Members Area
Members Area
Annie Get Your Gun
Weston-super-Mare Operatic Society
The Playhouse, Weston-super-Mare.
Saturday 22nd April 2017
Once in a while even this cynical, old git likes to kick back and wallow in a good, old-fashioned, simple Musical. Yes, I have a liking for the more modern and perhaps more challenging shows but my visit to Weston on Saturday night, along with an audience of, shall I say ‘well-seasoned’, folks was a real delight.
The story, despite featuring many great, larger-than-life characters, doesn’t really go anywhere; social issues are not examined in depth; political statements or environmental issues do not feature but we, the audience didn’t care. We saw colourful scenery, cleverly moved; we saw some nice dancing in pretty frocks and cowboy outfits; we laughed at some simple humour and we heard some great show tunes bounced off the rafters by some terrific singers. That’ll do us.
Director Graeme Kelly had put together a good-looking show, using the most recent iteration of the libretto. The original 1946 production was less than kind about Native Americans; the 1999 re-working soothed more modern sensibilities and delivered a more ‘flowing’ structure. Never, perhaps the greatest show on earth but nonetheless an easy ‘watch’, the charm and warmth carrying us through any weaknesses.
Graeme was fortunate in having a talented cast to work with: looking at a Chorus packed with well-known and award-winning talents like Leah Farmer, Cameron Isherwood, Madison Walker and Tom Creswick (to name but very few) you know that the show is not going to be short on ability in depth. Then add a great Musical Director in John W. Johnson plus the undoubted chorographical abilities of Carol Applegate-Day and all of the ingredients are there. Graeme put his ‘stamp’ on the show: The action zipped along at a lively pace and the gentle humour was played to the full.
The orchestra, placed in full view up stage looked great in ‘western’ costume, the MD sporting a dramatic, black Stetson (I always thought that the black hat was for the ‘Baddy’, but perhaps Mr. J has a dark side?). Not only looking good but sounding terrific, the band were tight, balanced and enhanced the show hugely. Singing was of a very high order indeed. Sometimes, it must be a pleasure for a performer to be given good, simple tunes to really open-up and sing. That is certainly how it looked and sounded.
The basis of the story is the on and off relationship between sharpshooters Frank Butler and Annie Oakley. The always-impressive Ed Creswick stepped, apparently very comfortably into being Frank. Ed brought a confidence and swagger to the role, along with some superb singing. I have seen Ed perform many times but enjoyed this relaxed performance more than any other.Natalie Baker was outstanding as Annie. Her rich, colourful ‘back woods’ accent was very funny and was perfectly sustained, even when singing. Natalie’s singing matched Ed’s for quality and she delivered Annie’s charm and vulnerable likability in spades.
Supporting principals all worked well too. Sue Collings’ Dolly Tate was a revelation to me. I am very familiar with Sue’s work as a gifted director but my word she can sing and act! Sam Aylott played Sue’s on-stage sister Winnie Tate with real energy and ability. Mick Collings gave us a characterful Sitting Bull, Rob Tilke sang and danced elegantly as the Irish/Red Indian Tommy Keeler, Andy Heaven looked remarkable as Buffalo Bill and every other company member stepped up to the plate with confidence and ability.
I was particularly impressed by the young players in the show- borrowed, I assume from Weston’s excellent youth group, the Oppitts. Playing Jessie, Nellie and Little Jake Oakley, Annie’s younger brother and sisters were two teams of youngsters: Team Annie comprising Mollie English, Evie Haldane and Kobi Taylor; Team Frank comprising Molly Goodman, Natalie Page and Jacob Thomas. The team I saw were great – confident, musical and showing perfect timing. I hear that the other team was equally good. Other Oppitts were apparent too – I recognised several from previous productions. It is very pleasing to see the younger performers gaining valuable experience in the senior world.
From the spectacular ‘big top’ raising opening scene to the rousing finale this was a good-looking, well delivered piece of true Musical Theatre escapism. Perfect? Not quite, the second act did not quite have the sharpness of the first but I thoroughly enjoyed the show.
Weston-super-Mare Operatic continue to deliver a varied program of shows with something to please most tastes. More power to their elbows!
Thanks for inviting me
Ian