Acorn Antiques the Musical

Exmouth Musical Theatre Company’s version of Acorn Antiques was a little different, as you can be sure that the director Helen Rushton’s trademarks were all over it. There were some great touches such as a little "Les Miserables" moment in it with a waving flag. Helens imagination and flair comes to the fore in her direction and she should be congratulated for her ingenuity.

Sue Bonnett has acting experience aplenty and the role of Miss Babs was tailor made for her. She played the part with great skill, not taking her eye off the ball once!

 Grace McNeil as Miss Berta did splendidly and also sang beautifully in "Remind Him". Jo Killoran as Bonnie, had what it took for this role and sang "Once in a Life Time" with enviable ease!

Mrs Overall (Anne Killoran) what can one say? She not only looked the part as defined by Julie Walters, but got the accent perfectly, along with great movement, that is so essential for this demanding role. It was ten out of ten and at times, I had to pinch myself for not thinking it WAS Julie Walters, just a brilliant bit of crafted acting. A joy to watch!

Who else could have played the role of Clifford other than Mike Killoran? He performed with humour and sensitivity and sang "Remind Her" with feeling.

 Lance Vernon (Tony) made this role his own, great singing and acting. Mr Watkins (Howard Kelman) did well and did not overdo the campness of this role, well partnered by Derek enthusiastically played by Hugh Chudley, although  at times there was too much of the limp wrist, that looked almost like an infirmity! Their duet was not as sensitively performed as it could have been and the love and affection between them was somewhat lost.

Adrian Fox as Hugh did well, as did Emma Chudley as Mimi, they both developed their roles from the useless teenagers on work experience through to the dedicated and suitably dressed sales assistants with great skill and a lot of humour.

The supporting roles were well portrayed and distinctive. The Chorus along with the Principals obviously put a lot of work into this production and it showed. With good costumes and a super set, the excellent band, under the skilled baton of Simon Carter, this was another show to be proud of and a very fitting tribute to the amazing talent of the much missed Victoria Wood.

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