Carousel

Carousel was a great choice for CODS and was well done indeed. As always, with this society, you know what to expect as far as the venue is concerned. The school foyer was transformed into a Carousel with ribbon, and other great touches, that helped create the atmosphere, and on into the   school hall which had been blacked out with curtaining. Good but simple props added to the show’s ambience with the Orchestra cleverly tucked away on a second tier.

The show was performed in the round, where it could be difficult for the whole audience to see the best angles, viewpoints and performances but CODS are skilled at this and managed it very well.

The acting was first rate, everyone in the cast playing their parts with skill and commitment!

A good strong chorus that gives the principals the backup they need, is essential and CODs never fail in this! A lot to do with their prowess when they perform their annual concert programme, I think.

The chorography was outstanding, complete with a young and particularly talented dancer; it gave it that air of quality that oozed from this production with an orchestra to match!

There was a clever scene that portrayed the Carousel itself with a maypole and horse cut outs. It was visually pleasing and easy to use and move and contributed to the seamless scene changes that happened without the audience really noticing adding to the slickness of this production.    

The casting was so good that there was no weak link, everyone performed so well, they all really deserve a mention , but I must point out Julie Jordan (Nicola Wood) who played the role so sensitively and in Billy’s death  scene had me blubbing! and what a singing voice!

Billy Bigelow (Jonathan Wood) again sung well and played his role with great authority. You wouldn’t want to argue with him!

Buffy May as Carrie Pipperidge sang wonderfully well, as we have grown to expect from this consummate performer and her acting skills matched throughout. A superb portrayal!

Starkeeper (Heather Barlow) was on stage the whole time, a difficult role having to keep up the performance the whole time watching and reacting to what was going on without detracting form the principals or the story

I must mention Penny Daw (Nettie Fowler) who gave a great performance along with Cathy Lamb as Mrs Mullins, and Paul Tebbit as Enoch Snow.

Georgia Steer (Louise Bigelow) gave a wonderful performance and danced very well. Mike Canning (Jigger Craigin) performed well as a menacing thug and sang” Stonecutters Cut it on Stone “well along with the Chorus.

 The whole show came over with a touch of professionalism, the chorus and principals, that had it all, and an innovative director in Ben Edgecombe who obviously knew what he wanted and got it! With a gifted choreographer in Amy Charles and an orchestra, under the baton of the very experienced Allan Fouracre,  that sounded super and allowed the audience to hear every word, this was a show to remember and gave huge pleasure to the audience who surely went out humming the very memorable and evocative musical numbers

For CODS to continue presenting such top quality shows in school halls and without their own theatre is a tribute to all concerned.

My congratulations to all concerned with the show.

Graham Liverton

Regional Councillor NODA Southwest

 

 

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