Oklahoma

 Oklahoma was the first musical from that well known partnership of  Composer Richard Rodgers and Librettist Oscar Hammerstein II and is based on Lynn Riggs 1931 play, Green Grow the Lilacs. The show opened on Broadway in 1943 and was a big box office hit which is still enjoyed by audiences today.  Set in the Oklahoma Territory in 1906, it tells the story of Laurey Williams who lives on a farm and has two rival suitors, cowboy Curly McLain and the sinister farmhand Jud Fry, there is also a secondary romance between cowboy Will Parker and the flirtatious, Ado Annie.
This excellent production from BOS Musical Theatre Company was brought to life on the stage by the very experienced production team of Director Liz Clarke, Musical Director Charles Moss and Choreographer Mary Forbs who had at their disposal some very talented cast members, who worked together and produced some wonderful entertaining characters for our enjoyment. They included Sophie McGuinness who really suited the part of Laurey, she acted well and sung beautifully, and was complemented by a very strong performance by Leslie Langley, as an excellent Curly, they both acted and sang together delightfully. Erin Bretherton was suitably ditsy as Ado Annie  Carnes and gave a very enjoyable, all round performance in this entertaining role. Craig Billington was energetic as Will Parker singing  and dancing very well with lots of enthusiasm, partnering Erin nicely, while Carl Sedman  as wheeler dealer peddler, Ali Hakim had a good accent and great comic timing which gave his performance of this character that something extra. Nick Lloyd  was suitably grim and seedy as as Laurey’s other suitor Jud Fry, Nick seamed to understand his characters inner demons very well which gave that added depth to his performance. Anne Powell  gave us a very good likeable characterisation as Aunt Eller, and  she also had good comic timing. Other good characterisations came from  Phil Power  as Andrew Carnes and Emily Caswell as Gertie Cummings  who both appeared comfortable in their roles. There was also a  lovely dance performance by Principal Ballerina Zoe Findlay who along with the other dancers performed expertly in the entertaining very well choreographed Dream Ballet.Generally American accents were more than satisfactory and with good clarity of words the plot could be followed easily. The chorus sang with gusto and performed  Mary Forbes lively well thought out choreography excellently with lots enthusiasm, supporting the principle cast well.  The orchestra led by Musical Director Charles Moss made a good sound playing the well known music expertly while supporting the company during the performance. Costumes were colourful, and just right for the era enhancing the production. Scenery was  minimalistic, on close inspection buildings were represented by their skeletons which was very effective, precipitating smooth transitions between scenes which meant the pace of the show was just right. Sound and lighting was good and effective so well done to all the backstage stage and Technical Crew.
 Congratulations to Director Liz Clarke for an outstanding show and thank you for an enjoyable evening and for making us welcome

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