May 2003 - Region 5 - Glyn Neary
THE KING AND I
All Saints (Elton) AOS
This was a colourful production with Mollie Binns and her team, once again, providing an opulent setting with enormous burgundy elephants supporting an ornate proscenium arch. The show was further enhanced by excellent costumes from the Pantomime Shop.
The star struck young lovers Tuptim and Lun Tha were played by Louise Rogan and Luke Goodwin who both gave good interpretations of these roles. Lady Thiang was played by Donna Kieman who gave a strong performance and was vocally excellent.
Simon Westwell gave an impressive and expressive performance as the King whilst Judith Riley used her imposing vocal talents to the full as Anna. Jonathan Garrity was very good as Louis giving a confident performance as did Roger Nuttall as Prince Chululongkorn. Mark Tempest made an imposing Kralahone whilst the cameo roles of Captain Orton and Edward Ramsey were taken by Luke Goodwin and Anthony Williams.
As always the "March of the Siamese children" was an instant hit with the audience whilst the ballet was the highlight of the show.
With direction and choreography by Anthony Williams and the orchestra under the baton of Clive Rushworth this was an enjoyable and entertaining show presented with style.
PUSS IN BOOTS
Farnworth Performing Arts Company
Director: Paul Cohen
Choreographer: Denise Neary
This was the best panto they have done so far, it had pace even with the large number of children involved. We had good scene changes, well done back stage. The costumes and movement were good and they had a group of strong principals.
The Magic Cobbler was played by Mark Sheridan and his opponent the evil Blackleather by Ian Jones, a strong portrayal this and came across well, my only quibble is that they did not use the unwritten panto law that evil always enters stage left and good stage right.
Scott Alker was Lord Edam and we had a very good Puss in the attractive form of Delaney Brindle. Peter Haslam made a smashing dame as Queen Tulip and her hubby King Bulbo was also well received. The nasty Doctor Frankinstein was a joy and Ian Hayes sustained the character very well.
Not to be outdone the ladies also put in some lovely performances two of which were Jackie Knowles as the Princess and Kathryn Henrys who played Arthur Miller. Arthur had two brothers Max and Glen both were what you might call a right pair, a sort of Cannon and Ball - well they bowled me over. Sorry I have been watching too many pantos but, seriously, they were great. Well done to Ian Duckworth and Bob Cornwell. And well done to all the production team on an enjoyable evening. - Colin Magenty
STATE FAIR
St Philips AODS (Bolton)
This highly popular 1940s film musical can transfer well to fully equipped stages but leaves many obstacles to overcome for those of us less fortunate. To this end the stage crew is to be congratulated for handling the mutiple scene changes effectively.
Since the dialogue is firmly entrenched in the '40s much depends on the characterisations from the cast. Here we had some fine performances of the unsophisticated all American Frake family group. Leading the way were Adrian Pollitt and Heather Ogden as Abel and Mellissa Frake. Both gave convincing portrayals as Abel takes his prize boar and Melissa her high octane mincemeat to the State Fair.
Daughter Margy and son Wayne, played by Jenny Bowling and Alistair Campbell, along with their opposite numbers are responsible for the romantic element. Alistair did well enough making the most of his musical numbers whilst Jenny came across well and showed plenty of promise for the future.
Robert Peace sang well but needed to display a touch more panache as the smooth talking newspaperman Pat Jennings. Backed by the Fairtones, Delaney Brindle was excellent as the glamorous Emily Arden. Some highly entertaining cameo moments were provided by the barbers shop quartet and Bert Halliday, who played the increasingly inebriated Judge Hepperstahl to perfection.
The chorus made the most of 'It's a Grand Night for Singing', 'Our State Fair' and the dance routines, choreographed by Barbara Grant, particularly the energetic 'All I owe loway' number.
Whilst the show may never achieve the popularity of other Rodgers and Hammerstein
classics it contains plenty of opportunities and challenges for all concerned
and makes a pleasant, if not quite inspiring, evening's entertainment.
The show was directed by Mina Kirkbright, produced by Liane Critchley with
musical direction by Brian Lawson whose orchestra played well and, unusually
for a good number of amateur shows, did not drown out the cast.
TREASURE ISLAND THE PANTO
Trinity AODS (Farnworth)
I rather miss the 'clash of the immortals' which is normal panto fare; however, this sticks generally to the Treasure Island storyline and is none the worse for doing so.
The 'baddies' come in the form of Short John Silver and his incompetent
sidekicks, Jolly Roger and Blind Pugh whilst the 'goodies' are Jack Hawkins
and Squire Trelawney, aided and abetted by Aunt Sally Forth along with Jack
and Mary.
Bert Halliday stomped around on his pseudo wooden leg as Short John Silver.
A little more villiany would have assisted the part which was otherwise well
played. His sidekicks Jolly Roger and Blind Pugh were played by Jim Dobson
and Ashley Baxter. Both were very good and kept the audience highly amused
with their antics.
The traditional pantomime dame came in the form of Aunt Sally Forth. Stan Porter, whose well known ad-libbing sometimes bemuse the cast but amuse the audience, was up to his usual high standard.
Other parts of note were Tom Taylor (Dr Livesey), Michelle Urmston (Jack
Hawkins), Colin Aldred (Squire Trelawney) and Neville Burns who spent the
entire evening on all fours as Spot the dog. (Hope the segs have now disappeared
Nev.)
As the doyen of pantomime, John Morley, never fails to point out, 'it is
best not to let any of the songs last more than two minutes'. This appears
good advice as, in this case, the songs were generally too long, thus affecting
the overall pace of the production. The songs however were well put over
by the junior chorus.
The scenery provided by the society was very good, the Skeleton Cove scene being particularly effective. The panto was produced and directed by Terry Bowden.
DEADLY NIGHTCAP
Whitefield AODS
Set in the Radford household the intimate confines of the Whitefield Garrick Theatre allowed the audience to feel almost a part of the story as it unfolded before them. This was a distinct advantage as the many twists and turns of the storyline required absolute concentration or one could easily 'lose the plot' completely. It was to the cast's credit that the diction was clear and precise throughout.
The plot hinges around Sarah Radford and brother Edward Donnington who own an estate agency which is run by husband Jack Radford. Jack is a particularly nasty piece of work who plans to eliminate brother-in-law Edward whilst contriving to drive his wife into committing suicide thus gaining control of the company. Various other employees such as Geoffrey Curtis, solicitor Arnold Boston and friends of the family Kate Warren and Anna Trueman are all cleverly woven into the 'who done what' storyline by author Francis Durbridge.
All members of the cast Steve Jacobs (Geoffrey), Marjorie Pinder (Lucy), Michael Pinder (Geoffrey), Melanie Rigney (Kate), Nicky Morris (Anna), Stuart Booth (Dr Young) and Michael Tonge (Arnold) gave very good interpretations of their characters.
However, Paul Rigney, as the devious Jack Radford and Jenny McCotikey as his increasingly neurotic wife, were both outstanding. Alan Rick as ex superintendent Cliff Jordan, who attempts to unravel the mystery, was also very convincing.
This was a tight, well controlled production by director Jenny Gregson enhanced by good scenery, lighting and props.