Copacabana

A programme with a synopsis is essential in order to understand this musical, and the director’s notes were very helpful in that regard. Probably those members of the audience who didn’t buy a programme would have been at a loss to grasp quite what was going on. However the concept is a clever one and its’ development using characters already in Tony’s life does make it all clear eventually.

Right from the opening scene as Stephen, shortly to become Tony, Mark Turvill gave a relaxed performance. The style of the music suited his voice and he made a likeable and convincing, struggling song-writer.   As Samantha/Lola, Claire Leonard sang and acted well and presented her alter ego Lola, the keen but inexperienced singer, charmingly. The audition scenes ‘Man Wanted’ were very funny and we saw the character’s confidence grow for each one, culminating in a completely different interpretation of the song with the help of Tony.  Geninne Menzies was excellent as Conchita Alvarez, her accent never faltered, and as the cruel gangster Rico Castelli, John Payne was an arrogant and truly threatening presence in an otherwise light hearted and amusing story.

The ‘fight’ scene between him and Conchita was brilliantly done – I was actually afraid for her, and the black eye she sported for her next entrance enforced their abusive relationship.  Rico made numerous references to Conchita’s age that were out of place as she wasn’t made up to look old enough or ‘past it’ to merit them.  Bob Noble brought out the comedy in his role as Sam Silver but perhaps might have been tougher and more world-weary.  Leanne Dempsey, as Gladys Murphy, was suitably brash but showed a more sensitive side with Lola when necessary.

‘Copacabana’ is a musical containing a multitude of dance numbers, not surprising considering that the story is built around the Copacabana Night Club, and as such requires lots of energy and enthusiasm. The dancers certainly had that, and the choreography was performed with confidence and style. It was good to see those other ladies on stage have an opportunity to perform a little routine whilst the dancers changed costume. 

Samantha Finch’s choreography was good.  Some of the dance routines had similar movements in different songs but then there are only so many combinations of steps possible - and there were such a lot of numbers to choreograph!  It was a mammoth task for her debut as choreographer and she did very well. I really enjoyed the tap routine and the opening song in Act Two was great and full of energy, although the holds weren’t quite right in that Latin American section of dance.

Lighting enhanced the production with the ultra violet light creating a dream like feel at the start, and the shower scene was nicely done. The strobe lighting in ‘Kidding’ was particularly effective.  The sets were very simple, and for the bedroom scene the black cloths looked quite dreary and not suitable to represent anywhere that a man like Rico might have lived. Also the nightclub was rather bare with little glitz and only a couple of tables and the dancers to signify the venue.  The second act was at a good pace, and as always the chorus were well rehearsed and gave excellent support to the principals.

The whole show was beautifully dressed throughout.  ‘I’ve Just Arrived’ was super with a wonderful mix of bright colours (the only thing missing was gloves, which they would have worn in those days). One other small wardrobe point is that when girls are dressed as men they need black socks.

David Perkins and his musicians were undoubtedly capable but unfortunately the sound wasn’t balanced. The orchestra was too loud for all of the underscored dialogue. It seems a pity that the director doesn’t sit in the audience to check the sound level so that it can be corrected if necessary – and it often is!

‘Copacabana’ is not the easiest of shows for amateurs to tackle, nor probably high up on the popularity list from the audience point of view, however the cast were enthusiastic in their presentation of this all dancing musical and it was entertaining.

 

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