Year

May 2004 - Region 4 - Gordon Hall

COPACABANA

Castaway Youth Theatre

Director: Karen Partington
Choreographer: Charlotte Roberts
Musical Director: Tim Jones

It is rare that a sell-out audience as a whole (including a Regional Rep) gives a standing ovation to a show but such was the case at the Gateway Theatre for this performance by Castaway. I have followed this talented group since their first show and have always been impressed by their output but this was extra-special.

From a stunning opening with a magnificently dressed full cast the show swept along with speed and vitality plus. The playing, singing and dancing turned Copacabana from what I had previously considered a worthy but limited show into a real hit! Above all I had never realised what a humorous show it is as the company drew out every comic nuance.

The young cast, several already having professional experience, were exemplary. I wished I could also have seen the other cast who, I was assured, were just as talented.

Phil Cross as Stephen(Tony had fine stage presence and sung his numbers with a maturity which belied his years. The same could be said of Laura Roberts as Samantha/Lola who also showed a fine comic touch. The main comedy was provided by Dion Jones as Sam and Stephanie Philips as Gladys and both gave excellent performances which delighted the audience.

Mention must be made of Joel Keating in the small role of Willy who made a big impact.
Lucy James excelled as a most attractive and fiery Conchita and Chris Wright's evil Rico was ideal, never overplayed but drawing almost panto-like disapproval from the audience yet somehow also adding a light comic touch.

Minor parts were all well played and accents were realistic.

The dancing was also a highlight, greatly enhanced by the superb array of in-house produced costumes — really outstanding and a tribute to all concerned.

The chorus of youngsters was perfectly disciplined and their enthusiasm shone through. With atmospheric lighting and the first class tempi from the pit the whole show seemed over far too soon.
There are times when it is possible to have doubts about the future of our great hobby with declining audiences and a shortage of young people in many adult societies but here was a show to rekindle the spirts.

I hope many of them will move on to the local societies when their time at Castaway is up.

UNDERNEATH THE ARCHES

Chester Musicals

Director: Peter Mulley
Choreographer: Victoria Iremonger
M.D.: Gary Carpenter

Another entertaining evening with Chester Musicals and again a show I had not seen on stage before. A real wallow in nostalgia, particularly for those of us old enough to remember the popularity of Flanagan and Allen and their songs which were part and parcel of every home or pub sing-along.
Together with the antics of the Crazy Gang they take us back to an era when life was more innocent and jokes, although corny, were guaranteed to make us laugh. No political correctness then!

The show follows, in episodic and revue fashion, first, the story of they early years of Bud Flanagan (or Robert Winthrop as he was incorrectly registered at birth), through his first meetings with Chesney Allen and their subsequent partnership. The antics of the Crazy Gang kept popping in and the second half of the show charts the later stages when Chesney had to withdraw due to ill health and Bud and the rest of the Gang became established national treasures.

The major role is taken by Chesney Allen as narrator and character and here Chester were fortunate to have in Mike Kelsall a fine performer. His portrayal of the laconic, laid-back style of Allen was excellent both in acting and singing as well as conveying an acceptable likeness of the original.
As Bud, Kevin Keegan also gave a first rate comic performance, both in his work with Allen and his 'forays into the anarchic humour of the Crazy Gang.

All the members portraying the Gang joined in with a comic will and vitality giving the gags the necessary speed — the pantomime drag "Principal Boys" was a highlight.

Susan Oldtield gave a tuneful episode of Florrie Ford's music hall standards. The chorus joined in with a will and the audience were encouraged to sing along with some of the better known numbers.
Your Rep was, of course, delighted to see a song Well Done, Gordon" in the programme but was disappointed to find it referred to Gordon Richards!

With an excellent pit orchestra led by Gary Carpenter driving the numbers along this was a most enjoyable evening.

BABES IN THE WOOD

Ellesmere Port Original Pantomime Company

Director: Joy McIntosh
Choreographer: Sharon Albino
M.D.: Craig Price

As both the Company and I celebrate our 70th year I think that EPOPC are in better shape than I am. Certainly their nicely traditional Babes in the Wood was an enjoyable evening though suggesting that NODA with my name stood for Naughty Old Drag Artist was a bit below the belt! l may do pro-panto but never the dame!

Plenty of music and movement with good costumes and scenery and a cast working hard to put more humour in to pep up the script. Laura Coard strutted her stuff well as Robin Hood and sang with a good modern voice. Gill Rigby made the most of Maid Marion and the Babes were played by a confident pair of youngsters, Zara Myatt and Coral Mourant.

Ian Devereux-Roberts involved the audience well as Simple Simon, and Ian Hughes was a good traditional Dame as Nurse Glenda Glucose. As the evil Sheriff of Nottingham, Brian Povey gave an enjoyable O.TT, performance, getting the boos at every entrance. His reluctant assistants, Steph Price as Dennis the Menace and Liz Legerton as Slippery Sam (a very nice comic performance) carried oft their knockabout humour well. Daniella Heywood was the forest sprite, Alfred Acorn. The Merry Men (Persons?) were Polly Rogerson, Beryl Rigby, Viv McKay and Chris Nall-Evans, with a brief appearance from Paul Henson as King Richard.

The chorus moved well and I particularly enjoyed the leaf dropping scene in the forest and the May-pole at the Goose Fair.

ROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS

Stage One 2000

Director: Brenda Davies
Choreographer: Allinson Moffitt
M.D.: Hickey Molloy

It is always a pleasure to see something new and this talented youth company have widened my horizons three times in the last four years. Each time they have given a great deal of enjoyment and this performance was no exception. Light hearted and amusing with plenty of musical moments it was a rapid whistle stop tour of the world with the Jules Verne characters.

As ever the young performers gave well acted and sung characterisations, none more so than Andy Moorhouse as the intrepid English traveller, Phineas Fogg, well supported by an exuberant performance from Phil Connolly as Passepartout. As the evil Captain Fix, trying his best to disrupt the adventurers, Edward Dove also gave a fine portrayal.

Jessica Tomlinson was the attractive love interest as Princess Aouda and there was a good characterisation from Jenny Foulds as the prim amd proper Miss Fotherington.
J. P. Birss provided his usual excellent characters as Barnum and Hitch and his number 'Life Here in the Wilderness" with the chorus of Mormon wives was one of the high-spots.
Fiona Lane was Passepartou's fiancee Katie and led her team of showgirls well in the dance numbers.
Lesser characters all made their mark and the chorus with an age range of 9 to 18 entered into the spirit of things well.

With everything provided in-house this was an example of youth theatre at its adventurous best deserving increased support from the established senior companies.

CINDERELLA

Lifeline Productions

Director: Diane Smith
Choreographer: Brenda Robertson

A small Theatre, a homespun production, but no lack of enthusiasm or audience enjoyment from this annual Lifeline Pantomime. Totally in-house and with limited resources they still give much enjoyment to their locality as well as raising sums for charity.

Most of the traditional characters plus a few others were appearing and many were played by the stalwarts of other Lifeline shows.

Untraditionally Katie Peers and Joanne Sutton, revelling in the opportunity to change appearance and personality played the Ugly Sisters. No Baron Hardup but a malevolent Stepmother from Diane Smith and an engaging Buttons from Brenda Robertson. The love interest was catered for by a Daisy Evans as a sweet Cinders and Kate Wyer as Prince Ricardo. Regular with this as with several societies, George Jones did well in the small role of Smart the Palace Servant. Caroline Sutton was a cheeky young Princess Caroline with Lesley Selby as Queen Marcia and John McGovern as King Henry. The Fairy Godmother was Marie Harrison.

Senior and Junior choruses gave their all and the three tiny mice are worthy of mention. With plenty of lively music added the full house was well entertained.
E.K.

CINDERELLA

Chrysanthemums Pantomime Society

Director: Julie Delaney
Choreographers: Diana Railton and Emma Warrington
M.D.: Norman Scott

This was the 85th production from this talented Society, specialising in Panto all these years. As one of the oldest, if not the oldest, such companies they have brought and continue to bring much pleasure to their area of the Wirral and have introduced many youngster to the pleasure of the stage. Indeed in this production alone there were 42 youngsters in their traditional dance groups of Buds, Petals, Blossoms and Blooms.

This was a traditional Cinderella with the addition of a Baroness Hardup (Sarah Jackson) to heap even more distress on poor Cinders!

As always the cast was uniformly good with many stalwarts of the Society appearing. A sweet Cinderella from Roxanne Male was wooed by The Prince Charming 01 Jenni Cartwright (thank goodness the pro approach o1 some soap male providing the love interest was ignored).
There was a pleasing Dandini from Emma Warrington, who also was part of the panto horse with Diana Railton. Gill Fenny was the Fairy Godmother.

Graharn Leigh as Verucca and Jed Flowerday as Hernia thoroughly enjoyed themselves as the Ugly Sisters and Alan Bell was Baron Hardup. The lovelorn Buttons was played by Robert Southworth.
With a tuneful score excellently driven along by Norman Scott on the organ and lively dancing from the various age groups we were treated to a most enjoyable evening of Panto fun.

The beautiful in-house constructed coach along with the Shetland pony was a particular bonus.

ALADDIN

St. Alban's Players

Director: Paddy Saul
Choreographers: Nicola Mossman and Zo McCrudden
Musical Director: Billy Hui

Another bright home-made panto from St. Alban's. After a lively chorus opening we were soon into the fun with the non-stop action of Keith Simpson's Lily Savage-like Widow Twankey, aided and abetted by the comic capers of Felicity Saul as Who Flung and Maureen Peers as Flung Dung (subtle panto isn't!).

There was a lively Aladdin from Julie Wilde and an evil, rather Fagin-like, Abanazar from Mike Lockley. Young Cleo Davies, as WisheeWashee, gave a nicely asssured performance.
In fact all the traditional elements of this favourite show were in place - cave, Aladdin's palace, Arabian Desert and good triumphing over evil. Danielle Jones was the Spirit of the Ring and Trevor Roberts gave us an amusing "camp" Genie. Aladdin finally captures his Princess, Charlotte Neary, and regains his fortune.

The Chorus and Sapettes all made their contribution.

Billy Hui led his lively group well but there were times when the balance between pit and stage could have been improved. This traditional show was much enjoyed by a good sized audience.

PETER PAN

Hoylake and West Kirby Theatre Group

Director: Peter Harris
Choreographer: Dawn Smith
M.D.: Michael J.Scott

The tragic loss of their President, Brian Miller, a few days before their panto version of Peter Pan opened was a matter of great sadness to everyone at HAWKS. He had also been Assistant Director for the production as well as assisting with the design and preparation of the scenery Dedication such as his will be sadly missed and it was appropriate that the show was dedicated to his memory.

Despite their obvious sadness none of this was communicated to the audience in this bright and enjoyable panto, well up to the standards achieved by this Society in recent years.

A uniformly good cast drove this favourite story along at a fine pace with a lively Peter from Am Founds and a nicely evil Hook from Pete Turner. As always Hook's incompetent pirates gave a lot of pleasure with Alan Earl as Smee and Stuart Clay as Starkey. Their opponents, the lost boys, were well characterised by Tracey Sprigings as Tootles, Josh Wilson as Curly, Harry Machray as Nibs and Jack Clarke as Slightly. We all clapped to save Tinkerbell played by Hannah Blake.

As Wendy, Karma Hilton gave an appealing performance with the able assistance of David McClenaghan as David and Samuel Roach (complete with teddy bear) as Michael. Mrs. Darling was Jan Oxton and Roy Hatfield combined Mr. Darling with the Crocodilel Rob Evans gave his usual strong comic performance as Liza, the Cook and Wendy Newton was Nana.

Dave Roylance had fun leading his Red Indian (Native American?) band with Lois Fonds as the adventurous Tiger Lily.

The chorus and dancers all made a strong contribution to this enjoyable evening of seasonal fun.
E K

HALF A SIXPENCE

Ellesmere Port Musical Theatre Company

Director: June Becket
Choreographer: Pam Watson
M.D.: Craig Price

I am always assured of a warm welcome at Ellesmere Port so I was sorry not to have enjoyed this show more. It appeared obvious that financial restraints had curtailed production values and the lack of adequate scenery (particularly the lack of a suitable back-cloth for the frequent promenade scenes) and a thin and, on the opening night, none too tuneful orchestra were inclined to distract from the good work of the major principals.

As Kipps, Gareth Anderson gave an excellent performance totally in command of the role, singing and moving well. He was complemented by the Ann of Laura Coard who added to her good portrayal a fine modern musical voice.

Tom Saban revelled in the role of the over-the-top actor/playwright, Chitterlow, adding the necessary humour to the show. Martin Hilton also did well as Sid Pornick, well supported by the Buggins of Chris Holmes and Barry Hickman-Germon's Pearce. Laura Hill came across well as Helen Walsingham, and Derek Rigby was a suitably Victorian Shalford.

Minor roles all performed adequately and the well dressed chorus made a good contribution, though chorus numbers could have benefited from better groupings at times.

MACK AND MABEL

Port Sunlight Players

Director: Colin McCarthy
Choreographer: Joanne Carr and Julia Whitehead
M.D.: Greg Williams

It is always a pleasure to be re-acquainted with a rarely seen show and especially one with the delightful score of Mack and Mabel.
How it flopped so badly on Broadway with stars such as Robert Preston and Bernadette Peters is hard to understand though the book is not of the quality of the score. The second act in particular seems to lose focus and does not do justice to the true sadness of Mabel's decline. That said though the show as performed by Port Sunlight provided a thoroughly entertaining and undemanding evening of nostalgia.

The show stands or falls by the two major protagonists and here Stuart Raphel as Mack and Victoria Burr as Mabel gave excellent performances, both acting and singing well. They were well supported by Joanne Carr as Louie and her "Tap Your Troubles Away" with the dancers was a high spot.

The show provides a number of cameo parts and company stalwarts such as Gerry Johnston as Frank, Asa Burton as Fatty Arbuckle, Alan Williams as Kleiman and Marj Lunt as Fox all made telling contributions. Phil Williams was William Desmond Taylor.

Smaller parts and chorus all acquitted themselves well and Director Colin McCarthy had marshalled his forces successfully to give an enjoyable evening to a nicely filled house.

Port Sunlight are to be congratulated on moving outside the usual musical repertoire.