Anything Goes

I attended the dress rehearsal of the Philharmonic’s production of “Anything Goes” and as it ran virtually faultlessly as a show, I have opted to include it in these show reports even although the run will not complete until after the deadline for copy. Under the established production team, the company staged a bright, snappy and colourful show in Ayr Town Hall – not the best venue for shows such as this – but the result demonstrated the ingenuity of which our amateur companies are capable. What a pity the venue does not reward such sterling efforts by attracting strong support from audiences – but it never has done so for this type of entertainment! Andrew Miller fitted comfortably into the role of Elisha Whitney, the billionaire financier embarking on trip to England, Adam Dawson playing his assistant the luckless Billy Crocker. Rita Duncanson and Connor Kirkpatrick complemented each other as the heiress Hope Harcourt and Lord Evelyn Oakleigh respectively with Margaret Nicol tagging along as Hope’s mother Evangeline. Pauline Kerr gave a glamorous performance as the delectable evangelist turned night-club hostess Reno Sweeney with her shapely backing group of Angels in the forms of Purity (Charlotte Rodger), Chastity (Laura Brown), Charity (Nicola Hume) and Virtue (Laura Aitken). Colin McDonald took the part of the apparent clergyman Moonface Martin but who in reality is a gangster (Public Enemy Number One) complete with violin case housing his gun or mysteriously (for him) a fiddle! David Russell made the briefest of appearances as the other clergyman Reverend Henry T Dobson before being carted off to the brig. Robin Doncaster gave a fine performance as the bemused Captain of the USS America. The remaining minor principals and the chorus of ship’s crew and passengers completed the cast. The orchestra of seven players was more than adequate for the hall and great care was taken by the sound engineer to ensure that the principals’ radio mikes were well balanced and no glitches would occur in this difficult venue. This was an evening to enjoy the music of Cole Porter in a venue which is reasonably comfortable despite its shortcomings. Hopefully, the famous Ayr Gaiety Theatre will be available after some refurbishment for the company’s production in 2013!

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