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The Little Mermaid
Bradford Players
Having now finished watching all the town and theatre shows it was a pleasure to veer off the main road and head towards a ‘good old village Hall’.
It was at Bradford on Tone that the Bradford Players were presenting The Little Mermaid.
Written by Andrew O’Leary and directed by Emma Vicarage this was a bright and colourful nautical production that moved along with good pace. The opening number ‘I’m still standing’ was a great rouser to get this pantomime under way.
I am aware space is extremely limited in this hall but what you achieved was most commendable. All Sets were pleasing and complimented the action. I enjoyed the UV scene too. I felt those blue curtains could have done with a good ironing though – an observation, not a criticism!
Some of the costumes were of an extremely high standard – in particular the Jamaican Crab and Sea Witch. The mermaids glistened under the excellent lighting of Dan and Mollie adding a ‘splash’ of sparkle to this production.
You certainly had some good strong principals to carry this show through.
Cathy Vicarage (Anemone) played her part with great assurance. You have an impressive stage presence Cathy, crystal diction and lovely sing voice. Jane Leakey (Sea Witch) was a deliciously nasty character. This was a part played with distinction Jane. I loved your movements, rapport, facial expressions and eye contact – excellent. I also enjoyed the antics from Quentin (Joseph Taylor), Jules (Giovanna Briffa) and Verne (Andrew Power).
Dame Gladys Bonkers (Jim Hawkins) provided some comedy moments and the audience warmed to you. I would like to have seen a bigger entrance (perhaps from the back of the hall) and a much larger than life personality that we all come to expect from our dames. With a little more experience you could become a natural in this role.
Your adult and junior chorus sang well. There were some great upbeat numbers ( a few dated perhaps) but all nicely performed. It may have been an idea to have printed your song titles in the programme as well. I felt Choreography was reasonably simple but effective.
It was evident that a lot of hard work had gone into this production. The audiences certainly enjoyed The Little Mermaid as did I.
Thank you for a pleasurable afternoon.
Nigel Ford
Moderator SFD.