May 2004 - Region 7 - Tony Adler
THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL
Rochdale AOS
Director: James Masters
Musical Director: Harry Butterworth
Choreographer: Janet Thiel
Chorus Master: lan Crabtree
Accompanied by many of my Regional Representative Colleagues and the Area Chairman, we attended the NODA N.W. Premier of this show and we all enjoyed it very much. We all had slightly different views about certain aspects of the show and the production but again, we all seemed to share the same view that the three leads were outstanding. I mention this particularly because without such outstanding talent (or at least equivalent talent) in the three parts, any other society which performs this show might not have so much success and might be disappointed.
The plot of The Scarlet Pimpernel is well known and the show is
quite well written and constructed.
The company loved the music (which like many new shows needs to be heard
several times to be appreciated which an audience does not have the opportunity
to do) but I noticed as the show progressed the applause became warmer and
more instantaneous.
To return to the three principals, Martin Roche in the title role was thoroughly convincing. He had had the opportunity of playing it previously which helped but his change in character and command of the stage were outstanding.
It would have been hard to find a better Marguerite than Anne Birchenough. Very attractive and about the right age to be in character, she was an ideal leading lady for this role whilst Gary Davis as the villainous Chauvelin made up a trio who played so well together.His acting was strong and in character and very much in the mould of a similar part in Les Mis. In fact, there were many Les Mis touches in this show whose popularity always surprises me because it does not reflect the most charming part of French history.
My only comment on the singing of all three would be to use adjectives varying from magnificent to superb. To ask the remainder of an amateur company to be in the same league would probably be asking too much but they all did their job and supported very well and it was nice to see the progress which Prab Singh has made as Marguerite's brother, Armand and to see the experience and talented Mike Conroy in the small character role of Robespierre.
The production and music were mainly excellent and the chorus supported well and whilst the Pimpernel's team was worthy of attracting leading players in their own right, nevertheless they acquitted themselves well. I would doubt if any amateur company could cast a supporting team of five people who would be worthy of principals in their own right. In stories based on the French Revolution, one does not expect many laughs or colourful scenery and costumes but they were present in parts.
Thank you Rochdale for a most enjoyable night's entertainment and introducing me (and many others) to a new show, playing it so well and creating such sparkling and stimulating entertainment.
GUYS AND DOLLS
Heywood A O and D S
Produced and directed by: Joanne Lord
Musical Director: David Abendstern
Choreographer: Jill McIntosh
I felt that Heywood put on a good production although I have a weakness for this show, particularly when it is performed superbly (which, with respect, is not very often) and I once had the pleasure of telling Frank Loessor this personally — or was it his wife -- my memory now plays tricks! I enjoy it even better for having read Damon Runyon and I wish audiences would do this also because I feel they would appreciate this excellent musical even better.
I felt Victoria Schofield as Adelaide did extremely well, bearing in mind that she is still a little youthful both in age and figure for the part of a lengthily engaged female with an imaginary collection of children. Also, perhaps her wig could have been a little more colourful (certainly not blonde) but I felt her performance was one of the best I have seen for a while and I enjoyed it.
Simon Pickup was a very workmanlike and likeable Nathan Detroit and turned in a much better performance than many more experienced players I have seen but perhaps without some of the extra finesse.
I felt Duncan Anderson did full justice to the part of Sky and was convincing and should be well satisfied whilst Anne Dickson was a competent and attractive Sarah which is not a part which some ladies find too easy to play. The support was good in the capable hands of Paul Allcock as Niceley-Niceley and Coralie Mooney as The Salvation Army General and, as always, I particularly enjoyed Des Cunliffe in the part of Arvide which he not only played competently but sang effortlessly and he was well cast.
The rest of the supporting company did well, particularly the dancers under the direction of Jill McIntosh and Joanne Lord did a fair job of directing her first adult show well assisted by David Abendstern whose musical direction and musicians did justice to the score.
I felt that some of the New York scenery could have been more imaginative and colourful but taking everything into account, I felt this was a fair and very enjoyable show.
DAZZLE
Whitworth A.M. and O.S.
Entire production Directed by: Andrew Kearns
Choreography: Kathy Grundy
This is not a show which I have previously seen and whilst my knowledge of the Starship Enterprize is not great, I did recognize the characters in this sendup.
I am not sure it it was written with youngsters in mind or whether an adult production (if intended) would have a different effect but "sendup' comedy is helped by stage experience and taking everything into account, I thought the young cast all did very well, particularly, but not exclusively, Adam Brown as Captain Sam Galactic and Gemma Daubney as Dazzle Star
I felt the music had limitations which did not help the performers but they worked very hard and will no doubt have enjoyed it and it was a team effort. I can only hope they will stay with Whitworth when they reach maturity if they do not move off to university or further afield.
The production was colourful and well staged and had a fair amount of imagination but this cannot have been easy. However, it was nice to see Whitworth back in action even at a junior level and I look forward to the next adult show. I will be particularly interested to see how they go with The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas - for personal reasons.
OLIVER!
Uppermill Stage Society
I suppose I am beginning to be a little brain dead so far as Oliver! is concerned, due to the number of occasions I have seen it in the last three years. Nevertheless, it is a good show with many fine points. It brings in the audience, provides a considerable number of interesting character roles, consists of some good and melodious tunes and introduces a lot of children to the stage.
Uppermill put on another sound production and every performer played a
full and workmanlike part.
Once again, I saw an excellent Fagin played by Peter Fitton and a strong
performance by Nicky Mead as Nancy who put her numbers over well and strongly.
Nicola Jeffrey-Sykes performed satisfactorily as the Widow Convey and was
well matched with Jason Sharp as Mr. Bumble who did all that was required
of him. Daniel Wild was as good as most of the other Divers I have seen and
played well with Joe Marsden as the Artful Dodger.
I have probably written enough about Pat Lowe and Mike Russell as the Sowerberrys over the years having seen them play these parts on many occasions but they are as good as ever — if a little older - and Richard Isles gave a good portrayal as the villainous Bill Sykes. Charles Hopwood as Mr. Brownlow, whose performance is always just about right on the nail, fairly summed up a good steady and enjoyable show and all the rest of the company backed the above players well.
Harry Butterworth, the M.D., knows the show well and it showed and Lesley Abbott could not have had a better assistant than Peter Wakefield for her debut as a director and they must both have been well satisfied.
DICK WHITTINGTON
Oldham Metropolitan AOS
Director and Choreographer: Dawn Leigh
Musical Director: Anthony Quimby
It is not the Society's fault that they performed their panto in March (due to availability of premises) and they know that it is very late in the pantomime season but the strength of their late entry into this "Art form" has been their comedy, team work and particularly their ability to make the pantomime fun which appeals to both young and old.
For whatever reason, the essential ingredients were not quite as evident this year although all the performers did their best. This society has had a regular team and the absence of one or two members of it certainly does not help and it is hoped they will find new blood (if necessary) to fill the gap that the others have left.
I think that they all did their best with a very limited script but they missed that little improvised nonsense that can make all the difference and it is so hard to add that something special when you are working from a less than ideal script. I felt that Dawn Leigh did her best with the material she had available whilst Anthony Quimby as Musical Director acquitted himself extremely well.
THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
Hope Entertainments Society
Producer: Anne Dobell
Musical Director: Joan Corser
This was a sound G & S without having the outstanding voices that this excellent musical needs to make it something special. This does not mean that the performances or that the principals singing were not good, merely that there was an absence of the old traditional G & S performers who would lift the show to a higher level than good with outstanding voices.
Everyone was competent in singing and acting and worked hard and well together
and Anne Dobell tried to inject some comedy into it with Mabel played by
Pam Bailey as a very studious daughter of whom Frederic, played by John Myers,
had second thoughts instead of falling at her feet and worshipping her
Mike Kennedy was a most amiable Major General whose performance attracted
sympathy as a deceitful orphan whilst Lynn Lee as Ruth and Andy Exley as
The Pirate King worked hard and successfully to fill their important roles.
Jack Rayner as the Sergeant of Police and his "Bobbies" might not
have filled David Blunkett with great confidence but carried their place
in the show with light hearted enthusiasm.
All the Chorus supported well and the children were well merged into the company. The orchestra which consisted of experienced G & S musicians who could play the score in the dark whilst taking a bath, were top class and did excellent justice to the musical score under the experienced baton of Joan Corser and led by Donald Clarke and they were a pleasure to hear.
I am sure the Society is looking for some new blood and I hope it appears because their G & S traditions are well known and their reputation is considerable.