maria, played by Laura Dodd, gave an excellent performance with beautiful singing, and Tony was well played by Martin Craig. The Jets Leader, Riff, was capably played by Nicholas Carson and Louise Wells gave a good portrayal as Anita. Simon Hughes played Krupke very well, and the number 'Gee Officer Krupke' brought the house down.
There was no chorus as such but every person on stage was a character, all had been well cast. Simple but clever scenery with good lighting all added up to a brilliant production.
CALAMITY JANE
Walney Junior Amateur Operatic Society
This show depends on a good bubbling Calamity, and we certainly got this from Amy Larcombe. From Amy's first entrance she shone and kept her character and accent throughout. Shirley Britton, the Director, had a lovely touch with the chorus in the second act with 'Black Hills of Dakota' - it was quite moving.
Ian Bird led a good orchestra and once again we had excellent choreography from Graham Barker.
Rachael Jackson was another good character playing Katie Brown. The song and dance man Francis Fryer was well played by Daniel Serra.
Paul Jones was very confident playing Wild Bill Hickock and-worked well with Calamity, both giving their all to the characters. Doc Pearse was in the very capable hands of Paul Williamson - very well played.
All the smaller characters had been well cast and all worked well together. It is difficult for Juniors to play adult roles but Walney succeeded with this production.