September 2006 - Region 11 - Edith Yates
RUSH
Barrow A.O. & D.S.
This was the UK Premier of this Amateur production and and artistic director, David Marcus, pulled out all the stops to make this show such a success that it was. I had no idea what to expect, but I certainly wasn't disappointed — I enjoyed every minute.
Set in Arrowtown, New Zealand this was a musical that told the very moving story of immigrant gold—diggers and their quest for instant fortune.
The Prospector was superbly played by Graham Parker, whose musical numbers unfolded the story. Duncan MacKenzie is a family man played by Martin Craig and he leaves for the diggings with the promise to return. Sarah MacKenzie (Duncan's wife) was delightfully played by Rachel Bird with lots of sincerity. Nathan (Mark Johnson) and Millie Hall (Deborah Bird) follow to the new world. Unfortunately tragedy strikes and Nathan is drowned in the massive flood.
Millie's character was perfectly portrayed. I am sure there wasn't a dry eye in the house with some of her scenes. Russell Palmer played the baddie Jackie O'Fea with every confidence as is usual from Russell. Even the rape scene was cleverly produced. Craig Mitchell played Joe Lawson, who befriends Millie, and this was well done with lots of sincerity. O'Fea's nephews, Bill and John Lomax played by Craig Brown and Phil McIntosh, were good baddies! Smaller characters had been well cast and overall this was a very good, moving, production. The costumes were excellent.
The music is not well known, but Peter Dyer led an excellent orchestra with good chorus numbers.
OLIVER!
Garstang Theatre Group
Producer / Choreographer : Christine Bell
Musical Director : Pauline Wright
It was a full house the night I came to see this popular Lionel Bart musical. In the title role, Oliver Price gave a convincing performance, he looked the part and had a pleasant singing voice.
Joshua Wigley as the Artful Dodger was a natural, he just oozed confidence, and his singing of 'Consider Yourself' with Oliver and company was great. Fagin played by Brian Yates was always in safe hands. He gave a good characterisation of this wily old rogue. Kath Dobson made an excellent Nancy. She has a good stage presence, sang well, and really got into the character. She was well supported by Beth Winstanley as Bet. A strong performance came from Dan Crossley as the brutish Bill Sykes. Joseph Clark as Mr Bumble, and Ruth Hilson as the conniving Widow Corney, worked well together, as did Terry Underdown and Susan Sloman as the dour undertakers, the Sowerberrys.
A special 'well done' must go to the well trained set of boys and girls
playing the workhouse urchins and Fagin's gang. It was obvious from the
start how hard these youngsters had worked. I also thought the street
crier's 'Who Will Buy?' did well.
All the smaller parts were well portrayed with some very nice cameo performances.
The chorus members looked as if they were enjoying themselves especially in 'Oom-Pah-Pah'. The costumes looked good, and the set as always was excellent.
I was told how good the other Oliver and Dodger were, they were performing
on different nights from the evening I came along, so well done boys.
This was a good production by Christine Bell. Thank you for an enjoyable
evening and for your hospitality.
K.E.0
HOT MIKADO
Lancaster A.O.D.S.
I went to see Hot Mikado performed by L A D O S. full of trepidation and as a died-in-the-wool Gilbert and Sullivan devotee, I was DETERMINED not to enjoy it. How wrong I was. From the moment the curtain went up I was enthralled. The whole production was a lively affair in which time meant nothing, in fact by the finale I could not believe that Act 1 was over.
The production team of producer Peggy Brierley, musical director, Angela Pearson and choreographer, Nicola Reid should be congratulated along with the whole cast. The chorus and dancers moved and sang well and appeared to be remarkably young. The choreography was simple yet effective and reflected the youthfulness of the choreographer. One of the things I liked was the lack of scenery which allowed for more room on stage and easier access and exiting. It was not missed, all eyes were on the cast who were superb.
The principals were well cast including the Three Little Maids who
actually were young - quite a change from the norm! For me Roger Bradley
(Ko-Ko), I couldn't look at him without thinking of Chris Evans, was
brilliant. He picked up on every funny line. Ko-Ko was ably matched by
Katisha
(Kay McLoughlin). Her voice and stage presence were outstanding. I don't
know if LADOS is putting her forward for a NODA Award, but in my opinion
they should. It is years since I have heard a voice with such clarity,
range and flexibility.
All in all a wonderful show and one of which LADOS can be proud. Oh,
and by the way, this died-in-the-wool traditionalist is no longer!
Donald MacPherson
OLIVER!
Storth and District Entertainers
Oliver! is an ever popular musical, which proved to be a good choice for this small society.
The title role of Oliver was very well played by George Simpson and he worked well with the Artful Dodger played by Alex Simpson, who was quite a confident character. David Green was a good Mr. Bumble and combined very well with the confident Sheila Seed as Widow Corney with a well sung 'I Shall Scream'. Well disguised Greg Limon played Mr .Sowerberry, and with Carol Hollis playing Mrs. Sowerberry they made an ideal couple. Their daughter Charlotte was played by Rachel Coates, and together with Oliver Adair playing Noah Claypole, they completed the Undertaker's scene.
The strong character of Fagin was capably played by David Sorrrell, who worked very well with the children . A superb portrayal of Nancy was undertaken by Victoria Smith with a very good rendition of 'As Long As He Needs Me' and 'Oom-Pah-Pah'. Bet was ideally played by Laura Percival.
I thought the costumes were too smart and clean for this production,
and I didn't like the scene with Old Sally opening the show, because
I thought this broke the sequence of the production (only my opinion!).
The children worked very well and had been well schooled. Their entrances
and exits had been worked out very well because I know the difficulties
they have in this hall. Overall a good evenings entertainment.
MY FAIR LADY
Morecambe Amateurs
My Fair Lady still remains a most popular musical which brings in the audiences. The stage crew worked very well with the difficult scene changes. Costumes had been well organised especially the Ascot scene.
We had a delightful Eliza with a beautiful voice and good acting. She was certainly a credit to the production. A very confident performance was given by Robin Knipe playing Professor Higgins, who, I understand, stood in at the last minute to fill this role. A sympathetic Mrs Pearce was exceptionally well played by Vanessa Andrew with all the necessary sincerity. A good characterisation came from Alan Boyes playing Colonel Pickering. Tony Young played the loveable rogue character of Alfred P. Doolittle with every confidence and led a rousing chorus of 'Get Me To the Church On Time'. Freddy Eynsford-Hill was in the capable hands of Glenn McLoughlin with a lovely rendition of 'On the Street Where You Live'. Sue Doyle was the very elegant Mrs Higgins along with Jane Anderson playing Mrs Eynsford-Hill. Both ladies carried off their roles with all the dignity required.
The household staff were excellent with lots of good moves. All the smaller parts had been well cast and fitted their roles with confidence.
Altogether a good evening's entertainment with thanks to Joyce Warrington for all the hard work with the good dancers and chorus work which all added up to a splendid production.