May 2003 - Region 7 - Tony Adler
ME AND MY GIRL
Heywood A.O. and D.S.
Produced and Directed by: Carol McCormack
Choreographer: Jill McIntosh
Musical Director: David Abendstern
This was an enjoyable and competent show as the audience clearly demonstrated at the end.
So much revolves around the part of Bill and I was interested to see how Simon Pickup would fare in this part having seen him act as MD for this show for another of my societies last year. Whilst perhaps not perfect for the part in some ways, nevertheless, he gave a likeable, warm and affable portrayal of Bill to which the company and audience responded. He put his numbers over competently and led the company throughout and did well opposite all the other performers in the various scenes where the repartee is so important.
Sarah Davey (new to me) was certainly one of the very best Sallys I have seen and made the most of her part. She was very attractive and almost looked an Eliza from My Fair Lady at the end and her singing for the role was excellent. The other part which stood out and was very professional was that of Parchester played by Mike Donohue. I have seen some good ones but he was well ahead of the others and although it is not the largest supporting role, it is such an important one.
One of the strengths of this show is that there are a number of parts which give performers an excellent chance to show off their talent and contribute to the overall effect. Particularly amongst these were the experienced Coralie Mooney as a rather regal Maria, well supported by Rob Fitton as Sir John, Ann Dickson as Lady Jacqueline and Andrew Hall as Gerald, as well as Bill Radburn as Charles and several other parts and the whole of the company did well generally.
Carol McCormack produced a show of which she will have been well pleased with quite tight and imaginative direction while Jill McIntosh's Choreography was well matched by David Abenstern who did justice to this lively score.
THE GONDOLIERS
Hope Entertainments Society
Producer: Anne Dobell
Musical Director: Joan Corser
I rather enjoyed this show ably produced by Anne Dobell. I admit I always find that this G & S show is light enough for good music and lyrics to send you home singing and almost dancing the 'Cachucha' and it gives an excellent opportunity for good singing acting and comedy.
All the performers did well with an excellent orchestra under the control
of Joan Corser which was a pleasure to listen to.
All the leads were equally acceptable from Peter Shellard with his King Charles
Spaniel wig with some nifty footwork in addition to Brent Andrews in the
awful part of Luiz which he played as well as I have seen, whilst John Myers
and Andrew Exley were most amiable and likeable Gondoliers who were more
than a match for Austin McKenna as the Grand Inquisitor who seems to be improving
with age.
The ladies were well led by the experienced and competent Megan Patrick as The Duchess with her daughter, Pamela Bailey who sang well whilst Gwen Yates (with a twinkle in her eye) and Alyson Lloyd were excellent and rather enthusiastic and willing wives.
The chorus supported well despite the fact that I suspect they were not too experienced. I think Anne Dobell would have been very happy, particularly bearing in mind a few problems along the way which were overcome.
BABES IN THE WOOD
Middleton A.O. and D.S.
Director: Nigel Griffiths
Choreographer: Jean Ashworth
Musical Director: Simon Pickup
Middleton always put on a good panto because they usually have some experienced and good principals. However, they continue to persevere very well with competent tots, junior dancers and senior dancers all of which play their full part and they have an experienced and competent production team.
In this case, they had quality and talented performers as principals and they all did well although I just felt there were times when some of them appeared to be playing for their own entertainment with "in" jokes rather than that of the audience. Perhaps I am being unfair!
Roger Wright who played the Sheriff of Nottingham was at the mercy of two of the best of the Company as his Heavies, and female ones at that, for I thought Lisa Kay and Suzanne Nixon (diametrically opposite in build) milked the parts for all they were worth. Duncan Anderson is developing as the "Fool' and Rodney Cadd, a most experienced performer, did quite well as the Dame.
Needless to say, the other principals who included Kimberley Bates as Robin Hood, Sarah Thewlis as Maid Marian, Mark Rosenthal as Friar Tuck, Carl Morgan, John Robinson and Paul Hulme as other members of the Merry Band went along merrily and so they should with their experience and talent.
It was quite a good pantomime but I just felt that with all the talent on view, there was just a little something missing in panto terms which might have made all the difference.
ALADDIN
Oldham Metropolitan AOS
Director: Michael Mills
Musical Director/Pianist: Anthony Quimby
Choreographer: Dawn Leigh
This was a fun pantomime, a thing I appreciated as did all the audience young and old and what was particularly unusual for a panto, so did Jeanette. When I came away, a thought crossed my mind that I had been watching a young version of the "Carry On" team in Dawn Leigh, Michael Mills, Brent Andrews, Peter Hilton, Joanne Darlington, Kathryn Quimby and certainly not least Mark Rosenthal.
The one I have not mentioned was Paul Rigney as the villainous Abanazar. I think Paul must be careful because he is becoming an absolute natural nasty piece of work "hiss hiss". It almost seems to come too easily. It did not seem to matter if mistakes were made indeed, the more the merrier - and no one on stage or in the audience received any respect from the Company.
The script (or that part of which was portrayed accurately), gave them
ample scope as did the music and the youthful Anthony Quimby who had total
control of the music for the first time, displayed talent above and beyond
his years.
I went home thinking that if they had all performed technically better, they
would not have been so good. That sounds nonsense but I know what I mean
- Oh no you don't!
HALF A SIXPENCE
Uppermill Stage Society
Producer: Harry Slater
Choreographer: Janet MeGagh
Musical Director: Harry Butterworth
I always think of this show as one with some good numbers, some good parts with potential, an indifferent opening and a nightmare to perform on a stage with limited facilities and without the ability to fly scenery for quick changes.
It all revolves around Kipps who is on stage from beginning to end. Phil Cooper who has played with this society several times now has enough experience to match his talent in order to cope with this part and he led the company well and gave a thoroughly enjoyable performance and can be well satisfied not only with his hard work but also the support he received.
None was better than Sandie Beswick as Ann. It may not appear to be a large part but it is not an easy one particularly because of the way it is split up a little throughout the show but the mixture of her experience and timing combined with her ever youthful looks made her an ideal choice. Mat Hepplestone, Gary Wheelhouse and Richard Iles as the Shop Boys did all that was required of them as did Farrell Re, Janet McGagh, Catherine Stelfox and Sue Storey as the Shop Girls.
Whilst the part of Mr. Shalford was not ideal for Charles Hopwood (who sometimes needs something more demanding to get his teeth into) nevertheless he carried it off well as did Tracey Molyneux as Helen. Val Hogan as her Mother, John Molyneux as her Brother, Jeff Hough as Carshot all supported well as did Peter Barlow who had a brief flash as a John Inman type photographer.
Perhaps I felt that Colin Watt did not quite master the part of Chitterlow who is such an "over the top" character but I might have been influenced by some larger than life characters whom I have seen play it over the years.
The small chorus supported well and harry Slater's production was steady. I enjoyed the dancing under Janet McGagh and the musical accompaniment was quite up to the high standard of Harry Butterworth and his orchestra.