Year

May 2003 - Region 6 - Colin Magenty

CINDERELLA

Chorley A.D.O.S.

Director: Barbara Wilcox

This was a super show from the moment it started with a mother (Ann Callender) reading to her children, to the finale with the full cast. The script was up to date and very funny, and the choreography was spot on.

We had a pretty Cinders in the form of Lorraine Sullivan, who sang and danced her way through the show with ease.
More glamour came in the form of Denise Mulhearn as Dandini and a swashbuckling "thigh slapping" Zoe Duffin as Prince Charming. A cuddly Fairy Godmother played by a funny Lesley Nicholson.

Baron Hardup was Ben Mayo rather diminutive by the side of his ugly daughters Kylie AND Madonna (I said it was up to date) and played with their usual gusto by Allan Mayer and Barry Callender.

The star of the evening for me was Buttons - this performance was considerably better than some so called professional performances I have seen and David Hodson Maughan is to be congratulated.

Backed up by a supporting cast who worked very hard and a smiling set of dancers who were a delight and the result was a wonderful entertaining evening.

My thanks to all concerned.

ONE FOR THE ROAD

Chorley ADOS

Directed by Liz Ritson

A play with only four in the cast is a hard test for any company. For the play's success is down to them and no one else. And how well they responded. This was the first time I had seen this very funny play and it came across very well.
It was well directed and we had a super set. All four actors are to be congratulated.

Brenda Bartlett's Pauline was a housewife of her age and time and we all have met someone like her. Dennis Cain played by Andrew Kidd, not an easy part this, but he defiantly came into his own as the play progressed. Jane Fuller, the "know it all" organiser of the estate, was played by Denise Mulhearn and she handled the change in this character with style, and by the end she was almost human.

As for her husband Roger, well he was your typical male chauvinistic pig and matched his wife in the know-it-all stakes but he did not change and as the end came we find that a touch of farce comes into play, but John Griffin's loud, brash portrayal never wavered.

My thanks to the cast, the director and Mr Russell for a night of laughter, well done!

THE SORCERER

Crosby Gilbert & Sullivan Amateur Operatic Society

Director: Beti Lloyd Jones
Musical Director: Brian Smith

This was a traditional production with a good all round performance from the whole cast. Brian Hodge as usual had good control of a super orchestra and we also had some nice individual performances.

John Bowen made an excellent Sir Marmaduke as did Jonathan Taylor as Wellington Wells. Alexis was in the capable hands of Michael Kennedy whose initial character which I liked, disappeared and the first bit of lib, but still a good singing job from this good tenor.

I enjoyed very much the performance of Brian Tubb as Dr. Daly and, for me, a smashing Aline from the attractive Rachel Harland who sang and acted her way through this show with great aplomb.

They were well supported by May Wilson as Lady Sangazure, Iris Kelly as Mrs. Partlet and Lindsay Harries who played Constance, not forgetting The Notary played well by Gerald Massey.

A good entertaining evening at the Neptune.

WWW.OZ

Chorley Youth Theatre

Directors: Russell Dichfield & Rachael Hilton

This was a new slant on The Wizard of Oz and giving new meaning to the term Wizard, along with names for our four main characters, Scarecrow is now Crash played by a chirpy Steven Martin, Tin Man becomes Toolbox played by Darryl Fishwick, Lion is Richard Woska but called Megabite and, of course, Dorothy Corn becomes what else but Dot. Com.
Dot. Com, alias Vicki Forrester, gave a charming performance in the role and has a lovely voice to boot.

New characters are also here but the wicked witches and the basic story are there.

This was a good ensemble piece but apart from the ones I have singled out, I have to mention two others whose performances I really enjoyed. Those of Jo Hessey as the good Witch, which she executed with aplomb and The Narrator, played very well by Paul Thompson who turns out to be Jeeves. I hope all this computes!!!!

It's good to see so many young people enjoying live theatre and look forward to seeing them work their way through into the adult group. Well done to the new partnership of Russell and Rachael.

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS

Derby Players

Director: Davida Bentham
Musical Director: Paul Goulden

Although the cast worked hard at this poor script it did not totally work. It did not help to have a composite set where both sides were in full light at the same time and although when deep in the woods, the Evil Queen could still see them which confused me, never mind the children. The other thing which did not gel was the music which was not right and to finish with "These Days Are Ours" from Grease is an example. We had 15 very young dancers which were far too many on such a small stage and their costumes where not in keeping with the plot. i.e. bloomers as in Aladdin but not Snow White.

Snow White was played by Choreographer Jacqui Brown. Her friend Mrs. Baggage was played by Rita Sharples. This "dame" part is normally played, I assume, by a man and lacked the punch that would have given. Also a little more light and shade in the voice would have helped. Gaylord was a nice cameo part by John Butterfield, this good actor reacted well to his sidekick Betty played by Heather Snape. The Pince was Carol Kennedy and the Evil Queen Yvonne Bryce.

As for the Dwarfs all of them tried to have different characters but because of their size it may have been better if they had do it on their knees and had their costumes to cover their legs. I have seen it done very successfully that way when you only have adults to work with. Having said that Kevin Green's Grumpy was well sustained and for the audience, they were laughing throughout.

JACK AND BEANSTALK

Knowsley Music Theatre

Director: Steve Tichmarsh
Musical Directors: Cath Stevenson, Peter Thirsk
Choreography: Penny Caffrey

This is the only time I have ever seen 5 Jacks star in this very traditional panto - not only 5 jacks but 5 Princesses. Confused? Funnily enough both the audience and I were anything but. This was a fast moving panto full of modern music but all in keeping with the story line, together with superb costumes from Pantomime shop.

This all-singing, all-dancing show was full of energy and style, for it contained some of the best choreography I have seen on any stage so far this year. All in keeping with the period but all up to date. Very well done by Penny Caffrey.

Fleshcreep, played well by Allan McHugh opposite one of the best Fairy's ever, Vicky Buckley, was delightful and funny.
Jack A, Adrian Sanderson, Jack B, Jason Weightman, Jack C, Jay Smith, Jack D, Dario Dugandzic, Jack E, Carl Au, all these gentlemen showed how much talent this society continues to find, extremely well done all of you.

Princess Marzipan, Lesley White, Princess Caramel, Sarah Williams, Princess Almond, Michelle Fitzsimmons, Princess Vanilla, Emma Farley, Princess Peppermint, not to be outplayed these 5 lovely young ladies matched the boys for talent, enthusiasm and performance.

That was not all, we also had 5 more very pretty ladies and just as talented as the evil ladies from the Giant's lair: they were Wippa, Jenny Bartley, Lasha, Natalie Bennett, Grippa, Kay Williams, Snarla, Helen O'Boyle, Gnasha, Natalle Bennett.
Add to this a Queen, Marie Darwin this was the best I have seen from this young lady, and the same could be said of Tony Walton who did a smashing job with the part of Dame Trott. Even the smaller rolls were executed with flair, Spick and Span, Andy Costigan and David Kelly. Plus both back and front of Buttercup, nice footwork girls, Emma Jones and Jennie Bennet. Finally Giant Thunderpants played by Mathew-Jon Gains.

This was a night when it's good to be there. My thanks to all, well done.

MOTHER GOOSE

Lowton Operatic & Dramatic Society

Producer: Monica Bibby
Choreographer: Cathie Davey
Musical Director: Craig Barlow

This NODA script is better than some and the dame played by Pete Denkaat was the prime reason it came across so well. Along with his side kick Barry Tonge who played the part of Billy Goose extremely well, this is the best performance I have seen from this young man, well done.

Jeanette Spence has a lovely voice and spoke the lines of the fairy well, but like one or two others in the cast lacked animation, this applied to both Squire Goodheart and Jill Goodheart played by Phil Dickinson and Beth Cunliffe who both did well but were just short of a bit of umph!

Susan Creek did OK as Priscilla and was supported by Damien Clark as King Gander and David Molyneux as The Demon of Discontent, who could have done with a larger cloak.

Not for the first time this year, we had good and evil appearing from the wrong sides, i.e. Good enters always stage right and Evil stage left and front of the tabs - never invade each other's side of the stage. They reversed this.

The pit had a good group of musicians in it, but I would query both the choice of songs, plus when there are solos and duets, like a lot of orchestras, they just do not know how to play quietly. This show did have some very good elements in it and it did entertain. This was obvious from the audience response.

HELLO, DOLLY!

Manx Operatic Society

Director: Anthony Williams
Musical Director: Martin Heywood

This society just goes better and better. This latest production was full of style and energy, the costumes were good so was the set and the dancing was something else. It had pace and the comedy was there along with the pathos and there was a company that worked together both front and backstage and it didn't half show.

We had in Dolly a performance that Nicola Openshaw should be proud of. It was very good and one of the best I have seen during the 2002/2003 season. Neil Callin was Barnaby and Matthew James gave life to Cornelius in such a way that he was at the level of excellence that we all strive for. This was a super performance and one not to be lightly forgotten.

The girls were not to be outdone as the performances of Emma Gleave as Minnie Faye and the lovely Sarah Brew whose portrayal of Mrs Molloy was so good that she made the part her own. She sang wonderfully and totally won over the audience as well as Cornelius.

Horace Vandergelder was in the capable hands of Phil Bird. He was supported by a superb chorus whose only fault was the need for a few more men. Where have I heard that before?

This was an excellent show and the Island should be proud to have such talented youngsters amongst them. Well done to you all.

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS

Newton Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society

Director: Eleanor Roberts
Choreographer: Lisa Griffiths
Musical Director: Jim Fullman

From the moment the chorus of young ladies started to sing the opening chorus this panto went at a pace, well directed in the main by Eleanor Roberts who turns out to be more than a good actress but also a promising director to boot.
Two smashing performances by Michael McCaw and Aileen Wiswell who played Dame Cookie and Molly the Maid. They were extremely good and held the show together. The Lord Chamberlain was John Barham normally seen only backstage. John needed a little more projection as some lines were lost.

The evil Queen was played by Dorothy Delooze and Snow White by the pretty Lyndsey Tither who could have put a little more spring in her step, she seemed a little flat at times. Her Prince was played well by Annemarie Anderson but for the lack of a hat, which would have finished the character off.

The men in black namely Otto (Susan Halton) and Bernando (Melvyn Whitaker) both did their best to bungle everything they did. Warran Kelly was Hugo and finally we had seven lovely children who apart from the youngest, who was adorable, could have had more finely drawn characters, but they still stole the show.
So in order 1/Aaron McCaw, 2/Hannah Stockton, 3/Kristian Austin, 4/Oliver Marriott, 5/Jack McCaw, 6/Natalie Carr, 7/Laura Roberts.

My Thanks for a most enjoyable evening.

MOTHER GOOSE

The Pleasure Folk

Director and Author: James Kirby
Musical Director: Nancy Wells

A lack of men meant we had more principal boys than normal and although Colin Goose played by the pretty Gemma Birscoe came across very well, Becky Casey as Billy Goose didn't. It has to be said that that Billy would normally be a boy's part and she did her best with a difficult role.

We had a very good demon in the form of Steve Coghlan and Ella Dring did well with the part of the fairy. James Kirby, giving a performance up to the standard we have come to expect from this experienced actor, played Mother Goose.
Jim Briscoe gave us Squire Goodheart and his daughter Jill was played by Sarah Casey, the scenes with Colin worked well, and the other principal girl was Victoria Kirby and played the part of Sally.

Finally with attractive Queen of Gooseland (Linda Casey) setting everything to rights with the help, of course, of Priscilla (Maureen Bridge) everything ended happily ever after.

My thanks to all concerned.

BABES IN THE WOOD

St Ambrose Players

Director: Sylvia Goff
Musical Director: Maria Green
Choreographer: Delia Rutledge

This was a good traditional panto in which all the young children knew the songs and in particular the two babes, Bobby played by Lee Bradbury and Betty by Jennie Barnes, an extremely mature performance for one so young, very well done.
Principal Boy and Girl were played by the attractive duo of Anna Henderson and Laura Worden. The poor excuses for robbers were Tim Redmond as Fred and Paul Regan as Bert.

Alistair Milner played the part of Simple Simon with the help of the four young ladies Dolly (Ami Yates), Holly (Laura Ainscoe), Folly (Gail Baker) and Golly (Sarah White). I particularly enjoyed "four little maids from school".
George Birkin made an evil Sheriff with a spot of good make up, the other baddie was played to the hilt by David White, a good performance this, as was Lee Thompson's Nurse Moppet, in fact the best dame I have seen him do, handling a good script by Leonard Caddy.

Last but not least the lovely Laura Stone's Fairy Sparkle who restored the power of good over evil for at least another year.

Congratulations to all concerned for an entertaining evening.

LAST TANGO IN WHITBY

St Ambrose Players

Director: Jean Karran
Choreography: Delia Rutlidge

This was a hoot from beginning to end and very well received from a full church hall. Yes! A church hall. This Mike Harding comedy was done so well no one could take offence at the small amount of expletives. This is not a small cast, and this one worked and danced together superbly, well done to Delia Rutlidge to get them to do the steps.

The fun side was led by gang leader Kathleen who was a joy and her timing and delivery was without blemish. This was a wonderful performance by Kath Creer. On the dramatic front we had a touching and sensitive performance from Jean Robinson who gave this and more to the part of Pat. As for the rest of the company they all played their part in this ensemble piece.

This play has little or no scenery as such and so you concentrate on the performers more and they certainly met and exceeded the task given to them. Well done all of you. I really enjoyed the tappers. I'm still laughing at the thought.

DICK WHITTINGTON

St George's Dramatic and Musical Society

Producer: Glenys Bradley
Choreography: Sian Bradley & Kelly Hesketh

The society is celebrating its 90th year and to mark the occasion had invited old members back to join them in their after show get together. This was a nice touch, a chance to renew old acquaintances and this after a full house enjoyed their latest production of Dick Whittington.

The show had superbly painted drops and the costumes were excellent.

We had a splendid King Rat in the form of Peter Wilding and John Bradley made a good shot at Sarah the Cook, Kelly Hesketh looked the part of Dick but just needs to relax a little more on stage; her partner in crime was Anna Hobbiss who played Alice Fitzwarren.

At the interval it was my pleasure to present Derek Beaumont, their retiring treasurer, with his 45 year long service medal. Well done and my thanks for the hospitality shown to my wife and me.

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

St. Paul's Players

Director; Vincent Taylor
Choreographer: Jayne Cunliffe

This NODA panto is good but needs strong characterisations to put it across and here they came unstuck in certain parts. Fairy Moonbeam (Clare Brown) looked lovely and had good diction too, but her main adversary did not have the repellence that Fleshcreep should have.

Not only was Stephen Catterall's portrayal underplayed but Daniel Atherton's Fleshcreep Junior was given nothing to do and so the Director missed out on a good opportunity to add further humour to the production. Jill was played well by Sam Hilton as was the part of Jack played by the improving Sonia Harris.

The Dame was handled well by Michael Dootson until he sprayed water on the audience. Funny? Questionable!!! It is only used when the people cannot carry the comedy on stage: it is a last resort and it was not necessary as he was working well with Graham Cohen who played Silly Billy and who can handle an audience without the director scraping the barrel for laughs in this way.

Unfortunately the part of the King did not come over as the audibility was hampered by the accent he had.

The Costumes for the show were wonderful and full marks too the people again backstage for they did well with the many scene changes.

For the Players a good attempt but a case of missed opportunities. My thanks to all concerned.

MY FAIR LADY

St Pauls Players (Adlington)

With a leading lady struck down by laryngitis and unable to speak, let alone sing for most of the week's run, any comments on the performance would be inappropriate. Costumes, however, are a different matter. Whilst Jane Catterall, as Eliza, transformed well into a lady as a flower girl she must have inhabited the cleanest gutters in London. In a similar vein Joe Marsden as Professor Higgins was hospitalised two weeks before the show. Such problems obviously take their toll on any production.

It was a great pity that after so much effort had been expended in rehearsal that they had such bad luck for the pairing seemed to have much potential. The show must go on, however, and both gave credible performances considering the circumstances.

Barbara Taylor as Mrs Higgins was in excellent form making the most of the show's one-liners whilst Kathleen Ashworth showed a great deal of motherly concern as Mrs Pearce. Ken Brindley played the happy-go-lucky Alfred P Doolittle well, looked the part and put his numbers across with energy whilst Alistair McDermott as Freddy conveyed the inadequate, inept nature of the character well. Ken Thompson gave a nicely rounded performance as Colonel Pickering whilst Martin Taylor held onto his accent, as well as a beard of magnificent proportions, as the self important Zoltan Karparthy.

Staging and scenery was very good and changed efficiently which helped with what was, probably partly due to the problems previously alluded to, a production which lacked pace.

The Manchester Opera Orchestra under leader Kay Thomas backed the production well which was directed by Wendy Salvage and choreographed by Julia Salvage.

Many thanks on behalf of Denise and myself for the society's hospitality. - Glyn Neary

HANSEL & GRETEL

The Waterloo & Crosby Theatre Company

Director: Jill Conlan
Choreography: Sylvia Stubbs and Louise Hogan

This was an excellent panto - it had every thing from a wonderful script by Judy Shone to a team of good dancers and an enthusiastic chorus. The two leads were super, both did well, Christopher Hannah as Hansel and Charlotte Fraser's Gretel was delightful and good diction from both.

The Mayor was played by Alex Sinclair and the dame by Tony Waldron; Paul Anton Fletcher who had a nice singing voice played Tommy Tucker. The fairy was Sandra Rimmer and Claudia Molyneux played the villain of the piece the evil Witch superbly well.

Along with the performance of Claudia we had two others which made the show, these being the Prince played by Louise Hogan and the lovely Alex Foy as Sarah.

This was an entertaining and enjoyable evening, congratulation to all concerned.