Members Area
Members Area
Wellington Operatic Society
Sugar
The Wellesley Theatre, Wellington
Friday 13th May 2016
After a hectic week in the office and on David Beach duties I was thoroughly looking forward to my first view of this work as a gentle ‘cut-away’ from reality and an opportunity to wallow in the fine tradition of musical theatre: The simple pleasure of escapism. Sugar may not be the best known musical in the world but the film on which it is based: Billy Wilder’s Some Like it Hot is something of a classic, and a personal favourite.
The team at the lovely Wellesley were charming and welcoming as usual, showing my wife and me to very good seats and allowing us to soak-in the preshow atmosphere. The gorgeous, swagged curtain, lit gently in lilac provided the back drop to a couple of period night-club style tables on each of which stood candelabra which I was pleased to see a stagehand emerge to discretely light a few minutes before curtain up: Nice attention to detail. The lights dimmed, the band struck up for the overture and the world of musical theatre began my own private therapy session.
Musical Director Hillary Wickham’s eight piece orchestra was packed with brass- perfect for this show – and immediately showed us their competence: tight, clean and very well-controlled, they would continue to demonstrate their quality throughout the show, supporting the singing and adding substantially to the ‘whole’.
Director Susan Stratton chose to present a pleasingly pacey show – scene transitions lead by Stage Manager Kevin Stratton were smoothly executed, often with action continuing in front of them, letting the narrative flow and the energy to be maintained without interruption. Scenery and staging was neatly conceived – a very clever railway carriage rotating to reveal the sleeper accommodation inside for example.
Casting was well considered: the three main protagonists Marilyn, Tony and Jack…. Sorry that should be Sugar, Joe and Jerry are crucial to the success of this piece. Hannah Green as the Marilyn Monroe character Sugar Kane suited the role very well indeed: perky, ditsy and attractive with the added benefit of a good singing voice and a relaxed on-stage confidence giving a believability to her performance. The Jack Lemon character Jerry was taken by Ian Oliver who brought a Lemonesque tension and controlled nervous energy to the part, showing himself to be another strong singer with plenty of presence. The third of the leading triumvirate: Leon Searle, taking the Tony Curtis character Joe, was a great choice of performer. Leon carried the part with apparent ease giving us some moments of excellent comic timing, lovely singing and commanding the stage with a sense of utter security as a performer.
Supporting roles were good too: Monica Spalding as Sweet Sue, Darren Burns as Bienstock, Tommy Thompson as Sir Osgood, Ashleigh Payne as Dude and Michael Cole as Spats Palazzo all showed us the strength and depth of talent available at Wellington Operatic Society. The Society Synchopaters Ferne, Jessica, Steph, Casey, Alice and Dawn added glamour, dance and strong singing. Knuckle’s (Kirk Shepherd) gang comprising Darren, Tony and Nick, and Spats’ Gang comprising Holly, Bonnie, Michael, Ashleigh and Matt all contributed fully.
The story of a pair of likeable rogues on the run from the mob having witnessed a murder and taking the escape route of cross-dressing and joining a girls-only touring band is pleasingly unlikely but was clearly and entertainingly delivered by this experienced group. There were moments of high comedy: As Ian Oliver’s Jerry gets carried away with his female persona and accepts millionaire Sir Osgood’s marriage proposal. There were moments of high quality too: as Leon Searle’s Joe takes centre stage to give the audience his best Frank Sinatra with Doin’ it for Sugar and It’s Always Love.
I cannot pretend that the show was perfect: the second act being far better paced, with smoother cue-bite and slick confidence than the first, rather slower act. Also I found several performances a little ‘shouty’ and felt that performers were forgetting that they were wearing microphones. However, as a whole this was a very well presented, great-to-watch entertainment which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Thank you for inviting me to watch your show