ACORN ANTIQUES: THE MUSICAL!

Thank you so much, Colwyn Abbey Players for your invitation to see this comical musical production, it was a real tonic after a dull day in November. We were still laughing a couple of hours after the performance had finished. It was the right choice for the company and the cast carried out their tasks demonstrating their talents with each character. Acorn Antiques in the town of Manchesterford, is run by two sisters, Miss Babs (Sharon Huxley) and Berta (Andrea Higgins) with the help of their friends Mr Clifford (David Huxley) and Mrs Overall (Sue Buckley). Disaster strikes the High Street when the owner of the shops decides to sell out to franchise. A third sister, Bonnie (Gillian Stretton), who originally brings out the devious streak in her character and tries to out do the sisters, arrives on the scene to buy the shop and make a fortune for herself. Needless to say all turns out well in the end.

It was evident the cast had studied their characters at great length, each one maintaining their characterisation throughout. Sharon Huxley gave us a professional performance as Miss Babs as did Andrea Higgins as Berta, and David Huxley showed his versatility as Mr Clifford – even though he suffered from amnesia after a bang on the head so couldn’t remember he was once engaged to Berta. An outstanding performance from Sue Buckley as Mrs O, maintaining her Brummie accent throughout and the delivery of her dialogue and timing with the comedy and inuendos was superb. Sterling performance from Gillian Stretton as Bonnie who like the bad fairy comes good in the end. Nice contributions from Emily Highcock as Mimi and Calum Noakes as Hugh, two young people on work experience. All these characters fully immersed themselves in this piece and delivered all their musical numbers with confidence and were supported by a wealth of talent from other members of the cast. I must however, mention the Tip Top Tap sparkle routine led by Mrs O. This was a great number, well choreographed with the large company, lads and lasses, using every inch of the stage – brilliant!

The set was adequate, managed by an experienced crew and with appropriate costumes and props adding to a fab evening’s entertainment. Well deserved accolade from the appreciative audience, I could happily see it all over again.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.