Copacabana

The orchestra under Mark Sharp set the tone and the standard for the evening with the first notes of overture, what a great sound from them, could have listened for hours in great pleasure, and how they enjoyed the swinging score and upbeat tuneful music.
 Chrissie Robertson and Carole Beatty had pulled out all the stops and rehearsed the cast into the ground to learn all that great dancing (whole cast too!) and what a successful venture and achievement into a kaleidoscope of disciplined and whirling brilliantly costumed cast. This was a real ‘company show’ with all putting their hearts, souls, and feet into overdrive and you must all feel immense achievement in pulling off such a professional show full of champagne bubbles, glitter, and razzamatazz: perfect for the end of Cromer Pier.
 The casting was ideal and could not have been bettered: Paul Allum as Stephen/ Tony had the looks and age, the smooth toned voice and personality, the style and the movement. Opposite him as Samantha/ Lola, Annabelle Abendroth was perfect as the ‘star to be’ with all those auditions into the star of the show, looks and voice and dance all what one would hope for. Incidentally mentioning those auditions, great that live on stage with Andrew Payne tinkling the ivories, good impact. A welcome return of Andrea Wilson in the role of Gladys, what an excellent casting with that bubbly personality and the voice and dance and acting, so pleased to see her back on stage. And opposite her in yet another great cameo character role, Nick Bird as Sam Silver, always such a good performer. Liked the hapless Willie struggling through circumstances from Robin Taylor, and the New York cop of Richard Delahaye, good characters plus joining in all that movement. To Havana and a change of scene and characters: great Conchita from Claire Reynolds with vocals and sultry looks perfect for her role, and coping with the villainous Rico ideally cast and acted in style by Matt Scantlebury liking the ‘baddy’ role (and for a ‘play’ person, how good the voice), obviously this duo really enjoyed their time on stage and what a sparking relationship.
 I dare not think of the frenetic and crowded backstage with all those glittering and fast costume changes, congratulations to the team and to the scenic crew who were well drilled and choreographed into all those changes.
 As a ‘company show’, I am certain that you are having a great week of the show and enjoying the fun of performance, congratulations to all and you must all have lost weight with all that exercise!
 I am so delighted that your Centenary Year went so well with NODA Awards for Norfolk in Best Play and Best Technical, and for the East with De Luxe Programme (a lot of research and work there). And the icing on the cake on Saturday was my chance to give the James Farr Award for ‘making a difference’ to Pat Chapman prompt ‘extraordinaire and special’ since 1993, and the feeling of support and delight for her in getting the award from the whole company (as if they had personally won it) was a magic atmosphere.

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