May 2004 - Region 5 - Glyn Neary
BRIGADOON
Walmsley Church ADDS (Bolton)
The story of the blessed village that appears once every one hundred years and the two American hunters who become embroiled in village business was well presented by the society. The atmosphere was created by excellent sets, good lighting effects, costumes, props and more than acceptable accents from all concerned.
Mike Taylor was the very essence of the laid-back New Yorker Jeff, ever ready with the sharp riposte, whilst David Reeves and Adrienne Wormald blended well as Tommy and Fiona who provide the love interest in the storyline. Two well judged and finely drawn performances.
Kathy Turton created a memorable character as the fiesty, effervescent Meg Brockie (enough to scare the trews off any man) whilst Don Fairclough came across well as the diplomatic, dignified Dominie Mr Murdock who told the story of the miracle with due reverence. Both of Charlie Cameron's numbers were well sung by Clive Green and Paul Hancock's hostile, embittered Harry Ritchie was well portrayed.
Generally the chorus work was good giving a depth to the show whilst the choreography by Barbara Martin, despite the limited space, was quite expressive.
The whole production, under the direction of Nora Howcroft, was well conceived and Marjorie Hough's orchestra, including a 12 year old maestro at the keyboard, Ben Smith, played very well.
An excellent evening's entertainment one has come to expect from this society.
HONK!
Children's Amateur Theatre
An excellent choice for a youth group and what a splendid job they made of it. An inventive stage set and special effects provided an ideal backdrop to display their talents. A huge straw nest, enormous eggs from which the ducklings appeared and a very effective blizzard scene to mention but a few — very commendable.
There are, of course, many characters in the show and far too many to quote
individually in such a report as this. Suffice it to say that those who participated
gave good characterisations of their particular roles.
Foremost amongst them was Daniel Whitehead who gave a virtuoso performance
as the Bullfrog and James Eccleshare as the very stylish Cat.
Not far behind were Matthew Gavin as the indolent Drake, his overworked spouse Ida played by Rachael Whitehead and Ugly played by Scott Unsworth. Lowbutt and Queenie, played by Amy Sandiford and Katherine Davies, were vocally strong and the Wild Goose Chase was a well constructed number featuring Gareth Cunliffe as Greylag the Goose.
Ensemble work was generally well carried out and Director/Choreographer Louise Cohen, along with everyone else concerned with this production, should be well satisfied with the end result as signified by the applause from the delighted audience.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
St Philips Junior Workshop (Bolton)
A quite ambitious and challenging choice of show for a youth group who, with the assistaince of one senior member, managed a very creditable production. A great deal of time and effort had obviously been expended by Director Mina Kirkbright, Producer Graham Cohen and Choreographer Barbara Grant to reach this standard.
Performances of note came from Holly Ogden as the Mother Abbess who appeared totally at ease singing with a strong clear voice. She was ably assisted by the other sisters played by Fiona Gulshaw, Cara Yates and Rebecca O'Keefe.
Paul Walker coped well as the stern, starchy Captain Von Trapp whilst Bethany Wilde's performance as Maria Rainer showed much promise for the future. Louise Davenport was very good (better than some adults I have seen) as the sophisticated, worldly wise Elsa Schrader.
The Von Trapp children were played by two teams. On the evening I attended the group were well co-ordinated and tuneful as was the general chorus work.
Despite a couple of hitches the multipurpose set served its purpose well. All things considered the production team and the participants should be well satisfied with the end result.
It is good to see such a considerable pool of young talent being nurtured for the future by the society.
THE MIKADO
New Rosemere AOS
This excellent piece of theatre has variously been Hot, Black and Three Mile High amongst others. However, under the practised eye of Producer Rita Whitelaw this traditional offering was refreshed with a number of well conceived touches. Everywhere you looked quality was staring back at you.
Costumes, a mixture of Japanese and English, were bright and colourful
with colour co-ordination very
prominent in the chorus numbers. The Gentlemen of Japan, for instance, looking
like oriental versions of the man from the Pru.
The scenery was simple but effective with symbolic Japanese overtones whilst elements of traditional Noh Theatre added much to some of the production numbers. There were also some very good lighting effects to add to the illusion.
The jewel in the crown, to my mind, was the performance of Pat Kileen as
Katisha. What a stunning portrayal, complete with a superb voice, of this
matriarchal figure. Every nuance of the character was finely drawn. David
Jackson was also excellent, and in fine voice, as the pompous, aloof Pooh-Bah.
In complete contrast to his purposeful poise Tim Renshaw's Ko-Ko was exceedingly
animated. A fine comic performance that entertained the audience greatly
particularly with his updated and highly amusing "little list".
Tom Leyland was also in fine voice as the sedate Pish-Tush, Robert Peace made an imperious Mikado whilst the second trombonist Nanki-Poo, in his multi coloured "shreds and patches" costume, was well played by Clive Green. The trio of little maids were in the capable hands of Lisa Murphy as the demure, delectable Yum-Yum who was ably supported by excellent performances from Eleanor Molloy (Pitti-Sing) and Hannah Gent (Peep-Bo).
Ensemble work such as the Madrigal, sung by Lisa Murphy, Eleanor Molloy,
Clive Green and Tom Leyland, was of the highest quality whilst chorus work,
with excellent diction and singing, was crisply carried out.
The whole confection was supported by an excellent orchestra under the direction
of John Balshaw.
A production of great merit and a very satisfying evening for Bolton theatregoers.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
St Philips AODS (Bolton)
Whilst the show inevitably revolves around Tevye this production also possessed a handful of aces throughout the principal line up. From the opening number which was well sung, and since there was such a large chorus deftly manipulated by Choreographer Barbara Grant, to the final expulsion from Anatevka the production grabbed your attention and refused to let go.
Adrian Pollitt was totally convincing as Tevye. Characterisation, timing and command of the stage were all apparent in full measure. There was also a warmth in the character and total despair when a daughter marries outside the faith. Singing was strong but just occasionally the accent made the libretto a little difficult to hear.
Golde is not the easiest of parts to play but here Heather Ogden had a good understanding o1 the part and worked very well alongside Tevye.
The three daughters, played by Kathryn Henrys, Jenny Bowling and Holly Ogden looked good together, sang very well and gave individual performances of a high quality. Also good were Nick Larkin (Motel) and Paul Walker (Perchik) who looked right and put their numbers across well.
There was a splendid portrayal of Lazar Wolf by Ian Duckworth who obviously
relished being the richest man in the village whilst Sharon Morris captured
the humour of the matchmaker Yenta well enough.
Paul Stanley took the lead tenor part in the "Inn" scene as well
as the Constable, Barbara Platt moaned effectively as Frumah Sarah, Bert
Hallidy was the much be-whiskered Rabbi and Matthew Atkinson was effective
as Fyedka.
The music was adequately supplied on organ and drums under the direction of Frank Fielding the whole production being under the direction of Brian Lawson.
This was an excellent Fiddler which the audience appeared to appreciate greatly.
HUMPTY DUMPTY
Farnworth P.A.C.
Director: Paul Cohen
Choreographer: Denise Neary
This was a lively traditional panto, one of John Morley's who was the master of panto.
The characters were all well drawn from Humpty himself played very well by Murray Brindle to the King Eggbert who certainly was a hit with the children played by Andrew Alderton. His daughter the Princess (Gillian Allcock) looked the part and her Prince (Delaney Brindle) was super and had a voice which grabbed your attention, its so nice to hear good projection from young people. Gillian was completely at home on the stage.
Another excellent performance was that of Nicola Eagleton as the main baddie, Belladona the Sorceress, nothing could upset this attractive young lady and she showed how to react to first night problems and turned in a good performance to boot.
We also had the King's Men played by Bob Cornwall and the talented Ian Duckworth.
And finally only two things make a panto: the children and this had plenty on stage as well as in the audience and they were great.
Of course we then come to the Dame and this society are fortunate to have Peter Haslem who gets better each time I see him.
Extremely well done to you all.