All Shook Up

All Shook Up

Songs of Elvis Presley

Book by Joe DiPietro

Performed by Tiverton Junior Operatic Club

At New Hall, Tiverton – Tuesday 13th February 2024

Directed by Dan Kilshaw

Musical Director - Lydia Fitton

Choreographer – Katie Hawkins

On 16th August 1977 the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, was lost to the world but his music was, and still is, legendary and lives on eternally through shows dedicated to his memory such as this production of All Shook Up.  What a joy that this production provides young people the opportunity to sing and perform classic numbers from Elvis’ back catalogue.

The story is based somewhere in the mid-west of America in the 1950’s with our leading man, Chad, just released from prison turning up in a dreary small town and ‘stirring things up a little’.

We enter the auditorium and the stage is dimly lit. Three grey cell block bars are positioned centre stage, in front of an electronic screen brightly displaying the show’s logo. The gallery area, stage left, shows an entrance to a museum, with a beautiful statue greeting you at the door. The eight -piece orchestra are positioned front of stage right. 

We hear the first two notes of Jailhouse Rock and the show begins. Chad, a good looking, leather clad, motor cycle ‘roustabout’, with five dancers dressed in orange prison overalls, belt out this iconic song. With a voice of real strength and a lovely stage presence the actor playing Chad is instantly likeable. Throughout the performance he sang with such maturity, using light and shade and with emotion and feeling. A great performance.  Needing a mechanic, Chad meets Natalie, a ‘grease monkey’ in her dad, Jim’s, garage and she is smitten with Chad, singing ‘One Night with You’. This actor had her work cut out with not only playing a tomboy/sweet mid-west girl but also an alter ego, Ed. She did this with ease and I enjoyed her lovely singing voice and characterisation throughout. Jim, a widower, still struggling with the loss of his wife is sympathetically depicted and his duet of ‘Don’t Be Cruel’, with Chad, in the shoe shop was amusing.

Natalie’s admirer Dennis, dressed in his checked shirt and bow tie, fails to gain her love. Portrayed by this actor with super comic timing and hilarious in every scene who eventually falls for the gorgeous, sassy Miss Sandra, whose rendition of ‘Let Yourself Go’ was insanely good. With a voice of top quality and a lovely portrayal, this actor sparkled on stage.

Sylvia’s Honky Tonk is run by Sylvia, with help from her daughter Lorraine, and its where the ensemble meet to provide us with a great version of ‘Heartbreak Hotel’. Sylvia is the ‘mom’ of the show and is played ‘warmly’ but with gumption. Lorraine and Deanna are in love and this worked really well, showing a same sex relationship as a change from the script, what a lovely touch. They acted effortlessly together with real believability. Matilda Hyde, the town’s mayor and mother of Deanna, is determined to control everything in the town. A fiery and highly-strung characterisation from this actor, with lines such as ‘cock yer pistol Earl coz it ain’t staying’, who is eventually subdued by Sheriff Earl, who, silent until the end, finally denying her ‘blasting’ orders to arrest Chad and instead confessing his love for her.  The story of ‘All Shook Up’ is complicated, relationship wise, and I am told based on the works of William Shakespeare which may have a bearing, but suffice it to say everyone finds their ‘lobster’, as Phoebe would say in Friends.

The principals were supported well by the ensemble member/chorus. Acting off line, at all times in every scene which shows attention to detail by the director, Dan Kilshaw and with strong singing and harmonies in the musical numbers which displays hard work in rehearsals by the MD Lydia Fitton. The choreographer, Katie Hawkins created memorable dance numbers such as ‘Jailhouse Rock’, ‘Come on Everybody’ and the subtle statues in the museum scene was also a lovely touch.

Every cast member was costumed perfectly for the 1950’s, from the colourful tea length swing dresses or skirts with petticoats for fullness and matching kerchiefs, Miss Sandra’s pencil dress, Natalie’s gingham dress, jeans for the men, leather jackets, overalls, togas for the statues and the wedding dresses for the finale ( although Matilda’s was very long but she coped brilliantly with it).

The staging was minimal but worked well, folding flats, built and painted by the company, provided Sylvia’s Honky Tonk, Jim’s Garage and The Shoe Shop. All of which moved with speed and ease by the stage crew allowing the show to run smoothly through scene changes. I loved the ‘1956’ 3D bus that arrived from stage left with driver too. Funny and expertly designed.

Great lighting throughout. Well done to whoever plotted this as it was perfect in every scene. From the moody greys of the Jailhouse, good use of the spots in ‘All Shook Up’ and the almost black and white projection of the abandoned fairground in Act 2, impacted the show in a very professional way, well done indeed.  Personal mics were used by most of the cast and there was a good level between the singing and the orchestra. An orchestra being too loud can ruin a show for its audience but this was an ideal parallel. And what an orchestra it was, with a fantastic sound from the eight musicians and the MD, Lydia Fitton, playing piano in the pit. 

I am a huge Elvis fan but had never seen a production of All Shook Up before however it was obvious that every cast member enjoyed being part of such an effervescent production and gave 100% commitment, producing a wonderful evening of memories for the audience and myself. I witnessed a cracking show performed by a cast of twenty-five young people, including twelve new members, which only goes to show that theatre is alive and thriving in Tiverton.

This was my first visit to TJOC as your Noda representative and both my husband, John, and I were overwhelmed by the welcome we received from Graham and your Front of House team. Many thanks indeed and I look forward to seeing your next production.

Lyn Burgoyne

Noda Representative (District 5, Mid and East Devon)

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