Anything Goes

Woodseats MTC continue to entertain Sheffield audiences never scared of performing classic musicals that continue to stand the test of time. They maintain the community theatre principal along with attracting new members and this was no exception with many new members taking principal and ensemble roles. The stage was simplistic with two sets of steps to a full width platform depicting a higher level of the SS American, the ship which most of the production takes place on. Cole Porter wrote so many show stopper numbers for not only the cast to enjoy performing, but also for the excellent 10 piece orchestra to play under the experienced guidance of Dominic Ridler your Musical Director. Bon Voyage, Its De-Lovely, You’re the Top, Blow Gabriel, Blow, All Through The Night and of course Anything Goes to name but a few. I really enjoyed the direction by Elissa Smith and choreography by Alice Carr and Megan Leybourne. The shaping with so many on stage was really well drilled, utilising the whole stage to good effect and even when smaller groups were dancing downstage the ensemble remained focused and totally committed.

The musical Centre’s around Reno Sweeney, a sultry evangelist turned nightclub singer by Annie Chadwick, A really powerful performance as you unravelled old friendships, you performed to a high standard, beautiful singing and acting. Some wonderful scenes with both Billy, Moonface and Lord Oakley. Beautiful renditions of many of those iconic numbers, in particular I Get A Kick Out Of You, You’re the Top and the showstopper Blow Gabriel Blow along with the Angels and chorus. Billy Crocker by Joe Pickin, a broker, in love with Hope, employed by Whitney. Great character part made up of many hilarious guises.Your teasing with Evelyn eventually winning your love interest Hope, lovely singing with such emotion during ‘All Through The Night’ and ‘Easy To Love’. Hope Harcourt by Evie Tooley engaged to marry Lord Evelyn Oakleigh by Drew Emerson,what a great contrasting performance from these two. Hope, the quiet young lady born into a seemingly wealthy family, but was it? Lord Oakleigh with the classic stiff upper lip, extremely well spoken, and a hoity toity London Gent. Such amusing scenes as he continued to list American phrases then using them inappropriately. Beautiful singing Hope with Billy and in The Reprise of ‘EasyTo Love’.

Moonface Martin by Peter Krajewski and Erma by Jessica Brandau, two really powerful performers with all your scheming, one the violin or should I say Machine gun player whilst the other, the temptress, great scenes including the skeet shooting, prison scenes, the devious handling of Whitney along with the duet between Moonface and Reno and wonderful numbers with Erma and the sailors. Elisha Whitney by Andrew Coan, The Yale man, great character part performed well, you certainly enjoyed a double or two. You certainly made good use of the many costume and character changes. Performing those ‘I can’t see moments’ along with the bedroom misunderstandings, well done. Hope’s mother Evangeline Harcourt by Mary Newey, so many great comedic moments, with wonderful timing and delivery. Lovely scene when secretly told the ship is about to sink !!Great interacting with the audience on realising you may not become well off but you got your man, Whitney, in the end. Spit and Dippy by Krystina Robinson and Khalish Smith two well performed roles, you both worked well with each other, some lovely cameo moments, reformed gamblers or maybe not. A powerful performance from the The Captain by Michael Balloch, a great strong powerful stage presence in speech and song during ‘Public Enemy Number One’ along with your purser by Sean Walker, many well performed scenes. A number of smaller cameos were performed with clarity, Henry T Dobson by Thomas Galway being but one along with the remaining ensemble. The angels gave some special moments during their varying numbers. Well done to Alice, Alice, Christina,Darcy, Em, Emily and Hollie. I was pleased to see so many involved in the tap numbers and compliments go to all abilities in mastering some of the dances as set. The costumes were mainly well chosen, full of colour and flair. 

The lighting by Chris Hanlon provided some lovely effects adding to the overall production and sound by Paul Minott was well balanced allowing the speech and singing to be heard clearly along with the excellent orchestra. The set changes mainly done by the cast but on the occasions backstage were involved it was done quickly and efficiently. 

A good solid production which you should be very pleased with the results achieved.

Thank you for the FOH hospitality from Dan Powell.

I wish you all success with the remaining performances.  

 

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