Once Upon A Mattress
|
12th - 17th May 2014
Director: Margaret Walker
Musical Director: Geoff Horton Choreographer: Jenny Jones CastPrincess Winnifred the Woebegone - Claire Leonard
Prince Dauntless - Steve Nottage Queen Aggravain - Gillian Freeman King Sextimus the Silent - Tony Allen Lady Larken - Jenny Jordan Sir Harry - Christian Wedlock Minstrel - Danny Kendrick Jester - Mark Turvill Wizard - Bob Noble |
Chorus
Melanie Campbell, Jenny Jones, Mathais Keyser, Barbara Milner, John Payne, Beth Robinson, June Saich, Claire Shilling, Janet Turner, Patricia Venables, Sue Warren & Rita Woods
NODA Review
With lyrics by Marshall Barer and music by Mary Rodgers this musical is based on the fairy story of the Princess and the Pea and is one of the most popular musicals performed in the USA, but not often seen in the UK. A domineering Queen and Mother, a mute King, an immature Prince together with a Knight, Minstrel, Jester, and Wizard all go to make this a very amusing show.
The set designed by Kip Punch conveyed the right impression of a great hall of the castle with three arches stage rear, well painted “stone walls”, and two thrones set the opening scene and subsequent ones well. A well designed and flower decorated “bower” thrust stage left.
The wardrobe team had pulled the stops out with the beautiful and colourful medieval style costumes which conveyed the era of long, long, ago. Congratulations to all involved with that task.
The Band under the baton of Geoffrey Horton ensured the words and singing were not overwhelmed.
Danny Kendrick as the Minstrel provided the prologue in good clear tones to the opening of the show with Princesses being tested by Queen Aggravain (Gillian Freeman) very authoritively, and determined that none would be suitable for her son. Prince Dauntless the Drab (Steve Nottage) conveyed the character of an excitable spoilt son, but nevertheless determined to find a true Princess to be his bride and be his own man. Bob Noble (Wizard) gave us a believable characterisation as an alchemist. Tony Allen (King Sextimus) also provided great amusement with his penchant for chasing the ladies of the court and pinching bottoms! His miming of the words was well carried through when with the Jester (Mark Turvill) and Minstrel they performed the “The Minstrel, The Jester and I”.
Sir Harry (Christian Wedlock) gave us a very creditable Knight who together with his Lady Larken (Jenny Jordan) and their fine singing, made a good couple. The arrival of Princess Winifred (Claire Leonard) who had come from up north, swum the moat to get into the castle rather than wait for the drawbridge to be lowered, with her northern accent, down to earth attitude together and splendid singing and diction gave a good rounded character. Her test of sleeping (or not as was the case) on a tower of mattresses was well conveyed with the Nightingale of Samarkand (Beth Robinson) singing in a cage keeping the princess company. The result was Princess Winifred being allowed to marry the Prince, with the Queen being struck dumb and the King’s speech being restored! The principals were well supported by other members of the Court, with good singing and clear diction from all on stage.
The choreography by Jenny Jones was well executed by all the cast particularly in the “Spanish Panic” dance on a crowded stage.
Whilst I did not come away with any particular song whirring around in my head, this was a very creditable production and my congratulations to the society for trying something new.
JOHN W BARNES
NODA S E REGIONAL COUNCILLOR
NODA VICE-PRESIDENT
On behalf of Gloria Smith, Regional Representative
The set designed by Kip Punch conveyed the right impression of a great hall of the castle with three arches stage rear, well painted “stone walls”, and two thrones set the opening scene and subsequent ones well. A well designed and flower decorated “bower” thrust stage left.
The wardrobe team had pulled the stops out with the beautiful and colourful medieval style costumes which conveyed the era of long, long, ago. Congratulations to all involved with that task.
The Band under the baton of Geoffrey Horton ensured the words and singing were not overwhelmed.
Danny Kendrick as the Minstrel provided the prologue in good clear tones to the opening of the show with Princesses being tested by Queen Aggravain (Gillian Freeman) very authoritively, and determined that none would be suitable for her son. Prince Dauntless the Drab (Steve Nottage) conveyed the character of an excitable spoilt son, but nevertheless determined to find a true Princess to be his bride and be his own man. Bob Noble (Wizard) gave us a believable characterisation as an alchemist. Tony Allen (King Sextimus) also provided great amusement with his penchant for chasing the ladies of the court and pinching bottoms! His miming of the words was well carried through when with the Jester (Mark Turvill) and Minstrel they performed the “The Minstrel, The Jester and I”.
Sir Harry (Christian Wedlock) gave us a very creditable Knight who together with his Lady Larken (Jenny Jordan) and their fine singing, made a good couple. The arrival of Princess Winifred (Claire Leonard) who had come from up north, swum the moat to get into the castle rather than wait for the drawbridge to be lowered, with her northern accent, down to earth attitude together and splendid singing and diction gave a good rounded character. Her test of sleeping (or not as was the case) on a tower of mattresses was well conveyed with the Nightingale of Samarkand (Beth Robinson) singing in a cage keeping the princess company. The result was Princess Winifred being allowed to marry the Prince, with the Queen being struck dumb and the King’s speech being restored! The principals were well supported by other members of the Court, with good singing and clear diction from all on stage.
The choreography by Jenny Jones was well executed by all the cast particularly in the “Spanish Panic” dance on a crowded stage.
Whilst I did not come away with any particular song whirring around in my head, this was a very creditable production and my congratulations to the society for trying something new.
JOHN W BARNES
NODA S E REGIONAL COUNCILLOR
NODA VICE-PRESIDENT
On behalf of Gloria Smith, Regional Representative