Carousel

 

‘Carousel’ has one of the greatest scores ever composed for a musical.  The songs are either bursting with energy and life or full of romance and affection, and of course the anthem ‘You’ll never walk alone’ is one of the most beloved of all show tunes. It promises hope despite the deep sadness at a time of loss, and was Richard Rodger’s favourite score.

The set was creative and the deep steps at stage left afforded an opportunity to create interesting settings using the different levels, as did the ‘boardwalk ‘at the back of the stage. Aunt Nettie’s house was fine except that when the door opened the flat behind was clearly on view. The backcloth of the sea was unusual for this show and worked in linking the story to the waterfront and beach.

The long and beautifully played overture was enjoyable both aurally and visually.  The opening scene was full of life and the idea of a Carousel which was operated by the backstage crew was inspirational.

Having worked with Rob Richmond and being familiar with the roles that he usually plays, namely in operetta, I wondered how well he would make the transition to a ‘modern’ musical and to playing such a different type of person. However he put across the character of Billy Bigelow, the strutting confident fairground barker, very well indeed - despite his rather young and ‘un-lived-in’ countenance! There were a couple of difficult notes to hit but his singing was strong and his diction was faultless. A little more reaction was needed when Julie told him that she was pregnant – it was not the special moment it should have been. The duet with Julie ‘If I loved You’ was superb.

For her stage debut with WAOS, Elizabeth Snowdon-Reeve was first rate as Julie Jordan, the simple mill-girl bowled over by the carousel barker. She was vulnerable but had a quiet strength, clearly loved Billy unconditionally and was prepared to accept the flaws in his nature. Her singing was excellent. Julie’s friend Carrie, Victoria Percival, gave a fine performance. She was full of fun, her timing for the comedy was spot on and her singing was very good. The scene with both girls, when deciding who should stay with Billy, was beautifully staged and acted and I loved the scene in which she described to Julie her experience of the theatre.

Sam Moylan-Heydt made a suitably blowsy Mrs Mullin coming across strongly as the Carousel owner, but I felt a little more could have been made of her undoubted attraction to the younger man Billy and their symbiotic relationship. Nevertheless she gave her usual sound and watch-able performance.

The ‘Clambake’ was a good number and the business with Jigger and Carrie was very funny. (‘This was a real nice clambake’ was originally written for ‘Oklahoma’!’ and was entitled ‘This was a real nice hayride’)  In the role of Jigger, the bad influence in Billy’s rather troubled life, Mark Mowbray was deeply sinister and definitely not to be argued with in his plans for the robbery of Mr. Bascombe.  His slicked back hair and demeanour made him a threatening presence and he played the part most convincingly. The business of demonstrating the fireman’s lift to a gullible (or hopeful?) Carrie, momentarily showed another side to Jigger‘s creepy character.

June Saich was a lovely Aunt Nettie; caring and yet businesslike when she needed to be.  The minutes after Billy’s death were beautifully acted and June’s rendition of ‘When You Walk Through A Storm’ was very moving – I had a tear in my eye.

The charming and slightly eccentric Enoch Snow was absolutely safe in the hands of Matthew Gardner who, despite looking rather young for the role, carried it off with aplomb. His singing of ‘When The Children Are Asleep’ was super.  Brian Higgs was good in both the parts he played and I especially liked him as the relaxed Starkeeper - ‘Heaven’ was artistically created with lights and stars.

Those members of the company playing the remaining characters acquitted themselves well and supported the principals - as did the whole company. Chorus singing was good, the dancing was performed with confidence and the children on stage added to the overall feeling of a real community. Stage groupings were attractive and the choreography was pleasing to the eye but the routine for the girls dressed as Eastern Beauties lacked the eastern style of dance.  ‘Clambake’ was set well and the choreography in ‘June’ was effective. The ballet was good and Julia Da Costa was charming in the role of Louise.

There was very little drama in the moment of Billy’s death, in fact I didn’t even realise it had happened, but in contrast his return to earth and his presence at the graduation ceremony was a commendable scene and beautifully acted by the leads involved. The business with the star was very moving.  The numerous smaller Snow children were charming and Rhiannon and James were assured as Hannah and Enoch. Loved all the pink dresses!  Costumes were suitable for the piece and hair-styles were appropriate.

Accents were mostly good and the pace and energy-level were consistent.

Backstage crew worked quickly and quietly and as members of the cast fitted in nicely, but when they were clearing/setting scenes as crew they would have looked better without white arms/sleeves. They just stood out in the darkness.

The production team of the three ladies, Lorraine Landon, Laura Brown and Hannah Dare put together an extremely enjoyable musical and I had a great evening.

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