Call Me Dusty

It has been some time since I was invited to the first showing of this musical play. Since then, LYM have taken their production ‘on tour’ around West Yorkshire, to the delight of audiences wherever they have played.

The life story of Dusty Springfield has never before been so carefully researched and presented by the author, Derek Webb – a modest man, but his interest in this subject encapsulated the rise of a shy, young girl, passionate about music and stardom into the polished performer Dusty became. The whole production, directed brilliantly by Bryan Craven, was like a well-oiled machine – scenes moving forward by confident and talented actors, authentic costumes, wigs and hairstyling, with first-class performances.

I cannot heap enough praise on Jane Collins in the title role of Dusty. She began the first scene as a nervous schoolgirl, Mary O’Brien, so believable. Then, by swift and excellent costume changes, the duckling emerged as the ‘swan’ we all knew. I noted that this time around, Jane did, occasionally, use her own singing voice instead of miming to Dusty’s own recording. In looks and voice, she became Dusty, it was quite uncanny!

She was supported in all this by a small but talented cast of actors, each principal players in their own right – Richard Hunt as a probing journalist; Marie Isbister as various female friends, plus her Irish mother; Martin Isbister, as a gregarious American music producer; Matthew Jones as Tom Springfield, Dusty’s brother and finally, Graham Siddle as Dusty’s agent and manager. They all doubled up as other characters who moved in & out of Dusty’s life. There was a simple basic set and changes were noted by the moving of chairs, with images of Dusty displayed on boards. A video wall supplied other images, including a poignant film of Dusty’s funeral. She died tragically in her early 40’s from breast cancer. 

Dusty’s music will go on forever and this production will remain in my memory for a very long time. The production, taking place on the historic stage of the City Varieties, was in conjunction with a charity ‘Out Together’ which unites LGBT+ and generations to overcome social and cultural barriers, thereby supporting them. I think Dusty would have been so pleased with this.

Behind the scenes, as always, a stalwart group of creatives enabled the production to run smoothly – Bryan Craven and Carolyn Craven as Director and Assistant Director; Paul Harding, Stage manager; Dan Dainter, Lighting and Film Production; Chris Beardwell, Sound; Carolyn Craven, Costume, and Gilly Carr, Dresser. They deserve a special mention for their professionalism and talent.

This was indeed a special evening. I understand that LYM has now put ‘Call Me Dusty’, the musical play, to rest before embarking on other projects. I can’t wait to see what they come up with next!

 

My sincere congratulations to you all.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.