Company

Tonight was my first time seeing “Company”, and what a night it was! Sondheim’s wonderful music was in the more than capable hands of MD Alan Gibson at the keyboard, while artistic direction was confidently and knowledgeably looked after by Darren Rhodes. For this production, KAOS had moved from their normal space in the main house to the studio space with the performing area in thrust format. Attempting anything like thrust staging, following years of a normal proscenium stage must have been daunting for the cast, to say the least! But, give the cast their due, even although they would be able to see the white of the audience’s eyes, and, for some of the performers, were actually seated in the audience when not on stage – they faltered not!  A simple set comprising polystyrene cuboids painted in white and black were easily rearranged to form furniture and entrances as required. Technically, lighting, sound and costuming were excellent and, “Company” being quite a proppy show, the organisation of props (located just offstage and nearly in the audience!) was expertly handled by Julie McAndrew and Jo McConville, just two of the (usually) plentiful KAOS props personnel.

To the cast! And how well was this show cast? I could not fault any of them! The different relationships between the five couples was brilliantly portrayed. Sondheim’s music, never the easiest to sing was made even harder by George Furth’s lyrics, but again, the cast handled this with apparent ease.

I have purposely avoided naming individual cast members, because massive congratulations go to each and every one of them. Nick Tobias, Kay Dickson, Michael McFarlane, Eliza Twaddle, Ewan Robertson, Deirdre McFarlane, Charlie Sinclair, Joanne McCue, Grant Duffus, Fiona Brodie, Alan Blair, Laura Jenkins, Gemma Gray and Erin Sammutt all gave exceptional performances, and should be, individually and collectively, very proud of their performances.  

This is a show that will stay in my mind for a very long time. 

Congratulations to KAOS for choosing and making such an outstanding success of a rarely performed piece of musical theatre.

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