FRIDAY 12TH OCTOBER 2007

DIRECTOR: TONY CASSIDY
MUSICAL DIRECTOR: BRIAN SKINNER
CHOREOGRAPHERS: NICKY ANSELL AND CARLEY BRIGHT
PRODUCER: JOHN ENDICOTT
STAGE MANAGER: OLIVER FLANAGAN

The show began with an open stage depicting an amusement park including a working 'carousel'. This was a very colourful opening with the chorus busying themselves as best they could whilst the orchestra played the overture, but, for me, it went on too long! Carrie Pipperidge (Zoey Parkin) and Julie Jordan (Debbie Brennan) both had lovely voices and they worked well together. Billy Bigelow (Scott Highway) managed to portray the hard and soft side of the character with good effect. The soliloquy was sensitively sung.

After the slow first couple of scenes, the show burst into life with 'June is bustin' out all over.' It was nice to see some men dancing who actually knew their left from their right! Well done to the choreographers (Nicky Ansell and Carley Bright) for disciplined dance routines.

I'm sorry not to mention all the principal characters by name but they were all well cast and I didn't have any problems hearing the dialogue. However, I must just say that Enoch Snow (Alan Godman) has a wonderful range to his voice.

The orchestra, under Brian Skinner's leadership, was well balanced and unobtrusive. Scenery, on the whole, was good. Costumes were well thought out and colourful but some of the ladies' hemlines needed attention. It was nice to see all the ladies in the same style of shoes.

Overall, a very enoyable performance by a very accomplished society. Thank you for inviting me and I hope to see you all again on another occasion.

Doreen Grierson
NODA REPRESENTATIVE (District 7)

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