Anything Goes

This production of ‘Anything Goes’ has a new book by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman but the humour of P G Wodehouse seems to have remained intact.  The plot is complicated and unlikely but it provides a framework upon which to hang some wonderful Cole Porter standards – I Get A Kick Out of You, Easy To Love, You’re The Top, Friendship, It’s De-lovely, Blow Gabriel Blow, All Through The Night and more.

The libretto is full of sharp, funny one-liners.  Sometimes a lack of understanding of ‘the American language’ causes some of the best lines to be lost in amateur productions.  Not here.  The jokes were well delivered and received the audible laughs from the audience they deserved.

I always go on about the chorus at Hexham A S S.  I think they sound so good together.  Unfortunately, in this particular show they were not given a lot to work with.  What they did have, as ever, was delivered with considerable style and a very pleasing blend of voices.  There was also an energetic tap routine from the company, no imported dancers apparent, to close Act 1.  The band was very small, just six players, and this was a little apparent on occasion.  I felt these numbers, from the Great American Songbook, really needed a larger ensemble to show them at their best.

The action takes place onboard the SS America en route from New York to London in the 1930s.  On board with genuine tickets are Hope Harcourt (Becca Griffin), her mother (Beryl Amos), Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, her fiance (Kenny Toal) plus Reno Sweeney, a torch singing evangelist, (Mari Stewart).  Into this group wanders Billy Crocker (Henry Teuma) without a ticket, who fancies Hope but is fancied by Reno. Then there is the gangster Moonface Marti,n, played by Liam Olsen, and as his moll, Erma (Clair Caris). Plus two Chinamen.  Don’t ask!

Becca in her first principal role was sweet and promising as Hope.  Henry always looks just right as a young American male.  Usually playing the comic lead,  this time he pulled off the role of young leading man.  Mari was feisty as Reno, supported by a fine quartet of showgirls played by Hayley Grant, Gill Hall, Amanda Yates and Ruby Westlake, glorying in the names of Purity, Charity, Chastity and Virtue. Liam and Clair were particularly effective in their roles and exhibited some excellent comic timing. Kenny had some hilarious moments as the jilted Lord who very soon found himself happily in the arms of another.

Hexham always put on a very entertaining production.  On the technical side, they do wonders with the very limited space available backstage to manoeuvre their scenery.  The sound system never seems to let them down.  All in all, a most enjoyable evening in the company of the many familiar faces in the cast who make it all feel like a party with friends.

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