January 2006 - Region 1 - John Flay
Steel Magnolias
Worsley Intimate Theatre
Director: Sarah Thorpe
This soap style account of life in a beauty parlour in tiny Chinquapin, Louisiana where gossip, smiles and tears are the dramatic structure. The director created ensemble playing which produced the right community spirit. Unfortunately, there wasn't much hairdressing going on. The Deep South accents were well maintained and didn't come between the actors and the dialogue.
Pamela Cranfield as Truvy in whose beauty parlour the action takes place was connected to the situation and her new member of staff, Annelle, played by Hannah Striblig, acquitted herself well. Truvy's clients were led by Sandra O'Nions as M'Lynn Eatenton who gave a commanding and moving performance as the mother who watches her daughter marry, have a child and suffers her death, a kaleidoscope of emotions.
Rachael Humphreys as Shelby, M'Lynn's daughter, breathed life into, and gave herself to, the character. Wendy Heydon was convincing as the wealthy Clairee and Ivy Griffiths maintained the status quo. It was a shame we didn't see her character, Ouiser, change from the cantankerous to a loveable old battle-axe.
All My Sons
PADOS Theatre Group
Director: Garyk Barnett
A play about guilt, family and survival, Joe Keller who, through selling cracked cylinder heads, killed twenty-one pilots, including his own son, was played skillfully by Brian Seymour. Rita Mayoh really got inside her role of Kate Keller blotting out any thoughts that her son was dead.
Tim Harrison playing Chris Keller who has to live in the shadow of the family secrets brought intensity to the character. His escape is to marry his dead brother's girl-friend, Ann, portrayed by Sarah Jane Price, who acted with grace and understanding. The neighbours (Daniel Clyne, Irene Lee, Simon Fletcher, Tare Legatt), neatly arranged on each side of the Kellers, who were the onlookers of this tragedy, gave fine support. The remaining cast, Richard Higson as George Denver and Jonathan Cassorn as Burt were in splendid form.
Once again a set was created giving the right atmosphere for the play's tragic journey. It was a shame the fallen tree, a symbol of Joe's fallen son, didn't stand out against the other trees.
Kiss Me Kate
South Manchester Amateur Operatic Society
Director: Nigel Machin
Musical Director: Cliff Grew
Dance Director: Zoe Hulme
Shakespeare re-told by that master of music and lyrics Cole Porter was revived by an energetic cast of over 42 set against scenery by Scenic Projects and costumed by The Pantomime Shop. Technically the scene changes were not as smooth as usual and the sound was at times intrusive. The director tried to up-date the action with mobile phones and make the character of Harrison Howell a military leader. This did not enhance the script and was a little confusing for the audience. The M.D. made sure the orchestra glistened with energy with a good reading of the score.
Martin Hulme (Fred Graham) and Rebecca Smith (Lilli Vanessi) were engaging and maintained credibility. Gangsters 1 & 2, Liam Hetherington and Joe Knight had fun 'Brushing Up Their Shakespeare' and Bill Calhoun (Ross Keeping) didn't behave for Lois. It was Dore Young as Lois Lane who gave the performance of the evening and the rest of the cast turned in ensemble performances.
This musical, where the action mirrors the play within, is one of the most challenging and this production captured the attention of the audience.
Annie
Urmston Musical Theatre
Director Christine Meadows
Musical Director Chris Hobson
Dance Director Christine Meadows
High-octane performances is the only way to describe the orphans. Their 'It's a Hard -Knock Life' with its percussion 'Stomp' style opening was delivered with aplomb. Their leader, Annie, played by Kirsty Hooper, brought all the right elements to the part endearing herself to the audience. The drunken, hard-headed matron, Miss Hannigan, was characterised by Christine Perry with Matthew Parsley as Hannigan's brother Rooster and Amy Brown as his gal Lily who all put their stamp on the production.
As Daddy Warbucks,. the industrialist millionaire, Clive McCoy was lacking in conviction. The character has a biography and that needed to be portrayed. Jill Ratcliffe as the all-efficient secretary Grace, Warbuck's right hand, brought all her experience to the role.
All the other character parts were presented with enthusiasm and there was strong chorus work. Direction was straightforward and the pace was driven by the M.D. who drew strong and detailed playing from the band. Finally Charades costumes and Scene Changes scenery made the right statement for this warm-hearted production.
The Sound of Music
St Luke's Arts & Drama Society
Co-Directors: Sonia Whittle & Jackie Beaumont
Musical Director: Ruth Megson
Dance Director: Sonia Whittle
This Rogers and Hammerstein offering was full of sparkle. The sisters of Nonnberg Abbey had exact diction, good singing and they all made significant contributions. Kate Davison gave the best interpretation of Maria Rainer I have seen and Paul Whittle made a particular impact as Georg von Trapp: their on stage relationship developed with honesty and truth.
The children were well rehearsed and a constant delight. 'Sixteen Going On Seventeen' Liesl, played by Natalie Grundy, acted in true unity with her siblings until Liesl comes into her own: we then saw the character turn into the young lady.
There were, in fact, strong performances all round. Sonia Whittle was interesting as Elsa Schraeder and Colin Powell played Max with equal effectiveness. They both moved the story along apace and the supporting ensemble was strongly cast. The technical aspects were good and the costumes were very suitable. All this made for a very enjoyable evening.
Sweet Charity
Sale & Altrincham Musical Theatre
Director: Mike Sammon
Musical Director: Ian Christenson
Dance Director: Neil Fallon
The casting is so important with this musical when so much relies on the actor who plays Charity. Kathryn Gorton gave a perfectly pitched performance as Charity and took the character though every stage of her attempts of 'desperately seeking love' with ease. Her last attempt is with the neurotic accountant, Oscar, comfortably portrayed by Stephen Stubbs.
One of Charity's relationship attempts is with Vittorio Vidal played by Gordon Kermode who struggled to find the Latin lover of all those films Vittorio made. All is going well for Charity until his girlfriend Ursula, nicely played by Michelle Bailey returns. Its back to the Fandango for Charity to take comfort with her two side-kicks Nickie (Emma Birch) and Helen (Rachelle Pantoja) who both delivered the goods 'Baby, Dream Your Dream'.
The other ensemble members, and the Fandango girls, all got under the skin of their characters. The production team and their cast created an entertaining evening full of attack and pace.
PRESENT LAUGHTER
Worsley Intimate Theatre Society
Director: John Cunningham
The setting was just right for this Noel Coward play with the obligatory wood-panelled playing area at the Worsley Court House.
John Cunningham had not been keen in the past to stage a Coward play but his attention to detail, together with his exacting style, may have made him think differently.
Garry Essendine, played by Simon Griffiths, brought the necessary sophistication to the production. Nick Dawson as Fred also provided a very good comedy foil. However, at the end, it was teamwork from each member of the cast and the production team that made the evening worthwhile for me.
After the performance many suggested to me that the play was up with the very best the society had ever produced!
It was nice to see Marjorie Foster (Chairman) at the performance. Marjorie has not been too well for a few months and I was happy to wish her well for the future. I know of many who would share this comment.