Shows R Us
|
16th - 21st May 2010Directors: Janet Turner & Jenny Melodie Hughes
Musical Director: Pamela Lee |
Chorus
Tony Allen, Charlotte Alderton, David Annett, Jean Burgess, Keith Burgess, Wayne Byrom, Francesca Cave, Robin Evans, Sydney Eaves, Helen Geldert, Eileen Green, Jade Horan, Vicky Huggins, Jenny Hughes, Danny Kendrick, Pamela Lee, Richard Lee, Helen Mills, Barbara Milner, Bob Noble, John Payne, Beth Robinson, Nat Rowell, Ken Sharp, Janet Turner, Mark Turvill, Arthur Venables, Patricia Venables, Maureen Willcocks & Helen Whittle.
Noda Review
‘SHOWS R US!’ MAY 2010 Many congratulations to the society on entertaining the public for the past 85 years.
I understand that the original choice of show was a Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta but had to be pulled because of a lack of members who were interested in taking part. Having staged a compilation only a few months earlier it must have been difficult to put together another one, but here was a perfect opportunity to develop something around the history of the society for such an auspicious occasion. Time was of the essence, but spent on fact finding so that a narrator was able to relate some of the history and no doubt amusing incidents that have occurred over all those years would have added much to the show. Helen alone must be a mine of information on the subject, and had it been presented in this way the musical numbers would have had more relevance to the audience. Song after song made for a concert and not a compilation show.
The’ 85’ projection looked good and ‘Oh, what a beautiful morning’ suited Richard’s voice well. Unfortunately there was a gap in the tabs which went uncorrected for some time, and ‘Anything you can do’ had a tricky moment, acknowledged by the performers who sounded Australian rather than American.
Helen G had good diction, sang charmingly if not very confidently, and looked lovely for ‘The laughing song’
In ‘Half a Sixpence’ Wayne appeared uncharacteristically wooden but the medley was very nicely set with the couples in evening dress.
A complete change of mood followed and Janet and Jenny gave a dramatic and polished rendition of ‘Step across the river’ enhanced by the green lighting.
A beautifully sung ‘My sweet embraceable you’ was performed by Pamela.
The men had good fun with ‘Green carnation’ and put the number over extremely well with their indolent poses and movements, causing much amusement for the audience.
Vicky and Fran gave good performances in the ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ song and the choreography was attractive in ‘Dance the Cachuca’ but there were hardly any smiling faces. Jenny is to be congratulated on never letting her smile falter!
Janet gave an especially heartfelt performance of ‘Can’t help lovin’ that man of mine’ and the Mack and Mabel section provided more comedy.
The showgirls in’ Copacabana’ looked super but perhaps the dancing should have been left to those who were more confident with the routine whilst the other girls struck attractive poses as I’m afraid eyes are always drawn to the less capable in a dance routine. However, Mark sang the song very well.
Helen, Jade and Nat put across ‘Just arrived ‘ with enthusiasm and Richard was very relaxed and confident with ‘Hey there’.
It was good to hear Ken sing ‘Hundreds of girls’ with the ladies, but I’m not sure that the Spanish interpretation worked for ‘I’m called little Buttercup’. It seemed rather out of place.
‘Blow Gabriel’ is a super number and Charli sang it well. The choreography was good and there was plenty of action on stage.
The opening of Act Two, ‘Thriller’ appeared to have nothing to do with the rest of the compilation and its inclusion was hard to understand. Some of the numbers did have a feeling of indulgence and this was one of them. Choreography was energetic but repetitive.
Arthur and Patricia’s song from ‘The Merry Widow’ following on the heels of ‘Killer’ was too great a contrast but their voices were suitable for it.
‘Never too late’ was fine but much more could have been extracted in the way of comedy, and again in ‘Too darn hot’ the athletic movements should have been left to those who could perform them. Otherwise the choreography in that number was good.
Jean B and Keith acquitted themselves well in ‘My desert is waiting’ and the gauze gave a spectral feel to David and the men’s chorus rendition of ‘When the night wind howls’. The slow motion movements were effective.
‘Mein Herr was absolutely super and Vicky was the star of the evening. She gave an accomplished performance, which really was a pleasure to watch, ably backed by the dancers who for this number were splendid.
The motley lot of pirates gave colour and vitality to ‘Catlike tread’ which was one of the best numbers in the concert.
Beth’s clear soprano voice was lovely to listen to in ‘Somewhere over the rainbow’, a brave choice given that it had been sung on the T.V each Saturday for the past few weeks.
The ‘Les Miserables’ section at the end was attractively set and Janet gave an especially good performance.
Evening dresses were attractive and the others suitable for the various songs. The makeup too was fine.
Some of the music appeared to be recorded and some live, and Margaret accompanied the soloists sympathetically.
Front of house were efficient as always, and your programme is colourful and interesting.
Without the aid of scenery and/or a story line, walking on stage and singing a song and then walking off with the next person doing the same does not really make for sparkling entertainment unless the voices are first class. You have some very good ones in the society but this wasn’t a suitable vehicle for them. Perhaps more innovative direction would have improved the visual aspect of the production.
Thank you for inviting me to see ‘Shows R Us’ and for your hospitality on the night.
E. Gloria Smith
NODA Regional Representative – District 12
I understand that the original choice of show was a Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta but had to be pulled because of a lack of members who were interested in taking part. Having staged a compilation only a few months earlier it must have been difficult to put together another one, but here was a perfect opportunity to develop something around the history of the society for such an auspicious occasion. Time was of the essence, but spent on fact finding so that a narrator was able to relate some of the history and no doubt amusing incidents that have occurred over all those years would have added much to the show. Helen alone must be a mine of information on the subject, and had it been presented in this way the musical numbers would have had more relevance to the audience. Song after song made for a concert and not a compilation show.
The’ 85’ projection looked good and ‘Oh, what a beautiful morning’ suited Richard’s voice well. Unfortunately there was a gap in the tabs which went uncorrected for some time, and ‘Anything you can do’ had a tricky moment, acknowledged by the performers who sounded Australian rather than American.
Helen G had good diction, sang charmingly if not very confidently, and looked lovely for ‘The laughing song’
In ‘Half a Sixpence’ Wayne appeared uncharacteristically wooden but the medley was very nicely set with the couples in evening dress.
A complete change of mood followed and Janet and Jenny gave a dramatic and polished rendition of ‘Step across the river’ enhanced by the green lighting.
A beautifully sung ‘My sweet embraceable you’ was performed by Pamela.
The men had good fun with ‘Green carnation’ and put the number over extremely well with their indolent poses and movements, causing much amusement for the audience.
Vicky and Fran gave good performances in the ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ song and the choreography was attractive in ‘Dance the Cachuca’ but there were hardly any smiling faces. Jenny is to be congratulated on never letting her smile falter!
Janet gave an especially heartfelt performance of ‘Can’t help lovin’ that man of mine’ and the Mack and Mabel section provided more comedy.
The showgirls in’ Copacabana’ looked super but perhaps the dancing should have been left to those who were more confident with the routine whilst the other girls struck attractive poses as I’m afraid eyes are always drawn to the less capable in a dance routine. However, Mark sang the song very well.
Helen, Jade and Nat put across ‘Just arrived ‘ with enthusiasm and Richard was very relaxed and confident with ‘Hey there’.
It was good to hear Ken sing ‘Hundreds of girls’ with the ladies, but I’m not sure that the Spanish interpretation worked for ‘I’m called little Buttercup’. It seemed rather out of place.
‘Blow Gabriel’ is a super number and Charli sang it well. The choreography was good and there was plenty of action on stage.
The opening of Act Two, ‘Thriller’ appeared to have nothing to do with the rest of the compilation and its inclusion was hard to understand. Some of the numbers did have a feeling of indulgence and this was one of them. Choreography was energetic but repetitive.
Arthur and Patricia’s song from ‘The Merry Widow’ following on the heels of ‘Killer’ was too great a contrast but their voices were suitable for it.
‘Never too late’ was fine but much more could have been extracted in the way of comedy, and again in ‘Too darn hot’ the athletic movements should have been left to those who could perform them. Otherwise the choreography in that number was good.
Jean B and Keith acquitted themselves well in ‘My desert is waiting’ and the gauze gave a spectral feel to David and the men’s chorus rendition of ‘When the night wind howls’. The slow motion movements were effective.
‘Mein Herr was absolutely super and Vicky was the star of the evening. She gave an accomplished performance, which really was a pleasure to watch, ably backed by the dancers who for this number were splendid.
The motley lot of pirates gave colour and vitality to ‘Catlike tread’ which was one of the best numbers in the concert.
Beth’s clear soprano voice was lovely to listen to in ‘Somewhere over the rainbow’, a brave choice given that it had been sung on the T.V each Saturday for the past few weeks.
The ‘Les Miserables’ section at the end was attractively set and Janet gave an especially good performance.
Evening dresses were attractive and the others suitable for the various songs. The makeup too was fine.
Some of the music appeared to be recorded and some live, and Margaret accompanied the soloists sympathetically.
Front of house were efficient as always, and your programme is colourful and interesting.
Without the aid of scenery and/or a story line, walking on stage and singing a song and then walking off with the next person doing the same does not really make for sparkling entertainment unless the voices are first class. You have some very good ones in the society but this wasn’t a suitable vehicle for them. Perhaps more innovative direction would have improved the visual aspect of the production.
Thank you for inviting me to see ‘Shows R Us’ and for your hospitality on the night.
E. Gloria Smith
NODA Regional Representative – District 12