Carousel

Clearly this was a show of quality with all the principals assured and experienced, giving their audience enormous pleasure.  A special feature of this group was not only to sing well but also to further the narrative at the same time through clear diction, facial expressions and delicate nuances. This was evidenced by Catherine Brannan Usher who revelled in her role as the sparkly and mischievous Carrie Pipperidge, in her opening song ‘Mister Snow’ and by Iain Usher, her sober, upright husband-to-be Enoch Snow in their duet ‘When the Children Are Asleep’.  The female lead, Neshla Caplan as Julie Jordan set her stamp as an individual character from the outset whose love for the fairground barker, Billy, never wavered. Her duet ‘If I loved You’ was beautifully sung. J. Campbell Kerr excelled as Billy Bigelow dramatically displaying different aspects of his character and making a wonderful job of singing ‘My Boy Bill’ and ‘The Highest Judge of all’. His partner in crime, the villainous Jigger saw David McCabe at his best yet.  In fine voice, he brought us to see the con artist as well as the villain. Also vocally strong was Susan Russell in her character of Nettie Fowler, coming into her own as she supported Julie at Billy’s death with  a soaring ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. Holly Steel in the part of Louise gave a fine display of movement and expression, taking the audience with her without saying a word. These principals were bolstered by minor principals and a well drilled chorus-from the opening scene picture behind a gauze to the show ground (including the two clowns with their comic timing), to the well sung ‘Clambake’ and moving graduation climax. This was a show filled with highlights. Excellent work all round.

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