All Shook Up!

It was back to the Swinging Fifties for this show – and the company had the theatre totally rocking with their performance as the Presley songs came thick and fast, one after another, which the full company attacked brilliantly and, in doing so, gave full justice to the famous songs. There was a full-throttled Jailhouse Rock to open the show and the Act One Finale gave us a wonderful musical sound in Can’t Help Falling In Love. The principal players were all extremely well cast and all outstanding. Leading the way and playing the hip-swiveling, guitar playing roustabout, Chad, found Ryan Milne at his personal best. His was a rip-roaring performance containing all the necessary motions and gestures and it was an energetic performance, too – his leap-frog jump over a standing female was an absolute cracker to see! He had the necessary looks and great voice in putting over the famous songs. Equally outstanding was Rachel Hogg as Natalie, a young mechanic dreaming of love and adventure, and she also gave us her personal best especially in One Night with You. Such a shame the plot demands this character disguise herself as a man meaning she has to cover her face with a “shaving shadow” throughout a large part of the show. But . . . Rachel you still looked lovely, which was just as the story line required! There is many love “stories” throughout the show and one wonders who is going to get who, until all is revealed in the finale when there are numerous weddings. Among the assorted characters are Dennis, put over in great style by Greg McGonigal as a happy, hyper-active, “gormless” person; Terri Roberts was an excellent Lorriane, the daughter of local honky tonk owner, Sylvia, (Emily Moore), who delighted with there’s Only Me; and skilled Ellen Ryder played glamorous Sandra, the museum owner; then there was Mayor Matilda, (Lucy Reilly) who bullied the town in no uncertain manner and outlawed “life’s pleasures”! Craig Rose excelled as Jim, the garage owner, who turns into a leather-jacketed roustabout, and Connor Wilson impressed as Dean, the Mayor’s son who finds out some startling truths! And who can forget the “silent” Sheriff Earl, Neil Hartley who, when he finally speaks, brings much laughter! This spirited performance definitely had the audience All Shook Up with its many well-known songs and was a great night out for all concerned!

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