January 2005 - Region 11 - Edith Yates
THE SECRET GARDEN
Ulverston A.O.S.
This was a musical I had never seen before, but believe me, I wasn't disappointed with the end result. It was a first class production under the direction of Brenda Hindle, and Doreen Dunlop led a good orchestra. The music. although not well known, was very pleasing to listen to.
This is story which starts in India in the early 1900s and then comes to Misselthwaite in Yorkshire. 10 year old Mary Lennox, excellently played by Tyne Redfern, is orphaned in India when her parents both died of cholera. Mary is sent to England to be with her rich uncle Archibald Craven, who owns a 100 room mansion. She is met at the station by Mrs Medlock who is the strict housekeeper played by Barbara Springthorpe who made an excellent character. Martha, Mary's maid, is played very strongly by Brogan Rae Anderson. Mary and Martha are both young girls and both have got voices far beyond their years. They will certainly soon become leading ladies. Paul Williamson, another youth with a good voice, makes friends with Mary and helps her find the key to the Secret Garden. Russ Palmer played Archibald Craven with every confidence as usual. Colin (Archibald's son) was played by Luke Mooney. He was the young boy who was in bed throughout, and he acted this very well. His Doctor was confidently played by Allan Lewis. Bill Springthorpe played the gardener with all sincerity. Sue Little played the Headmistress and was much at home with this character.
This was a very well cast show with all the principals, together with the ghosts from the past. The furniture had been cleverly thought out as were the costumes. Thank you Ulverston for a very pleasant evening.
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS
Walney Junior AOS
This is a junior society and the producer Lisa Sharrock had her work cut out with so many children, but they had all been very well schooled and they knew how to sing. Ian Bird kept the small orchestra well under control.
Talented Paul Williams played Jean Passapartout. I did like his number 'Passapartout' along with Katy (played by Paige Brook) and the chorus. With 19 principals it is very difficult to name them all only to say they had been well cast and carried off their characters with every confidence.
The dancing was delightful and they were well trained by Graham Barker.
The costumes were all made by the society and these were very authentic for the various scenes. The good lighting helped with the different moods. Altogether a very good evening's enjoyment. Well done Walney Juniors.
I look forward to next year when you are producing Les Misérables.
CRAZY FOR YOU
Kendal AOS
Kendal did justice to the Gershwin music and the new producer, Kerry Hartin, must be congratulated for her excellent choreography.
The story opens in New York where Bobby Child (excellently played by Paul Knowles) is sent by his rich mother (Alison Airey) to close down the Theatre in Nevada. Here he meets Polly Baker (delightfully played by Lauren Storer) with whom he falls in love. In order to win her heart he pretends to be Bela Zangler, who is the established producer from New York. This is fine until the real Zangler (David Eddowes) arrives.
All the principals had been very well cast and worked hard. The comedy came from the English Tourists, Eugene and Patricia Fodor played by Steve Hall and Meril Bull. Excellent dancing came from the Follies Girls. Not a lot for the chorus, but they dressed the stage well when required. Several little hold-ups with the scenery changes but I know what difficulties they have at the Brewery Arts Theatre.
RAGTIME
Walney Musical Theatre Company
This was a very challenging show and was a stunning production — thanks to David Marcus. Ragtime takes you back to New York in the early 20th century where immigrants and the resident coloured people are struggling against poverty and injustice.
I don't really know where to begin, so I'll start with the Mother (Eileen Lithgow). Eileen played this part splendidly carrying off the character to perfection, she gave a very dignified performance with excellent singing.. The Father was in the capable hands of Russ Palmer, who gave his usual great performance.
Mother finds a coloured baby in her garden and she traces the mother of the child and befriends them. Her husband doesn't like this idea, but her brother played by Chris Warby warms to the coloured people. The father of the abandoned baby is found and wants to marry the mother. This character (Coalhouse Walker Jnr) was wonderfully played by Antonio James and the child's mother, Sarah, was played by Janice Williamson. What beautiful singers this couple were. 'Wheels of a Dream', sung by Coalhouse and Sarah, was wonderful to listen to — you could hear a pin drop. Another super character was Tateh played by Martin Craig, together with the delightful 'little girl' played by Lottie Clay. The little boy was suitably played by Ben Simon.
The cast over the various eras had all been well chosen and everyone worked so well together. There was no weak link anywhere. The coloured cast had to be imported, and were from Wolverhampton, Birmingham and Manchester. These were a good find and what lovely people they were. This was a production that certainly deserved the standing ovation they received after the finale with not a dry eye in the house and several curtain calls.
Finally we were treated to a performance from the gospel singers with several numbers. The whole evening was not a musical as such — more of an experience. I have just one minor complaint — I couldn't read the programme because of the colour — sorry!
An Evening of Entertainment
Pilling Drama Group
Pilling certainly gave a good evening's entertainment with two one-act plays and a quiz.
A visit from Miss Prothero
This was a play with just two characters. John Savage playing Mr Dodsworth and Anne Curwen playing Miss Prothero. Mr.Dodsworth had just retired from his position of office manager, and he is visited by Miss Prothero who gives him all the news from the office. Some news was welcome and some he didn't really want to know. Both characters were suited to the parts played and the play was well produced by Jenny Blyth.
Face the Music
This play relates to behind the scene happenings during a dance competition, and is set in the ladies' powder room. The actions which takes place are all what happens (or shouldn't) during the performance, like lost shoes, wrong bags, and missed entrances. Jean Curwen gave her usual performance trying to keep the contestants in order. The five contestants were Evadne Sanders (Linda Green), Freda Alcutt (Barbara Briggs), Roslyn Palmer (Jenny Blyth), Valerie Pinkerton (Barbara (Daisy) Haslem) and Conchita Alvara (Christine Davies). All were quite different and many laughs came with their antics.
The characters had been well cast and very well acted, it was well costumed with adequate scenery.
Maureen O'Reilly must have been very pleased with the end result. This was a good evenimgs emtertainment.
THE MIKADO
Staveley AOS
For its 50th anniversary the company chose "The Mikado" or (The Town of Titipu). One of the most popular, if not the most popular, of the Savoy operettas.
As one would expect from this company the scenery was first class. The production and musical direction were both in the capable hands of Doreen Dunlop, who also played in the orchestra of The Mikado for the first Staveley show fifty years ago. The chorus were well drilled and performed well under severe space restrictions, at various times there were thirty plus principals and chorus on stage.
The principals were well rehearsed, carrying out their roles with enthusiasm and competence.
The highlight for me was Terry Sykes' interpretation of the character Pooh-Bah; he milked every nuance of comedy out of the role and had the audience where he wanted them. Sadly, Pam Morrow, Katisha, is hanging up her costume and throwing her make-up in the bin (so she says!) Pam has made the part of Katisha her own and this was no exception.
All in all a very creditable and happy show by everyone involved,
the actors, musicans, front of house, tea persons and ticket sellers.
This is a very friendly society and I am sure they cannot wait to start
rehearsing next years production The Yeoman of the Guard.
(Donald MacPherson)