May 2004 - Region 11 - Edith Yates
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
Walney Amateur Operatic Society
This was a very professional production — thanks to David Marcus and his team.
Jesus was in the very capable hands of Malcolm Smith, and what a performance
he gave. The crucifixion was so real, it was played with the dignity and
compassion that is required from this part. The audience were quite spellbound.
Martin Craig was excellent as Judas and worked very well with Jesus. In tact
all the Apostles had been well cast and all had their own individual characters.
The difficult role of Mary Magdalene was convincingly played by Deborah Bird. The singing was very good throughout with a good supporting chorus.
The lighting plays a big part in this production, which was controlled by Gordon Crayston. Peter Dyer led the excellent orchestra, all adding up to a brilliant production.
THE WIZARD OF OZ
Morecambe Warblers A.O.S.
This production was a great success for new producer Liz Brewster. It was lovely for me to meet up again with Liz after some 20 odd years.
Dorothy is really the main character in this production and much of the success depends on her Hannah Peel carried off this role very confidently - she made a lovely Dorothy. Joan Sharpe gave her stage experience to Aunt Em, which she played with every confidence.
Good performances came from the Scarecrow (Stewart Scothern), Tin Man (Alan Strong) and the loveable Lion (Ian Newman), all kept their characters throughout and were well played.
David Liptrot played Joe, the farmhand, and doubled as the Wizard. Uncle Henry was played by Peter West, Margaret Wilkinson was good as the Sorceress, and again too many characters to name them all, except to say all had been well cast.
The Juniors had been schooled well as the Munchkins. Scenery was good and the costumes were lovely. Good choreography all added up to a splendid show.
AN INSPECTOR CALLS
Storth Entertainers
It is so good to see this splendid play once more available to amateurs after its huge success in the West End. Mike Cooper's production, in the round, was well staged, with the audience having time to register the wealth of the Birling family as the dinner table sparkled whilst we awaited the opening scene.
The story of the family's gradual realisation of the part each has played in the suicide of Eva Smith, as the Inspector reveals the thoughtless nature of the entire Birling household, is well known.
The Inspector, played by Harry Lowe, is the key to the plot; his character must show a quiet guile and perfect knowledge of the behaviour of this family towards Eva. This was somewhat lost in the ponderous deliberate style of delivery chosen for Inspector Goole. David Neve, as Arthur Birling, handled the numerous drinks he had, well, showing flashes of the pompous, self-conglatulatory character Priestley intended.
The two young family members, played by Steven Henneberry and Katherine
Gardner, handled their parts skilfully.
Eric, the young son, was well portrayed as weak and misguided, his sincerity
was genuine, gaining our sympathy. Sheila, his sister, was brought to life
cleverly, her realisation of the power of the Inspector made clear to the
audience as she tries to stop her mother, Mrs. Birling, from incriminating
Eric.
This was good ensemble playing, perhaps lacking in pace at times, but always
holding the attention of the audience.
My only reservation was the inclusion of mimed scenes to illustrate the individual
family member's involvement with Eva Smith.
These wonderfully written speeches should not need to be played out by mime groups as they give each actor the opportunity to hold the audience's attention without the distraction of a group of extra actors and a 'voice-over' commentary.
This was a well dressed, well staged production; the audience thoroughly
enjoyed its evening.
A.I
THE CARD
Abbey Musical Society
This is the first time I have seen this musical, so I didn't known what to expect. It is set in the Potteries in a mythical town of Bursley with Denry Machin (who is later known as "The Card") is the leading character, being full of ideas which all turn into money for him.
Ray Martindale and his team worked well with the scenery and the wardrobe ladies had down a splendid job with the costumes.
Denry Machin was played by Andrew Fullard who I felt was too 'over the top' on his initial entry, and coupled with the brass section of the orchestra playing too loud, it was difficult for Andrew to be heard and understood. However, he grew on me as he became more normal and he gave a very creditable performance.
Joan McKenzie played a wonderful role as Mrs Machin, she had good timing and and her facial expressions were very good.
Another good character was Tracie Roberts playing Ruth harp, with good comedy and lovely singing. The very dignified character of Countess of Chell was played by Jenny Shipley and she made a good job of her musical number 'The Countess of Chell'.
Lots of smaller parts had been well cast and all worked well.
Colin Smith must have been pleased with the end results, giving some lovely movements and groupings throughout.
CALAMITY JANE
Lancaster Red Rose Amateur Operatic Society
The title role of this production was admirably played by Karen Dawson, she was a credit and never faulted with the accent which she held throughout.
Very commanding was Geoff Houghton playing Wild Bill Hickock with a very pleasing performance. Good comedy came from Paul Knowles playing Francis Fryer, ably assisted by Kate Ashton playing Susan. Eleanor Manning had a good cameo role playing Adelaide. A very confident Katie Brown was played by talented Vanessa Whittle.
Good chorus routines were employed and everything was given to the musical
numbers especially 'The
Deadwood Stage' and 'Black Hills of Dakota'. I did like the number 'Careless
with the Truth'. Lots of smaller characters were correctly cast and all worked
well.
Once again another good production from Kathleen Kenyon. A good orchestra was under the baton of Joanna Jeffreys.
MY FAIR LADY
Grange & District Amateur Operatic Society
Christine Bell had worked very hard with the cast to bring about this excellent
production, she also choreographed the
show.
The demanding role of Higgins was in the capable hands of Derek Roberts
who gave an almost perfect rendition of the
character. Unfortunately for Derek the mikes picked up his every step which
sounded as though he was wearing tap shoes.
Good stage presence with lovely singing made Jennifer Archibald the right person to play Eliza, she gave a lovely performance.
Malcolm Higginson gave a good characterisation of Col. Pickering — this
is a difficult part to act doing nothing. Alfred P.Doolittle the loveable
rogue, was cleverly played by Mick Malkin, giving every confidence to the
character. Alan Boyes and Neil Scott playing Harry and Jamie were suitably
cast and added to a very strong cast of talented people.
Doolittle's two numbers 'With a Little Bit of Luck' and 'Get Me to the Church
On Time' certainly deserved the applause they received.
Jean Malkin gave a good performance as Mrs Pearce giving the character the sympathy and sincerity required. Good performances came from Ann Heap as Mrs Eynsford-Hill and Margaret Stockley as Mrs. Higgins.
Mark Jeffreys played a very confident Freddie Eynsford-Hill. Smaller pads had all been well cast with a good chorus and loveley movements, all adding up to an excellent production.
Not forgetting of course the delightful orchestra under the direction of Doreen Dunlop.
PAINT YOUR WAGON
Flookburgh and District Amateur Operatic Society
This show is not one of the more popular Westerns, but Flookburgh did justice to this production. It tells the story of the Goldrush in the 1800s, with good musical numbers like "Wand'rin' Star" and "They Call the Wind Maria". It is a show which requires plenty of men.
Gold is found by the young daughter of Ben Rumson so hence the name of Rumson Town. This found plenty of different prospecters coming to the town including a good looking Mexican who falls for Jennifer.
A very strong character was portrayed by Arthur Wilson playing Ben Rumson. His young teenage daughter, Jennifer, was delightfully played by Liz Purvin.
A Mormon family arrives in the town by the name of Jacob Woodling played by Mike Shannon with his two wives namely Elizabeth and Sarah (Deborah Powell and Dot Pass). These two ladies were different characters and both were played to the full, quite cameo roles.
Good chorus moves were executed and the dancers did well with a good 'Can-Can'.
Sue Little had done a sterling job with this production and Becki Perkins conducted a super small orchestra. Overall a very pleasurable evening.
RUDDIGORE
Kendal G & S Society
It was indeed a pleasure to cover a show outside my area, when I visited Kendal G & S Society for Ruddigore. I am a G & S fan through and through, and I felt exhilarated at the end of the Kendal performance. Everything they did seemed to be right — casting, singing & dialogue, movements and groupings, sets and staging, orchestra — the lot!
Ruddigore is not one of the popular G & S works, and is very definitely a period piece. However, if societies can initially get the public along, they will love what they see!
The casting was most impressive with the diction of Derek Bamber as Robin Oakapple being outstanding in this difficult role. In fact all the men spoke and sang very well.
In the ladies I liked the character of Mad Margaret especially, played by Vanessa Andrew. The part rides a difficult balance to convey genuine eccentricity as opposed to broad pantomime.
Rose Maybud in the hands of Lorna Sherrin was sweetly played, and she combined well with the men in their ensemble numbers.
Chorus work was also excellent and all made a wonderful sound in the finales.
The sets were constructed and painted by the society, and were quite superb in their quality and suitability (especially the portrait scene).
John Perrin was a sensitive and lively conductor giving exact cues to each section. The direction of this talented society was by Sandra Bamber, and I'm sure that all these good things mentioned didn't happen by chance! A tight control was evident throughout and all combined to give one of the best Ruddigores I've seen.
Many congratulations on the standard — a fine night for me.
P.D.H.
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
Garstang Theatre Group
Director & Dance Director: Avril Bevan
This well staged show was due to the expertise of the stage manager Tony Yates and his crew. The stage was limited in its facilities but this was overcome with clever ingenuity including a giant, rising beanstalk and castle scene. The scripts by Leonard Caddy (NODA) had most of the pantomime ingredients which were put across well by the large and enthusiastic cast.
Fairy Flintspark (Anne Lang) and Eustace Clotworthy (Louise Bartlett) led the comedy of the piece. It was so nice to see a proper dame: Steve Dobson as Poppy was a fella in a skirt and not an excuse for a drag act.
Sarah Dobson and Sarah Gardner were very pleasant as Princess Carotene and Jack. In this panto we have a Wizard played by Hannah Gregson and a Witch played by Mary Bateson who both worked hard for their "hisses and boos".
Those mentioned could not have done it alone without all the other characters and chorus making their mark which made this production a treat for a lively audience.