Members Area
Members Area
Weston super Mare Operatic Society
The Playhouse Theatre
Weston super Mare
Saturday (Matinee) April 2018
Weston Operatic Society have been a regional beacon in staging musical theatre since 1909 and unsurprisingly, by now they seem to be getting the idea of how it should be done…. Going to the Playhouse for any Weston Operatic show there is a comforting knowledge that it’s all going to be fine. Then, once in a while, they completely astonish, pull all of their cats out of all of their bags and absolutely blow your socks off. Ian Doswell is back in the Director’s chair and together with fellow Creatives; experienced Musical Director John W Johnson and gifted Choreographer Emma Duffill they have led a very talented cast to deliver a sparkling, shimmering, scintillating show that I will remember for a very long time to come. I’m still trying to find my socks.
From Leah Farmer’s flawlessly delivered sotto voce ‘Another op’nin’, another show’ to the very last echoes of the finale number I was entranced. Typically for an Ian Doswell show, attention to detail was clear: sets were sharply and attractively realised and shifted with a balletic precision by the well-drilled stage crew; costume was stunning and pace was masterfully managed. A photograph taken of the stage at almost any moment throughout the show would produce a beautifully structured composition. Performances were precise and convincing and the musicality of the piece was presented to the ‘max’. (Can you tell that I loved it?).
Success in delivering the story of Director and Leading man Fred Graham’s challenging coming-together with his ex-wife Lilli Vanessi in a new production of the Bard’s Taming of the Shrew depends on a leading man and leading lady of great quality. Doswell cast two of the very best: Dylan Cheasley, handsome and dashing in wig and doublet, armed with a voice that would delight even if he was singing a bus timetable, playing against the remarkable Maureen Wycherley, striking, vivacious and possessed of a voice for which most leading ladies would cheerfully sell a kidney. Two performers of consummate confidence, presence and a fabulous ‘match’. When supporting players include such strong players delivering such great performances as Jodie Gibson as Lois Lane and Bianca, Richard Smith as Bill Calhoun and Lucentio, Leah Farmer as Hattie, Rob Tilke as Gremio and Andrew D. Heaven as First Man, it is a clear testament to the level of the leading pair.
Singing and acting were universally strong across the board from principals, supporting players and chorus alike. It was the choreography, however that particularly grabbed my attention. Emma Duffill must have put the cast through the mill to achieve the level of dance performance for routines like Too Darn Hot. Choreography was precise, original and challenging to just the right degree: A real pleasure to watch.
Positioning the enormous orchestra on the stage worked very well indeed. From the lovely anticipation of hearing the tune-up to the gorgeous ‘wah-wah’ trombone work from John Hopes during the reprise of Too Darn Hot; from Sam Felton and John Rackham’s impressive percussion to the joy of Rhys Whatty’s harp this was quite a band! John Johnson’s control and leadership were spot-on, as ever delivering a superb balance between singers and orchestra.
One of the delights of being a regular visitor to Weston’s shows is the pleasure of noticing changes and developments: faces from the ranks of Weston’s marvelous Oppitts stepping into the ‘big time’; the return of talents like Sam Aylott and the introduction of new blood like David Evans. It was a particular pleasure to both see and sense the joy of the entire cast who really know they are producing a great show.
Here, in the majority of my little reviews, I would usually pick a few faults and I am not saying that the matinee performance I saw yesterday was absolutely perfect but it was pretty darn close. I am, generally not such a fan of this style of musical- I would normally rather see new, dark and ‘off, off Broadway’ but Weston’s Kiss Me Kate pressed all of my Musical Theatre buttons. What a show.
Thanks for inviting me