Boogies Nights

For a couple of hours we are in the 70’s, and covering a period which includes the death of Elvis Presley in 1977. A time of flares, platform soles and lots of hair, and a sketchy tale that tells of Roddy, played by Gregg Weaver, as one who cares only for his own wants, with a life focussed (in varying degrees) on booze, his long term girl friend Debs and other birds, but with a burning desire to become a pop star. Debs, played by Lucy Mellow, though sure that she loves him, realises that it will not work especially after the death of their baby. This role was given heightened interest by its characterisation in a challenging and aggressive manner to an unresponsive Terry. Reality took over when she started a relationship with Dean, played by Peter Norfolk, a DJ and friend of Roddy’s, thus leading to a few local difficulties, but eventually to a final scene marriage. Lynda Western played a convincing Trish, best friend of Deb, successfully bringing comedy into the task of keeping an eye on Deb. Spencer, leader of, and singer with the Love Machine disco, is well played by Lee Weston, as someone truculent and having difficulties in his relationship with his girl friend singer Lorraine, played in some style by Jo Morris. Terry, Roddy’s best friend, played by Ed Talbot, had the task of seeing him through all the little difficulties and being best man at the wedding of Dean and Deb’s. Trying and for the most part failing to keep Roddy on some sort of path was his father Eamon, a die-hard fan of Elvis, often away with the fairies, but one of the best characters in the piece and very well played by Bill Kitchen.The plot and relationships have a relatively small part to play in the impact and enjoyment of the show, in comparison with content and performance of the music. Consider that the numbers included the following among many others:-
Celebration, If You Leave Me Now, Lady Marmalade, Always On My Mind, All Shook Up, Bye- Bye Baby, I Love You Just The Way You Are, I Lost My Heart to A Starship Trooper, Disco Inferno, I Will Survive, Always On My Mind, If You Leave Me Now, Boogie Wonderland, Ain’t No Stopping Us Now.
There were some very good numbers, particularly Don’t Go Breaking My Heart as a duet from Debs and Dean, Jail House Rock, from Eamon, Y.M.C.A. from Spencer, Roddy, Terry, Dean, Eamon. Performed with intent and feeling, whether solo, group or chorally, many of the numbers came over very well, but it must be said that there were difficulties with company numbers, where solo interjections were simply not heard. Whilst the five part orchestra also did very well, its unshielded position on the auditorium floor, with drums and piano closest to the audience, did not help the sound balance. Scenes were fairly simple and changes executed well enough with stage lights out. Cover music for the change was played, but apparently only for the allotted bars in the score. Hence, periods of dark and silence. Cover really should be extended by repetition to avoid this

The whole essence of the show is energy and thus movement. It was evident that the production thesis was to include the whole company in communal movement rather than have small numbers of specialists to add the glitz. I have some sympathy for this approach, which involves everyone as far as possible to the best level obtainable. With the style and amount of rhythms involved it was almost inevitable that there seemed to be a repetition of some stage pictures. However it really didn’t matter, because the question to be answered is – did I enjoy the experience?. 
YES I DID enjoy the evening very much and judging by the curtain reception I’m pretty certain that the rest of the audience were of similar mind. With best wishes and thank you for having me !
John Warburton

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