Carousel

Carousel is a mixture of tragedy, comedy and fantasy. A good brisk opening with a fantastic moving carousel. There was good support from Lou Wareing playing Mrs Mullin, who likes Billy and also likes the amount of feminine business he brings to the carousel, but she is also jealous of the girls he picks out for his special attention. Chris Metcalf as the fairground hustler had the right stature for the role, he was vocally up to the mark, his soliloquy was quite lovely but I felt lacked the cockiness and swaggering wife beating ruffian that was Billy Bigelow. Lucy Stewart as Julie Jordan was the warm and understanding foil for Billy’s temperamental outbursts, she also sang very well, I just wished that she had worn her hair a little more in keeping with the period, a touch too modern for the era, the second act was much more in keeping. I did like Caitlin Bibby as Carrie Pipperidge, she captured the capriciousness and happiness of her character, especially in the picnic scene with Jigger who was well played by Steve Dobson, possibly a little more menace to the part was required.

I did enjoy Paddy Holman playing Nettie Fowler she gave a very warm performance, and her singing of ‘We’ll Never Walk Alone’ was really good. Mike Clarke did well as Enock Snow, not an easy part to play. The Snow children were all confident little actors and actresses, and as always win over the audience. Jess Sharples was an expressive Louise, and Will Sharples did a good job as Enoch Snow Jnr. What can I say about the carnival boy, except fantastic what a dancer, a very well done to Chris Isherwood. The ballet was well danced, I liked all the smaller cameo important principles. The chorus throughout were in good voice and supported the principles strongly, so very well done Garstang Theatre Group, also costumes were very colourful, some very nice choreography and well done to Lucy Leather and her musicians. Again what a brilliant ‘carousel’, what a team making such a super set and making us all wish we could have a ride on the fairground. Thank you. 

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