Crazy For You

                                                                           

I was warmly welcomed at front of house by Donna Goddard.

The set was produced by the society and was mostly turn around pieces denoting the theatre front and the entrance to the saloon with wheeled on furniture and fittings for the bar and hotel reception. All were superbly crafted and used to maximum effect.

From the beginning this production was fast moving, very colourful with stellar and enthusiastic performances from the principals and indeed all the cast. There were many well known and well loved musical numbers in this production, coupled with a good mix of comedy and humour. A strong American accent was displayed throughout by the cast. The choreography was superb, energetic, and very varied, ranging from tap dancing to ballroom to chorus line and involved the entire company The five Follies girls, Karla Brown, (Tess), Kirsty Lloyd (Patsy), Rachel Ings (Louise), Heather Davis (Mitzi) and Poppy Taylor (Susie) impressed with their exquisite routines, fabulous costumes and wigs.

Matt Scott, as Bobby Child the reluctant banker and would be dancer was very talented in this role, with great stage presence and I particularly enjoyed his vocal range in his solos, especially Things Are Looking Up and They Can’t Take That Away From Me. Sophie Holmes, as Polly Baker was well cast as Bobby’s love interest with memorable solos of Someone To Watch Over Me and But Not For Me. She also led the company in a rousing rendition of I Got Rhythm to close Act One.

Stewart Adkins, as Bela Zangler, a brooding impresario, gave a strong performance, coping well with a Hungarian accent! There was a number, What Causes That? with Stewart as Zangler and Bobby impersonating Zangler which the two actors carried off well. 

Maeve Borges, as Irene Roth, Bobby’s fiancée from New York, was striking in this role especially when she was seducing Lank, the saloon owner. Trevor Drury played Lank and there was a wonderfully choreographed song, Naughty Baby, well sung by Maeve and Trevor with the cowboys.

Tracey Hackett, as Lottie Child, Bobby’s mother was domineering and bossy as suited the role and Joe Geddis was Everett Baker, Polly’s father.

More comedy was amply supplied by Carole Hart, as Patricia Fodor and Matthew Waldie, as Eugene Fodor, a husband-and-wife team of “tourists”/ inspectors.

The cowboys and ensemble provided excellent backing to the characters, and I must mention the long black wig worn by Moose. Very realistic!

The costumes throughout were authentic and striking, thanks to Karla Marie and the wardrobe team. The lighting and sound were appropriate for the production.

The large and talented orchestra were ably led by Musical Director, Susannah Edom who provided good support to the cast. It was a pleasure to listen to the score so ably delivered and I congratulate Susannah for her leadership.

Finally, I must congratulate Director/Choreographer Aimee Hart, assisted by Alice Mason for her innovation and creativity, coupled with the ability to draw out the very best from this very talented cast.

Well done to everyone involved in any way with the production. I enjoyed it immensely, as did the enthusiastic audience.

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