September 2006 - Region 8 - David Parkes
WHITE HORSE INN
Trinity AOS, Congleton
Director: Geoffrey Saunders
Musical Director: Ian Pickford
Choreographer: Liz Carden
A blast from the past and what a pleasure to become re-acquainted with
a 1930's musical with so many lovely melodies from Robert Stolz and Ralph
Benatsky. Who cares if the story line is about as credible as a pantomime,
the audience loved it.
All the principals were in fine voice, with Lesley Davies as Josepha
- the owner of the White Horse Inn - wearing her heart on her sleeve
for the solicitor Valentine Sutton played by Craig Young much to the
distress of Leopold, the love lom Head Waiter, played with a good deal
of sangfroid by Richard Wain.
Other arrivals at the Inn included John Ebenezer Grinkle, a Lancashire underwear manufacturer - a gift of a part for David Martin - and his daughter Ottoline delightfully played by Sarah Francis whose charms attracted the attentions of Valentine Sutton, much to the relief of Leopold and to the dismay of Josepha.
Further complications arose following the arrival of Sigismund Smith, the balding son of Grinkle's arch rival in the underwear manufacturing business (Andrew Jones) who fell for the lisping Retell (Hannah McAllister) the daughter of a somewhat dotty professor (Nigel Evans). Meanwhile Grinkle was under the impression that Sigismund was to become engaged to his daughter Ottiline thereby paving the way for a lucrative business merger. All was sorted out after the wise words of the Emperor (Peter Sutton) persuaded Josepha that her future lay with Leopold.
There were nice cameo roles from Laura Matthews as Kathi the Postwoman, and John Beech as Karl the piccolo waiter at the Inn.
The chorus numbers were well sung with brightly choreographed routines
and the single scene set gave the stage crew a well earned break.
I was so pleased that the audience bucked the annoying trend of chattering
through the overture and instead listened intently to the tuneful performance
from Ian Pickford's eighteen piece orchestra.
A thoroughly enjoyable evening's entertainment. Congratulations all round.
42nd STREET
Zodiac AOS
Director/Choreographer: Barbara Worrall
Musical Director: Michael J Scott
Tap Choreographer: Carla Speers
A fast moving production that placed great demands on the society's capabilities with a vigorous extravaganza of dancing routines and chorus numbers in addition to the story line maintained by a fine group of principals.
Eve Leather excelled in the role of the wannabe Peggy Sawyer, admirably
partnered by Brian Howlett as Billy Lawlor. Joe Youds celebrated his
20 years with the Zodiacs with arguably the best performance of his career
as Julian Marsh and Valarie Ball was in her element as Dorothy Brock.
The minor principals were well cast, the well costumed chorus and dance
routines were brightly executed and the stage settings were good, but
for me a highlight of the production was the orchestral accompaniment
by the eight-strong Manchester Stage Ensemble, comprising students from
the RNCM and Lymm High School under the baton of Michael J Scott which
was spot on in every aspect.
A good evening's entertainment. Congratulations to all involved.
LIFE IS A CABARET
Alderley & Wilmslow AOS
Director: Ali Davenport
Musical Director: David Bradford
Choreographer: Julie Parton.
A well planned programme of song and dance numbers giving an insight into the changes in musical entertainment over the past one hundred years with a lively opening sequence from the heady days of the Victorian Music Hall putting the sell-out audience in just the right mood to enjoy the evening.
A 1930s scenario followed featuring some rarely performed numbers from the decadent days of pre-war Berlin leading into the more familiar songs of the 1940s bringing the first half of the programme to a close with a lusty sing-along session with enthusiastic participation from the vociferous audience.
The second half presented popular numbers from both popular and less well known Broadway and West End shows culminating in a full cast show stopping finale.
The A & W AOS has developed an expertise in performing this style of entertainment and it is most pleasing to see new members being encouraged to join the established society members in these productions.
CALAMITY JANE
Vale Royal AOS
Producer/Choreographer: Steve Coles
Musical Director: Eileen Stringer
In addition to the production and the choreography, Steve Coles took on the leading role of Wild Bill Hickock. Together with his wife Caroline in the title role and Mike Bradley as Lt. Danny Martin they headed up a lively and entertaining show.
Chris Wych was the perpetually harrassed Henry Miller, Hayley Preece his charming niece Susan and Alan Cooper played the gender bender Francis Fryer, displaying a pair of pins that any chorus girl would be proud of.
Liz Cassidy played the star performer and cigarette card pin up Adelaide Adams subsequently impersonated by Emma Johnson in the role of Katie Brown.
The chorus numbers were well presented complimented by Proscenium's stage settings.
The musical numbers moved at a good pace with tuneful accompaniment from Tim Dowson (piano), Jan Bartai (Keyboard) and Scott Baker (percussion)
An enjoyable evening's entertainment. Well done.
THE MERRY WIDOW
Warrington Light Opera
Director: Juliet Miles
Musical Director: Steve Raynor
The Manchester Opera Orchestra: Leader - Kay Thomas
In only its third venture outside the realms of G & S since 1970 - apart from the Christmas Galas - the WLO trod new ground by performing The Merry Widow for the first time.
Having seen, and performed in, a considerable number of productions of Franz Lehar's well known operetta, this production was the first I have seen performed "in the round" and very effective it was backed by the excellent Manchester Opera Orchestra.
A sparkling performance by Karen Dyble as the Widow was well matched by the Danilo of Simon Miles. The role of the cuckolded Baron Zeta was in the more than capable hands of Kevin Prendergast with Julia Kindon in fine form as his flirtatious wife Valencienne revelling in her scenes with the hapless Camille well sung by Stephen Othen.
The scheming Njegus was well played by Ian Whitfield, and the couplings of Ruth Drury and Malcolm Kindon (Olga and Kromov), Rosemary Prendergast and John Alvey (Praskovia and Pritsch), Lavinia Lunt and Frank Brady (Bogdanovitsch and Sylvia) worked well as did the pairing of Tom Drury and Julian Hatcher as the competing suitors Cascada and St. Brioche.
In her programme notes the director mentions the challenge presented by the cast being required to dance, sing and act - at the same time - an attribute displayed admirably by the accomplished cast. I was particularly taken by the delicately choreographed Driving in the Park number which is usually performed by Anna and Danilo being seated on a bench.
The production was well costumed by Homburgs with the Grisettes' costumes designed and made by Karen Dyble and Juliet Miles - hidden talent indeed.
A most enjoyable production. I hope that it is not too long before the WLO extend their repertoire beyond the Savoy Operas.
THE WIZARD OF OZ
Buttonwood Amateur Music & Drama Society.
Director: Judith Maffitt.
Musical Director: Sid Houghton
Choreographer: Linda Cole
Producer : Brian Maffitt
A most enjoyable presentation of this well known favourite for young and old alike with fine performances from teenaged Elizabeth Jones as Dorothy and Stuart Slater, Derek Orr and Peter McConnell as the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman and Cowardly Lion respectively. Anne Fackey and Tracy Morrison contrasted well as the good and wicked witches, as did Sue Sefton and Joe Ewen as Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. Alan Litton did well as the eponymous Wizard.
Fine support was provided by a large cast of minor principles and chorus with well devised routines and a delightfully choreographed ballet scene featuring Elizabeth Coop and Megan Frith. Costumes were good and the musical accompaniment of keyboard and percussion by Sid Houghton and Tony Mills was just right in volume and tempo.
A highlight of this production was the stage setting which was enhanced by newly acquired aluminium staging, lighting and sound equipment funded by a grant from the NCB Regeneration Fund and which will be shared by Buttonwood's proposed two mini-theatres at St. Michael's and the Catholic Club. An admirable achievement indeed which reflects well on the dedication and enthusiasm of all those involved.
Thank you for your customary welcome and hospitality.
GUYS AND DOLLS
Centenary Theatre Company
Director: Neil Townsend
Musical Director: Jill Hyde
Choreographer: Betty Hall
Another first class fast-moving production from this multi-talented theatre company that seems to go from strength to strength since their move to the Brindley Theatre.
A lively rendition of the Fugue for Tinhorns, featuring Michael Mullan as Benny, Mike Hall as Rusty and Dan Grimes as the sound-alike Stubby Kaye in the role of Nicely Nicely Johnson, was followed by a stirring parade of the Mission band led by Colin Magenty as the drum banging Arvide Abernathy.
Michelle Taylor and Mark Hemmings both put in excellent performances
as Sarah Brown and Sky Masterson combining well in the complexity of
the roles as did Seb Farrell as Nathan Detroit with Jane Rigby - following
up her NODA Best Drama Actress award as Sheila Wendice in Dial M
for Murder, and an outstanding portrayal of the long-suffering Sandra
in Brassed Off - demonstrating her considerable musical talent
as Miss Adelaide .
All the minor principal roles were well cast and the well known musical
numbers were delivered admirably with lively choreography and the customary
fine accompaniment from Jill Hyde's orchestra.
An outstanding production with which all concerned should be justly proud.
DISCO INFERNO
Congleton Amateur Youth Theatre
Director: Andrew Jones
Musical Director: Richard Tadman
Choreographer: Alison Beech
A new version of the Faust legend set in the 1970s was well presented by this NODA NW award winning youth group. The action was set in the "Disco Inferno" dance club where wannabe pop singer Jack is having to work late at his cleaning job to make up for time he has lost through attending singing auditions although it his 21st birthday and his girlfriend Jane and friends Tom and Maggie are waiting to celebrate with him. He receives a visit from Lady Marmalade who, working for the devil in the guise of Nick Dialog, persuades Jack to exchange his soul for fame and fortune - which he does. Whilst his singing career brings him fame and fortune it is at the expense of loosing the love of his life and his friends but by the time he realises this the Devil wants his soul!
The show abounds in well known songs of the seventies (well known to those of us at a certain age) which were performed with verve and freshness to lively accompaniment.
The large cast was led by Jak Thompson as Jack, Elizabeth Seaton as his girlfriend Jane, Josh Cartlidge as his friend Tom, with Emma Greystone as Tom's girlfriend Maggie. Emily Purdham was the inveigling Lady Marmalade with Jordan Swindells as the evil Nick Dialog and Mark Beresford as Duke, the club owner. Fine support was provided by the numerous minor principles and well drilled chorus members in vigorously choreographed routines.
The multiplicity of scenes, twelve in each act, was well handled and the show was accurately costumed in clothing of the era.
A new show well worthy of consideration for performance by other youth groups. Congratulations all round.
GEL
Vale Royal Juniors
Producer/Choreographer: Sharon Caffery
Musical Director- Eileen Stringer
The story line presents a very familiar present day situation, that of a youth group (The Meadowlands Youth Theatre) preparing for its latest production whilst having to contend with disruptions from a street gang leading to fights and arguments between the two groups and the eventual trashing of the youth club. To protect themselves and their property from further attacks, the youth club members take lessons in martial arts culminating in a different outcome to their next meeting with the gang and a happy reconciliation.
Although this is a modern show in a modern setting it contains some historical aspects with the cast putting a lot of energy into the opening number and working hard to provide lively entertainment on a very hot and sultry evening. The show, written by Malcolm Sircom contains some lovely songs which were performed to good accompaniment.
The principal characters delivered their lines with confidence and the minimalistic set alternating between the Meadowlands Art Centre and Mill Street worked well. Costumes were very effective and congratulations go to all the production team and the cast for putting on such an enjoyable show.
Elva Parkes.
DAZZLE
Mid-Cheshire AOS Juniors
Director: Adrian Billinge
Asst. Director: Ingrid Cleverly
Choreography: Debbie Sutton
This production was remarkable not only for the standard of the performances by the talented cast but for the technical brilliance of the staging and set design by the team led by the Director - a former member of the MCAOS Juniors - who was also responsible for the musical orchestrations.
Outstanding performances were achieved by the crew of the starship "Sunburster One", Tom Lightfoot as Captain Sam Galactic, Laura Hadaway as Alura Link, Molli Markland as Pearl Pacemaker, Freya Sutton as Lolita Laser, David Brook as Mr Speck, Daniel Hadaway as Mr Suey, Will Barron as Mr Paddy and Sam McCormick as Mohammed McToxic with Emily Hack delightful as the heroine Dazzle Star.
Unfortunately Emily was struck down by a 24 hour bug in the middle of the week, whereupon her sister Rachael - who was not in the cast - stepped into the role for a single, brilliant show saving, performance.
In common with many shows intended for performance by Juniors, the cast included a multitude of minor principal characters all of which are important to the plot but are too numerous to attribute individually. These were performed to a very high standard and reflected the dedication and attention to detail by all concerned.
A good tempo was maintained throughout the musical numbers with lively choreographed routines and the costumes, many of which were kindly loaned by the neighbouring Vale Royal Juniors, were good.
FROM STAGE TO SCREEN
Cheshire Operatic & Dramatic Youth Set
Producer: Nick Cupit
Directors: Nick Cupit, Irene McGee
Musical Director: Craig Stewart
In the midst of the July heat wave the temperature inside the Brindley Theatre was raised even higher by this non-stop performance by a multi-talented seventy four strong cast of youngsters aged between eleven and nineteen(dish). Surprisingly, the Brindley auditorium is not air-conditioned and with so much fanning of programmes by the audience it was a wonder that the place did not take off!
The programme, wisely, did not individualize performances and it would be invidious for me to try to apportion praise for any particular achievement. There was a depth of talent in all aspects, be it close harmony or massed voice singing, specialised modern or traditional dancing, or stunning solos. All were accomplished by polished performers in a well planned routines. The outstanding choreography was by six young ladies all of whom were in the cast.
The single set of Prosceneium's Hello, Dolly! staircase augmented by a well designed and executed lighting plot provided admirable staging for the entire production. Costuming such a large cast was a mammoth undertaking and was most effective.
The programme contained sixty-three items, and whilst this made for a lengthy show, the pace was such that it was not so noticeable and it fully deserved the standing ovation it received from the appreciative first-night audience.
This was a fitting celebration of the tenth anniversary of the formation
of CODYS. With the talent displayed by the performers and the dedication
of the creative team the future of musical theatre in the Warrington
area is in safe hands. Congratulations to all concerned.