Curtains

First of all I must congratulate Maltby Musical Theatre Group, for bringing this new and under performed show to Rotherham Civic Theatre. As an audience member it was so nice to see a production that I knew nothing about. Over the years, MMTG have been renowned for bringing shows such as Big and Around The World In 80 Days to our district, that usually don’t appear popular on the amateur circuit. 

The story revolves around a group of actors and their production team as they perform a brand new show, Rob Hood, that they hope will make Broadway. However, on opening night, the talentless leading lady, Jessica Cranshaw, played by the very talented Karen Mills, is murdered and everyone is a suspect. Enter Lieutenant Frank Cioffi ( Andrew Trueman) who just happens to be the worlds biggest musical theatre fan, to solve the case. Andrew played the role of the Lieutenant with ease, acting, singing and dancing with impressive lifts throughout the entire production. Andrew’s love interest in this show is the leading lady’s understudy, played by the always impressive Anita Boylan. Anita’s comedy timing was spot on and a great squeaky American accent, which she manged to keep up throughout. 

Barry Foster played the camp and over the top director and the audience loved him. He had some great lines which he delivered well. I was still laughing at the line about the cat, all the way home. It was great to see some youngsters taking part in the production, from the ensemble to principals. Daisy Ellison oozes stage presence as the stroppy and slightly bitchy Bambi, or should that be Elaine? Louis Sykes played Bobby Pepper the lead role in Rob Hood. I must say, each time I see Louis on stage he gets better and better and I can’t wait to see what he does next. Fiona Broadhead as Carmen Bernstein was superb. Her acting and voice was first rate and worthy of a much bigger audience. I do hope Fiona gets to pay Mama Rose in Gypsy one day. Elaine Demaine, once again displayed what a fine actress she is in the role Jackie Harmon, Stage Manager, her scene in which she meets her end, was very impressive and beautifully acted. The rest of the principal line up was Mark Perry, Nicola Long, Ben Westoby, Karen Powell and Nigel Brewitt, who looked a little bit like Boris in his wig. 

The ensemble supported the principals very well with some energetic dance routines and great singing with some nice harmonies. However, there was a lesson to be learned from this production for anyone who wants to treads the boards. You don’t have to have a principal role to steal the show. Without saying one word throughout the production, Joanne Limb, stole the show as the theatre cleaner. From the way she walked, scratched, smoked, reacted, she was simply wonderful. I couldn’t take my eyes of her.

Thank you to all at MMTG for a great evening and to Sally, for your hospitality. Here’s to Calander Girls. 

 

 

 

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.