Helensburgh Savoy

Reviewed by: Ian M. Gray on Friday 4 November 2011
Venue: Victoria Halls, Helensburgh
Type of Production: Musical
Producer/Director: Frank Hotchkiss
Musical Director: Pamela Frew
Choreographer:

Show Report

With CMS’s “The Wiz” fresh in my mind, it was intriguing to compare it with the original, and each passed with flying colours. Frank’s first visit to Helensburgh should certainly have given him some pleasure, and his experiences further up the Clyde certainly showed with this production which ran smoothly. Katherine McPhie (Dorothy) overcame all the problems she was facing with aplomb, and showed talent for the future. Aimi Philips (Aunt Em and Glinda) ‘aged up’ quite convincingly and Brian Sayer (Uncle Henry and Guard) was suitably commanding. Neil Robinson (Zeke and Lion), Chip Charters (Hickory and Tinman) and Niall Cook (Hank and Scarecrow) as always took on the comedy aspects and Paul Lyden (Professor and Wizard) was as eccentric as the role demands. The Munchkins, thirty in number, elicited suitable reactions from the audience, and will hopefully become the cast in years to come.
Some ‘weel-kent’ faces from prior shows were absent from the stage, but were prominent front of house, helping the audience in a variety of ways, a very necessary aspect sometimes laid aside by clubs. That the audience obviously appreciated the attention and the show, was evident by the ‘buzz’ as we left to come home.