Central Theatre
CHATHAM
16th - 18th OCTOBER 2003

Director: Tony Cassidy
Musical Director: Brian Skinner
Choreographer: Julie Price

This was my first visit to the Central Theatre, despite having lived in Faversham for 20 years before moving to Sussex. It was sorry to learn that Bill Marshall was ill but I was pleased to be able to stand in for him at the last minute and trust he will soon be fit and well again.

Front of House gave us a very warm welcome. It was good to see one member of GODS dressed as a shady character complete with machine gun, ensuring you bought a programme!

The Programme was well designed with playing cards and dice scattered around on the pages, carrying the theme of the crap game throughout. I was pleased to see the NODA article encouraging people to join was included.

Scenery was minimal with backcloths appropriate to the scene with the minimal of furniture necessary to set the scene, all of which was simple but effective.

Costumes were from Bustles and Breeches (Gravesend) and GODS wardrobe. From where I sat all the costumes looked very good. The mens' suits were very much in keeping with the period and were well contrasted by Adelaide's fetching outfits and those of the Hot Box Girls, as well as those of Sarah Brown and the Mission Band. Nathan's suit in the second act really gave the 'wide boy' character.

Properties: were minimal but sufficient to set the time and place.

Make Up was good and not overdone, and the wigs looked superb.

Choreography by Julie Price was excellent, particularly with 'Luck be a Lady' and the Hot Box Girls.

The Production:
With such a large stage and wide apron the Director made good use of it. The production overall was very professional and it is difficult to pick out any one person without appearing to slighting others, which is not my intention.

Nicely Nicely (Alan Goodman), Benny (Craig Ridley) and Rusty Charlie (Simon Ledger) open the show and all had excellent voices and diction.

Sarah Brown (Julie May) and Arvide Abernathy (Bill Law) both gave us good clear singing and were nicely contrasted.

Nathan Detroit (Chris Chedzey) gave us a good New York accent and his acting and singing was first class. Sky Masterson (Lawrence Davis) was another that filled his role exceedingly well.

I was knocked out by Miss Adelaide (Zoe Parkin) who kept in character with accent and voice the whole way through and provided the 'zing'. The psychosomatic cold was very believable.

All those in cameo parts, as well as the Guys, the Dolls, the Hot Box Girls and the Mission Band with their enthusiastic singing and acting gave the final gilding.

Congratulations to everyone involved with getting the show on the road and for ensuring it was a very professional and worthy show. My sincere thanks for the welcome and hospitality showed to my wife and my daughter (who had driven up from Cardiff for the weekend to be with us), both enjoyed your production.

Last but not least my thanks to Olga for organising the back stage visit to meet some of the company in the interval, which I find is as pleasurable as seeing the show.

JOHN W BARNES
Regional Representative
Area 6

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