Company

An excellent show performed by a cast of fourteen  of the most talented and experienced performers, who were well supported by a small but effective ensemble, all under the direction Emily Armstrong and Dexter Whitehead, set in  New York It tells the tale of five couples and their lifestyles as seen through the eyes of their bachelor friend and also his personal relationships with three single girls to whom he cannot make a commitment to any of them.

The Principal line up comprised Aarron Armstrong-Craddock as Bobby, who was hardly off stage.  Bobby is celebrating his 35th birthday and his friends, who are all couples, plan a surprise party for him and we meet each couple in turn together with his three girlfriends with whom he cannot commit.  First we meet Sarah (Louise Farmer and Harry (Mark Nattrass. Louise did a sterling job performing on crutches.  Then Joanne (Liz Berriman and Larry (Alan Lowe) and Peter (Richard Millward and Susan (Michelle Dawes).  Jenny (Laura Hilton and David (Tom Cooper) then arrived followed by Jamie and Paul played by Robbie Newton and Paul Atkins.  Bobby’s three girlfriends were played well by Georgina Kerr-Jones as April, Sophie McCoy as Kathy and Terri Ann Ashford as Marta.     All of the principals and ensemble gave fine performances of their respective roles.  No weak links here .The Orchestra under Russell Painter  was excellent and played its part in keeping the show racing along and assisting the cast in interpreting and delivering a difficult score. The solos were good  but the stand out numbers for me were “You Could Drive a Person Crazy”, "Getting Married Today”,  "Side by Side by Side”, “Ladies who Lunch” and “Being Alive”

The set was basic, but very effective, and relied upon the interchanging of the sofas, chairs and props which was undertaken seamlessly by the ensemble. Similarly the lighting plot and sound added to the mood of the various scenes.

A good nights entertainment.

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