Show Reports for District 2  

Shows reviewed by Sheelagh Hobart unless otherwise stated.  

Bangor Operatic Society

90th Anniversary Concert

Musical Director Wilson Shields Choreographer Jillian Liggett

It is 90 years since a group of people got together to form Bangor Amateur Operatic Society - The word amateur has since been dropped from the title. Apart from a short break during world War II the Society have performed musicals and pantomimes every year since then.
Like most Societies today, Bangor is finding it increasingly difficult to stage large musicals so they decided to take the "bull by the horns" and promote a Gala Concert to celebrate their 90 years. The venue chosen was a modern Conference Centre in Bangor with a seating capacity of 1000. Every ticket was sold!
The evening's programme was designed to take us through the 90 years from the first production The Pirates of Penzance to the last one Crazy for You.
The opening item With Cat Like Tread Our Cautious Way we Fell got the evening off to a great start and there was nothing cautious about the ensuing numbers. This was followed by the infamous chorus Hail Poetry. The evening was compared by Colin Boyd in his own inimitable style with anecdotes and humour throughout the evening.
The first half continued witht two numbers from that old favourite The Desert Song which reminded the audience of the lovely music from that show.
The Society had persuaded several of their former members to return for this gala evening. We had a delightful rendering of Me and My Girl by Zoe Rainey and Chris Logan who played the part of Sally and Bill in the Society production in 2000. Both are now established West End performers.
Moving on we had excerpts from Sweet Charity, Oliver and the Merry Widow. Three numbers by Elizabeth Ross and Michael Blair with excellent backing from the large chorus.
1992 was the year for Anything Goes and another past member now performing on the international stage with various companies, Billy Carter, was joined in two numbers from that show by Karen Dawson and Michael McDowell. Superb!
For the end of this half we moved West to include numbers from Calamity Jane, Seven Brides for 7 Brothers, Annie Get Your Gun and Oklahoma Wow! Time to take breath.
Act 11 started with a selection of music by Percy French and Irish dance music played by members of the McClean Family. Five talented musicians who had 1000 pairs of feet tapping along to the rhythm. Next we had Chicago followed by Wizard of Oz, Zoe Rainey returning to the platform to sing Somewhere over the Rainbow.
One of the highlights of the second half was Peter Radcliffe and Karen Hawthorne singing It's Never too late to fall in Love from The Boyfriend.
We then had selections from Grease, The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, Guys and Dolls, The Music Man and finally rounding of an exhilerating evening with three numbers from their last show Crazy for You.
Throughout the evening the large chorus and dancers gave excellent support to the soloists and were backed by a small ensemble of musicians led by Wilson Shields.
Sadly I do not have the space to elaborate on more of the many items but suffice to say the Society thouroughly deserved the standing ovation which followed the final item A great evening and a huge success. Well done Bangor. I hope I am still around to help celebrate you century.
I was accompanied at the concert by National President Margaret Coltman and her consort Marie.

This review was written by Derek Grattidge on behalf of Sheelagh Hobart who was on

Enniskillen Light Operatic

PIRATES OF PENZANCE

Director - Eamonn Bradley Choreographer - Jennifer Rooney assisted by Breda McNulty
Chorus Director - Irene Kernohan Orchestral Director - Donald Swain

Enniskillen Light Operatic was formed in 1995 and although singing is a strong feature of the company, this was their first foray into G&S. The original version was chosen and suited them well with some fine vocals but fairly limited movement. Billy Reynolds was a swashbuckling Pirate King, well supported by Dwayne Maguire as a convincing Samuel and a 'rollicking' band of pirates in good voice. The chorus of Police, headed by Martin Donnelly as Sergeant worked hard but a little more 'business' would have added to the comedy. A small chorus of youthful daughters with older chaperones made a pretty picture and sang well although individually, Blathine Maguire, Rachel Laird and Rosemary Lendrum as Edith, Kate and Isobel, were sometimes a little light. Their father, Major General Stanley, was played by the irrepressible Billy Mulligan who delivered his 'patter' song with effect. Ena Trimble was a young and trim Ruth who brought very good comedic moments to her role. Rory Fallon, who played Frederick, really looked the part. He had a fine voice although a little timorous on his high notes. Star of the show was Jayne Boucher as Mabel, whose voice always enchants and personality always shines.

Costumes by Excel Theatre Costumes Ltd of Manchester were authentic and pleasing, Sound & Lighting were mostly good and the Set was beautifully painted, especially the sea. Direction by Eamonn Bradley was a little static and Choreography by Jennifer Rooney a little unadventurous but vocals under the direction of Irene Kernohan were good and the Orchestra was well controlled by Donald Swain.

The whole company obviously enjoyed presenting 'Pirates' and their enthusiasm was shared by the audience. The warm welcome from ELO made the long journey well worth while. Thank you..

Fortwilliam Musical Society

Meet Me in St. Louis

Director - Wilfie Pyper Choreographer - Angela Harding Musical Director - William Cairns

The famous 40s film "Meet me in St Louis" starring Judy Garland was a huge box office success. I was looking forward to seeing a show not previously performed in N.Ireland and Fortwilliam did a fine job, but the magic of the film did not really transfer to the stage. The story features the day to day happenings of the Smith family in the months leading up to the 1904 St Louis World Fair, and to be honest, not enough happened to really keep interest going.

Eldest daughter Esther Smith was beautifully played and sung by Sinead O'Kelly and her three memorable songs - 'The Boy Next Door', 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' and the immortal 'Trolley Song' were all highlights. Esther's romance with 'boy next door' John Truitt, featured David Thompson whose voice is always a delight. The three other Smith sisters Rose, Agnes and Tootie were well played by Rachel Bergin, Olivia McCloskey and Orla Graham and their brother, Lon Jr. by Vijay Sharma. They made up a typical family - loving and bickering - with Rose excitedly awaiting a marriage proposal from her rich young boyfriend Warren Sheffield, convincingly played by Gareth McCreevy. The older girls' romances, Lon Jr.'s farewell party before leaving for Princetown and Tootie's Halloween night's escapades make up a rather slow plot which was difficult to get excited about, in spite of Orla who put her all into her role as Tootie. She is one to watch in the future although her diction needs some attention. Parents, Alonso and Anna, were expertly and sympathetically played by Kevin McReynolds and Audrey Neill, who brought a tear to the eye with their poignant duet. Grandpa Prophater completed the family, with the ever affable Michael Blair obviously enjoying the role of the old man with a twinkle in his eye! Housekeeper Katie was very much part of the family with a no-nonsense approach from Siobhan Farrell and a lovely light 'Touch of the Irish'!

Minor principals were all enthusiastically played and the chorus, which was backed by an unseen group, sang well. Billy Cairns' orchestra was expert as always - it is a difficult task to marry orchestra and singers when the former is hidden behind the scenes but there seemed to be no problem with that. Angela Harding made the most of the choreographed numbers and kept to the period - as did costumes by Castleknock Musical Society, which were lovely. The set by Russell Caughey and Anthony Fairley was to their usual high standard and props, including a huge dining table, were moved well.

Altogether, I have no faults to find with Wilfie Pyper's production - only the show itself. The 1989 Broadway stage adaption was labelled "a lumbering and graceless project" by one critic and ran for only 253 performances, so I think that Fortwilliam MS did extremely well. I thank them so much for inviting me and look forward to their youth production 'Hello Dolly'.

Fusion Theatre

HMS PINAFORE

Director/Musical Director - Ian Milford Choreographer - Rebecca Leonard

"A new youthful version for a youth cast" was the heading on the programme cover for this lively young company, and new orchestration by Matthew Milford brought the popular G & S show right up to date. The 66 strong cast obviously enjoyed another foray into G&S with over 20 young sailors launching into "We sail the ocean blue" with great gusto! Emma Catney opened the principal line up with a coquettish Little Buttercup and it was hard to believe that Adam Gillian's excellent portrayal of Captain Corcoran was from such a young man. Director Ian Milford decided on a variety of regional accents for the principals, in preparation for the groups appearance at the Buxton Festival. These were sometimes a little disconcerting, for instance Cormac Nelis as the wiley Dick Deadeye - why is it always the baddie who has the Belfast accent? Ralph Rackstraw was well played by Jack Walsh and Josephine was beautifully sung by Hannah Conlon. Claire Manson was a commanding Hebe and together with the other 'sisters, cousins and aunts' of all ages, made a very valuable contribution to the singing and action of this lively show. Conal Corr made a wonderfully obsequious Sir Joseph Porter. His diction was faultless as was the general diction of everyone on stage - it is such a pleasure to hear every word of a show.

Ian Milford directed a fine show and Rebecca Leonard's choroegraphy was bright and well drilled. The permanent set incorporating both ship's deck and quay side functioned well and the lighting was fine. Costumes were particularly good but no company was credited for them in the programme.

As usual I was thoroughly entertained by Fusion's young people and I wish them well at Buxton Festival's Youth Section. Thank you for inviting me.

Fusion Theatre

TITANIC, the Musical

Director / Musical Director – Ian Milford Choreographer – Rebecca Leonard

This show was a ‘titanic’ project for a youth company and enormous praise must go to the production team for their belief in the competence of their young people, which turned out to be well founded.

The ship’s crew were each valid in their particular roles – Peter Coleman brought great gravitas to the role of Captain Smith and Jamie Clements as Radioman Harold Bride, was convincing in his enthusiasm for his job as telegraph officer. Raymond Walsh’s singing as Stokerman Frederick Barrett was excellent. Designer Thomas Andrews (Chris Milford) and Owner Bruce Ismay (Nick Parks) were nicely contrasting characters and Senior Steward Henry Etches was played by Michael Forde with just the right attitude.

Among the well cast millionaire passengers in 1st class, the quiet couple Isidor and Ida Strauss (James Patterson & Elaine Pelan) showed a lovely intimacy as they decided to stay on board the sinking ship. In 2nd class, Heather Viant was a lively and vibrant Alice Beane and Gary Redpath delivered his wonderful ‘one liners’ as Edgar Beane with appealing deliberateness. Cormac Nelis as Jim Farrell and Karen Fortin as Kate McGowan made a very believable young Irish couple in 3rd class. All named parts, too numerous to mention individually, were so well cast with good vocals throughout and the rest of the company took their roles as passengers, bell boys, serving staff and stokers with dedication and enthusiasm. Company pieces such as “There she is”, “Doing the latest rag” and the “Finale” were very well sung.

Rebecca Leonard managed the huge number on stage with precision – everyone even dancing the rag remarkably well. Ian Milford in the dual role of Director and Musical Director, kept the action and music moving with strength and sensitivity, getting the best out of actors, singers and musicians alike.

A first class show and well deserving of its standing ovation at the curtain call. I thank all members for giving me a remarkable evening.

Londonderry Musical Society

OLIVER

Producer - David Keown Choreographer - Vanessa Chapman Musical Director - Maurice Kelly

The wonderful combination of Charles Dickens' story and Lionel Bart's music and lyrics have made this show a great favourite in professional and amateur theatre circles. It is good to see amateur companies taking on a variety of contrasting shows and 'Oliver' could not be much more of a contrast to last year's excellent 'Thoroughly Modern Millie'.

The opening drab and austere workhouse scene burst into life as 45 'orphans' sang about their fantasies in "Food, Glorious Food". Throughout the show these boys and girls sang and danced and remained focused whether they were orphans, townspeople, chimney sweeps or Fagin's gang and all obviously enjoyed their roles. Alan McClarty, as Mr Bumble, was by turn an unpleasant and merciless 'beadle' and a comedic suitor for the hand of Widow Corney, played by the coquettish Susan Keown. These two extracted plenty of humour from their roles, to counter the rather dark and sad plot. Mr and Mrs Sowerberry, played by David and Evie Ferguson, made a macabre undertaker and overbearing wife in their convincing cameo roles while Ian Struthers and Maeve McMenamin were a bullying Noah Claypole and silly young Charlotte. Our introduction to Dylan Reid as the Artful Dodger was a highlight, with a superbly choreographed and sung "Consider Yourself" featuring Oliver, Dodger and the entire chorus in the guise of townsfolk, tradesmen and wonderfully acrobatic chimney sweeps. Dylan really caught the character of Dodger and interacted well with the 'gang', which included Gregg Parkhill whose lovely singing voice was noticed in his role of Charlie Bates. Margaret McPhillips was a strong Nancy supported by Keira Thompson as Bet and Richard Campbell was convincingly fearsome as Bill Sykes. Equally well cast were the smaller parts of David Thomas, Abby Mullan and Ken Canning as Mr Brownlow, Mrs Bedwin and Dr Grimwig, and the Rose Seller, Milkmaid, Strawberry Seller and Knife Grinder were delightfully sung by Annette McCarron, Christine Heaney, Emer MacManus and Steven McFaul.

The set by Proscenium Ltd was well managed by Catherine Creighton and her team, and props, sound and lighting were effective. Costumes for the large cast were almost entirely provided and managed by Addis Blair to excellent effect.

Finally, praise must especially go to the 'stars' of the show - Fagin and Oliver. Keith Lynch had a lovely lightness of touch as Fagin - his facial expressions, hand movements and lightness of foot truly portrayed the miserly Jewish thief. Nine year old Mark Gallagher was 'the whole package' as Oliver - he could dance, act and sing! His rendition of "Where is Love?" was beautiful and we believed his characterisation throughout. I hope this young boy has 'caught the bug' and will want to continue to take part in musical theatre as he grows up.

Musical Director, Maurice Kelly, controlled his singers and his 9 piece orchestra well. David's production with Vanessa's choreography made an effective overall show which the audience, including me, thoroughly enjoyed. I thank L.M.S. for their invitation and friendly hospitality.

derek@noda-western.org.uk

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