Acorn Antiques - The Musical!

What a delight! Such a strong cast truly did justice to Victoria Wood’s marvellous writing.  A bittersweet experience, of course, as that great lady is no longer with us, yet such good fun to relive her talent, and enjoy the great talent of the cast from GTG.

The plot concerns a dastardly scheme by developers to update Manchesterford High Street, making the shopkeepers ‘offers they can’t refuse’ to take on a franchise – tattooing, sexy lingerie, nail bar, coffee shop. The Misses Babs and Berta discover a long lost sister, and also who their mother is, disaster is averted,  Mr Clifford’s amnesia reversed, a happy ending for all. But of course the whole show is peppered so thoroughly with Victoria Wood’s humour that I would love to see it again tomorrow!

Not only is Ms Wood’s humour so delightful, but the way our cast, masters of comic timing, were able to carry it off so well, made this a thoroughly hilarious and delightful evening’s entertainment. As Denise Hodgkiss remarks in her director’s programme notes: ‘to poke fun at early soap operas with their wobbly flats, missed cues, and acting as corny as the gags takes some doing. You must be very good to pretend it’s really bad.’ This team IS exceptionally good, I would say.

Polly King, as Miss Babs, gliding tweedily about the set, keeping up appearances, is ideally cast. An excellent piece of acting. Karen Scull as Miss Berta is the, if you like, more human of the sisters, hoping desperately that Mr Clifford will regain his memory of their love and engagement, lost after a blow to the head many years before. Ms Scull plays her wistful yearning to perfection.

As for Kate Williams as Mrs Overall – what can I say? -   she just WAS Mrs O, every single movement exactly right, with a gorgeous Brummie accent. I would love to know how long it took her to perfect the role. A superb performance, BAFTA award winning standard!

Mary Logan gave a punchy performance as the long lost sister, Miss Bonnie, arriving into the world of Acorn Antiques like a visitor from Outer Space as the slick representative from the modern coffee shop chain. She turned out a loving and loyal member of the family, an interesting and surprising transformation. A strong performance yet again.

Spencer Cummins made a good Mr Clifford, and Peter Flew and Paul Prebble were the wonderful villagers Mr Watkins and his partner Derek, they will also stay in my mind.

The dance numbers were superb, especially Tip Top Tap. They must have been a delight to do, well done Alison Chapman, choreographer, and the whole cast.

Such good characterisation throughout, brilliant musical numbers, excellent dancing, fine timing, congratulations are certainly due to Denise Hodgkiss and the entire team. Thank you for this fine production, the opportunity to celebrate the work of Victoria Wood. You did indeed do her proud. Very much so.

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