Crazy For You

There is only one word I can think of that sums up the whole experience. WOW! From the start to the end of the evening it was an exceedingly enjoyable experience, from arriving with the friendly front of house staff to leaving hearing all the audience praising the show and company to the highest. I even had to remind myself at the interval that I was watching an amateur production as the shear level of talent was astronomical. The creative team must have been ecstatic when casting this show to have such incredible talent at hand to make their vision blossom into a masterpiece of theatre. I must admit it was impossible to find any element to criticise.

 

Martin Beaumont took the ambitious job of Director and Choreographer of this classic piece of musical theatre, which draws on the Golden Age of American theatre with a timeless musical score. The shear volume of dance numbers in this show may be daunting to some directors but Martin really showed that amateur theatres can tap their way through even the most complicated pieces. As a keen dance enthusiast I have to say that the routines where simply iconic and really did draw from the timeless dances of the 30s and 40s. This was most demonstrated by the amazingly talented Ben Bailey who played Bobby Child, who danced round the stage with such mastery you would have thought he had been pulled out of 1930s Broadway.

Sarah Lucy Penny, who was Musical Director of the show, did such an amazing job of teaching the cast to sing with such professional excellence. The harmonies that this cast achieved under Sarahs careful instruction were flawless and this was demonstrated seamlessly by the opening number of Act 2, ‘The Real American Folk Song’, led by Aaron Bolton playing Moose, Mark Jardine playing Mingo and Thomas Peck playing Sam.

The set was wonderfully designed to create an excellent backdrop, but didn’t impede the overall running of the show. This was obviously well thought out and the stage crew did an excellent job with the mixture of fold out set and projections. Martin and Kieran Danby, who was Stage Manager, must have worked really closely to make these changes so effective with some set changes being covered by some of the excellent dance routines.

It was plain to see how much the cast loved being on that stage, as every single member of the cast had the biggest smile on their face throughout the whole evening. Every member of that cast gave their all and looked like they had been working together for years. The young ladies playing the follies did exceptionally well and were so in sync and really captured the true essence of the group, led by Sarah Brodie as Tess and Gina Hobson as Patsy, who just were a burst of energy. Gina Garton played the formidable Lottie Child, whom was the true embodiment of the overly nurturing mother, against the softer caring nature of Everett Baker played by Kevin Hickson.

Like most of the audience I was cheering after watching ‘Naughty Baby’ performed by Georgia Wormald playing Irene Roth and Richard Foot playing Lank Hawkins, proving that opposites do attract. These two with their polar opposite mannerisms where cast impeccably with Irenes confidence and elegance oozing in every movement and Lanks rugged brashness dominating every well-placed facial expression.

Ian Appleyard certainly threw himself in to the flamboyant role of Bela Zangler and was paired, for my favourite part of the show with Ben Bailey, performing the song and accompanying scene of ‘What Causes That’. These two worked almost as one to make this scene perfect with a performance that would rival Laurel and Hardy. This pairing in my eyes was only rivalled by the amazing professional chemistry of Ben and his co-lead Elinor Kirby playing Polly Baker. These two can be summed up with two words, triple threat. Both could have comfortably fit into a professional show. They’re sing was beautiful, dancing sublime and acting was second nature to them. Polly was indeed a perfect representation of an assertive, self-reliant woman, her characterisation was wonderful and I had goose bums when she sang ‘Someone to Watch Over Me’. I do want to give these two a massive round of applause for the part they had in making this show such a masterpiece.

I don’t think there are enough words within the English language to fully emphasise the true genius of the creative team and cast that made this show possible. I have come to expect a great show from Hessle Theatre Company but I think this one has surpassed my expectations. This group leaps from strength to strength. I don’t know what more they can do to show that they belong beside professional groups. So to all the cast, crew and creative team of Crazy For You I leave you with three more words. You are Flawless!

 

 

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