May 2004 - Region 2 - Keith Painter
SLEEPING BEAUTY
Rainbow Studio
A very nice and well put together production lull of youth and enthusiasm.
The youngsters being encouraged by the older members with their wealth of
experience was good to see.
There were some lovely settings and dance movements from all the age groups,
from tiny tots to the older dancers.
A nice story with all the principals giving their best—what more could
anyone ask?
Good, colourful backcloths with props to match more than made up for a lack
of scenery. A simple idea but one that worked effectively.
A nice evening was had by all. Thank you.
TREASURE ISLAND
St Bernadettes Players
Nice to see a different pantomime for a change. Aye for an Aye! We've Gone
Overboard — a tale of nautical folk was how it was described in the
programme but there was nothing overboard about this production. Simple sets
and the characters larger than life.
Jim Hawkins, his wife Widow Hawkins and two excellent characters Billy Bones
and barmaid Helga were all notable in their parts.
The Squire was a very nice lady and Long John Silver did an excellent part — ooh
aah! There were of course, good and bad parts, and Captain Smallbits was
a very fine gentleman and Ben Gunn not so fine!
Everybody in this production had a really good time and their enthusiasm
came across to the audience.
I found the antics of the producer at the back of the hall a performance
of its own. He spent the entire performance walking and talking through everyone's
part. It was a very enjoyable evening.
THE WIZARD OF OZ
Teresian Players
A very nice production with an excellent story, lovely music and well known
songs.
The opening of the show with Dorothy leaving from the farm, to the caravan,
to Munchkin Land was very well planned.
There were some wonderful dance numbers and movement from the youngest member
upwards. I knew the cast were enjoying themselves because it came over to
us in the audience.
The costumes were very smart — thanks to all concerned.
The tinman, the lion and the scarecrow all did an excellent job. Aunt Em
and Uncle Henry played their parts well on the old farm.
Dorothy was lovely — we all fell in love with her and she was well
supported by the rest of the cast.
I must end by thanking the society for their hospitality. Good luck.
HINDLE WAKES
Schoolhouse
I think I can say that this was one of the nicest sets I have ever seen — The
Jeffcote home. I would like to congratulate whoever designed and made it,
unfortunately they were not mentioned in the programme.
The play is about two different types of people — the workers and the
bosses. They all go off on holiday, some to Blackpool and the others to Llandudno.
The Hawthorns are down to earth Lancashire cotton town workers while Nathaniel
Jeffcote is the owner of the mill with all his money and a magnificent home.
His wife tells him what to do but he doesn't always take notice of her! The
two parts were just perfect, played by Lionel Glover and Christine Hunter
Hughes.
Their son thought he was God's gift to women and had two on the go at the
same time — the Lord of the manor's daughter and Hawthorn's daughter.
Two very different girls! What a good play and not too long.
CYRANO DE BERGERAC
Fylde Coast Players
The set was made up of coloured boxes, which at times, was quite effective.
The opening of the play with half of the cast amongst the audience was a
little disconcerting. One member of the audience had to restrained from
joining in!
I must say I felt sorry for the society for the poor attendance over the
four nights. I personally didn't think the poster or the name of the show
helped.
Having said that I enjoyed the play very much — I didn't know what
to expect and I was pleasantly surprised. The people who didn't go to see
this play missed a treat.
The leading role was a great performance in itself. A large cast with some
more experienced than others. The ladies must learn to project their voices
and not chatter to each other on stage. Thank you all for the effort you
put in producing plays in Lytham.
IOLANTHE
Preston Gilbert & Sullivan
A very slick and smart show with two nice sets. The show to me, was led
by the Lord Chancellor who was well supported by the two Earls. All three
sang well and gave great performances.
The other side of the story with Strephon — the son of a fairy — which
made him half a fairy, his mother lolanthe and the Queen of the Fairies was
also very entertaining.
Some good singing and set pieces from the chorus. In my opinion a show that
can't go wrong! Thank you all.
BOAT MEMORY
Arnold School
This was an excellent play for the youngsters to put on. It was set in
the round, which seemed to work very well.
The three people on the boat did a wonderful job and kept their characters
throughout. There were also some excellent supporting parts by the parish
priest and the captain of the ship. The children and villagers supported
the whole of the performance.
Thank you to the rest of the cast and everyone concerned for all your hard
work.
OKLAHOMA!
Lytham Academy of Theatre Arts
This was an outstanding production by a group with an upper age limit of
18, such enthusiasm and downright enjoyment was wonderful to see.
There were excellent performances from all the principals Laurey Williams
(Lisa Kerr), Curley McLaine (James Dangerfield), Jud Fry (Michael Holdsworth)
but I particularly liked Aunt Eller (Joanna Piancastelli).
For such a young lady to find the character of an elderly woman and maintain
throughout was creditable. All other principals made a huge contribution
to the success of this show.
The scenery and props all added to the capable hands of Lynda Clarkson, Musical
Director was Nic Parker and choreography Pat Sumner.
Congratulations to one and all.
Ken Robinson
SMIKE!
Thornton Cleveleys Youth Theatre
This Group of young people continue to put on excellent productions and Smike continued
this tradition, mainly thanks to its hard working producer John Allman, who
encourages all ages along the way.
All the cast contributed in their own way but the main players notably, Joe
Gonzawa in the title role plus Ben Jarman, Steven Mullins, Michelle Cookson,
Nicola Jewell, Paul Richardson, Mathew Taylor, Megan Gonzawa.
Choreography was by Jean Preston and the music by Philip Cookson.
Sets, props, and wardrobe all contributed to an enjoyable evening.
Ken Robinson
CINDERELLA
The Chaddean's
This really was what Pantomime is all about. Everybody having a ball.
The star of the show was Georgia Hindle in the title role', she was so
secure in the part and sang beautifully. She was well supported by Adam Smith
(Buttons), Karen Dyke (Fairy Godmother).
The Ugly Sisters played by Simon Cardwell and Sid Turner needed so much prompting
at one stage by the horse. They played to it and it became hilarious. Rosie
Kirkham, Michelle Cookson, Stephanie Shaw and Ian Auld all helped to keep
things moving.
Sets, props and costumes, particularly Cinderella's ball gown were excellent.
The whole piece was directed by Wendy Barnes, Musical
An enjoyable evening, but remember the name Georgia Hindle ... You heard
it here first.
Ken Robinson
THE CARETAKER
Poulton Drama
Poulton Drama back to its wonderful best with this Pinter play. The play
is just a three hander with all parts of equal importance.
Unfortunately one of the characters had to drop out with just two weeks left
to opening.
The part was taken over by Rod Pothecary and all credit must be given to
him and to Steven Birch and Ian Lomond for coping so well.
The action centres around two brothers, one who owns the house, and the other
who lives in one room who brings home the third member, who turns out to
be a bit of a down-and-out.
Everything depends how they react to each other. Three really outstanding
performances.
Another outstanding feature of the play was the work of the props department
for what they had done to create a kind of untidy squalid room, very noteworthy.
The direction was in the very capable hands of Maureen Tyler, who must have
had her problems with the late withdrawal.
WAITING IN THE WINGS
The Windmill Players
My first viewing of this play and it was thoroughly enjoyable, with a cast
of 18 players, it worked wonderfully well.
Set in a retirement home for theatricals it collected a real diverse group
of characters.
Two ladies who had a disagreement over a man in their youth, one who had
lost the plot and was a potential arsonist and the others who lived out their
lives in reminiscences of their past theatrical triumphs. All the characters
were particularly well cast especially Linda Whitworth, Betty Horrocks, Cathie
Welsh and Mary Forbes.
The set was designed by the company, was first class. Props and costumes
added to an enjoyable evening.
The piece was directed with great aplomb by Denise Flynn.
Ken Robinson
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
Douglas Choral Union
Director: Anthony Williams
Musical Director: Julian Power
This was a good production with extremely good lighting of the main stage area, I would say that I thought at times a little more light from the FO.H's would have helped the audience see the faces and acting ability of this talented cast. The set was good as were the props and the "flight" of Rebecca Okell as Fruma Sarah was unexpected and the flying well executed.
This show has a large cast and none of them let the production down, from
the wonderful voice of the Russian Tenor (Michael Corkill) to the extremely
good performance of Geoff Shimmin who played Tevye.
Whatever Trish Fargher lacked in height she made up for in voice projection,
I would not like to be on the receiving end of it unless she was singing.
Now that I could listen to.
Tevye's Daughters were right for their parts and all nice individual characters as they should be, well done Sarah Hobson, Nicola Plum and Leanne Paradise their two younger sisters Shprintze and Blelke played by Amy Corkill and Hannah Riordan were sweet and always in character.
Yenta played with good diction, a lovely cameo by Joyce Lockstone. Lazer Wolf was well played by John Cain. As were the three men who take away the three eldest daughters, Frank Smith was Motel, although a big man managed to make us think he really was afraid of Tevye, Simon Flecher played Perchik with the skill I expect from this fine actor, and Fyedka was sensitively played David Cowley, not as large a part but very well played and this repeated itself throughout the cast.
The show was a joy to watch; well done to you all.
Colin Magenty
SWEENEY TODD
Manx O.S.
Director: John Cumberlidge
Musical Director: Martin Heywood
What a stunning production this was, even if the content both musically and story were not to everyone's taste, this is a musical which grows on you. But one thing you can say without any doubt this company did it well, and with a superb orchestra this was a very entertaining evening with some excellent performances.
Starting at the top with Sweeney himself, brought to life by a wonderful
portrayal by Tony Hawkes and matched in every way by a young lady who took
over the part well into rehearsal and was everything you would want in a
Mrs Lovett. Sarah Nicholls can be very proud of this her last show as a Nicholls
as in a short time will become a Holland (the pies had nothing to do with
it). My congratulations to both of you.
Matthew James gave his usual seamless performance and just gets better We
had nice performances from Neil Catlin as Tobias and pretty Sian Callow who
played the young Johanna. An exceptional first performance from Matthew Quinn
as the evil Judge Turpin as was the performance of his sidekick the nasty
Beadle played with menace by Mike Devereau.
Add to that a wonderful Beggar Woman played by Jane Subacus and a supporting cast, backstage crew ... the result is you get a dark musical that sparkled with light and talent.
Well done and my thanks to the society for their hospitality to Enid and
myself.
Colin Magenty