Call Me Madam

'Call Me Madam’ is one of the older musicals rarley performed these days and yet it is such a delightful, light hearted piece brought to life by Irving Berlin’s fine melodies.

Mrs. Sally Adams, a wealthy American Socialite, is sent to the fictitious Lichtenburg as Ambassador. While there she causes havoc by interfering in Lichtenburg’s politics and financial affairs and develops a love interest in their Foreign Minister. Despite her various faux-pas, all ends well.

Sally (Debbie Beveridge) with her strong mezzo voice and clear diction certainly knows how to deliver lines and command the stage. She was well matched to Cosmo (Kenneth Anderson), her love interest, the two making a solid pairing both vocally and dramatically. ‘Marrying For Love’ was indeed very romantic. Sally is accompanied to Lichtenburg by her aide Kenneth (Martijn Van Waveren) who gave a most charismatic performance conveying his love for the Princess Maria (Rachael Coatham) a most accomplished singer and dancer who looked lovely. These two juvenile leads were a convincing couple. Kenneth’s ‘Once Upon a Time’ as he dreams of what might be was a joy to listen to as was the duet ‘It’s A Lovely Day Today.’

The trio of senators Wilkins (Gareth Rudd), Gallagher (Neil Bowie), and Brockbank (Willie French), brought real humour to the production no more so than in their slick, well moved ‘They Like Ike’. Other supporting characters and cameo roles were well cast and very well played indeed.

As well as having a very good principal line up, the ensemble work was consistently strong with clearly defined part singing. ‘The Ocarina’ was a perfect example of this where harmonies came across loud and clear. It is always evident that every member of this company enjoys what they are doing. Each person develops an individual character getting involved and reacting to what is happening so that there is a real sense of cameraderie on stage. The choreography too was well thought out and executed with enthusiasm by the cast.

A fairly simple set with minimal props all worked well and were enough to create the appropriate scenes and atmosphere intended. The orchestra in the capable hands of Nancy Kent was in great form and supported the singers well. I thought it was a lovely touch when after the final curtian Nancy announced that it was a special birthday for one of the orchestra and invited the audience to join the cast in singing ‘Happy Birthday’.

'I Wonder Why - You’re Just In Love' is probably the best known number in the show and had the audience singing along during the reprise in the Finale of Act 2.

Once again this was a well rehearsed, beautifully costumed most entertaining production which I enjoyed very much. Congratulations to everyone involved for your obvious commitment.

 

 

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