Anything Goes

Given a very walm welcome by Adrian Tatnall, and the purchase of the obligatory raffle tickets, we took our places in the auditorium and awaited the start. The scenery was hidden by a black drape, full width, but with a bar in front with the barman and Elisha Whitney engaged in a rhubarb conversation, joined by a few of the ladies ensemble. 

The orchestra struck up, the curtain was pulled back and we were greeted by a fantastic ships deck, which was very well lit bt Phil Edge and his Live Wire team. The overture started and the nine piece band led by Ben Lister made a very good noise and was at a reasonable pace. The sound balance by Rich Wyeth was just right with good balance between the band and the cast, which picked out the diction well, considering the array of differing accents that accompany this show

Some great costumes were very evident throughout the whole evening and really helped in transporting us back to the 1920's with all the associated accoutrements that accompanied the dresses of that very fashionable era. The diction was in the main of a high standard and the cast looked as if they were enjoying themselves which came across very well into the auditorium. They were led well by Suzanna Tompkins as Reno Sweeney, Josephine Tompkins as Hope Harcourt and Patrick Edwards as Billy Crocker. They all led the line well and were ably backed by Keith Stringer as Moonface Martin, Matt Carpenter as Elisha Whitney and Richard Peatty as Evelyn Oakleigh, whose pompous Englishness came over very well and was a delight to watch delivering "The Gypsy in me." 

All in all an enjoyable evening for the audience that came to see Anything Goes.

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