DIRECTOR: Tony Cassidy
MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Brian Skinner
CHOREOGRAPHER: Julie Price
PRODUCER: John Endicott

This is one of the most performed shows by amateur groups through-out the USA and the UK. In 1964 the music kept the Beatles from number one on the Top 40 for most of that year, and it still has not lost its sparkle. Dolly Levi is a wheeler-dealerof a matchmaker and out to marry for money, with Horace Vandergelder, Yonker's most successful merchant, her target. A super show where each man gets his girl in the end.

Front of House: A warm welcome from the front of house staff with a foyer that was buzzing with life and Olga ensuring everything ran like clockwork.

Musical Direction: The orchestra under the baton of Brian Skinner ensured the music was well played but never allowed to drown the singing of principals or chorus.

The Programme: A nicely produced A4 programme in black and white (except for the lemon cover which was replicated on the hand bills). Pen pictures with photographs of the l0 principals and other photographs of the cast in costume elsewhere in the programme. A nice short synopsis, together with message from the Chairman and other GODS articles. The introduction to NODA for use in programmes was prominent on the first page. Maybe with the NODA crest next time? I was sorry not to see listed who had provided the wigs, which I understand was Derek Easton Wigs, a NODA Corporate member.

Scenery: Provided by stagesets. The corn store and the restaurant scenery looked good.

Make up: Make up was good and from a distance looked very natural. None appeared to be overdone.

Costume: Majority of the costumes had been made by Society with hired in for Dolly, who looked stunning in both the red dress and particularly in the turquoise outfit, and for some others. All the costumes fitted the era and looked very colourful. The wigs worn by Dolly Levi and Mrs Molloy were perfect for both characters.

Properties: The delicacies on the waiters' trays for the scene in the Harmonia Gardens restaurant were very effective and the Props. personnel had done an excellent job.

Choreography: by Julie Price had been well thought out and inventive but no doubt she would have liked the waiters' gallop to have been slicker and quicker. The children were a pleasure to watch.

Lighting: The lighting crew under the management of Robin Fosdal ensured that lights dimmed or came up on the individual tableaux when necessary, and overall gave the cast good lighting.

Stage Crew: Under the management of Oliver Flanagan, Friends of the GODS worked hard in ensuring everything was in place at the right time.

The Production:

Marian Marshall - (Dolly Levi) epitomised the character and fulfilled the role with aplomb, and was a joy to listen to and watch.
John Endicott (Horace Vandergelder) was most believable, which together with his excellent voice brought the right gravitas to his character.
Alan Godman (Cornelius Hackl) was delightful and with his "partner-in-crime" Mat Price Barnaby Tucker) provided the humour; both were very slick with the change of places in the hat shop scene.
Deborah Collins (Mrs Molloy) looked the part .
Rebecca Merriman (Minnie Faye) gave a very satisfying character in her first principal role with the GODS.
Peter Lowe (Ambrose Kemper) had got in to the character well and comforted Ermengarde (Leanne Cook) who shed "copious t e a r s " realistically.
Elaine Higham (Ernestina) provided a great character.
Gerald Flanagan (The Judge) was very inventive and provided great amusement.
All of the principals were in good voice and a delight to listen too.

The chorus of Ladies and Gentlemen, together with the children, provided good support and looked excellent in their different costumes.

Again, a firstclass production by the GODS well worth seeing. My thanks for inviting me, for the hospitality, and pleasure of meeting some of you during the interval. Good luck with your next production.

JOHN W. BARNES
Regional Representative
Area 6- SE

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