DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS

Rhyl & District MTC, formerly Rhyl & District Amateur Operatic Society, was founded in 1938, with their first production H.M.S. Pinafore in 1939. In November 2018, ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ was the name of their chosen piece, and the Company really lived up to the title. Based on the 1988 film, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the society fielded an all - star cast for this hilarious piece of musical theatre which went down a treat.

Director Drew Noble must be justly proud of his efforts, together with Musical Director Craig Price and Choreographer Gail Astle. George Kelly gave an impeccable characterisation of the smooth talking con artist Lawrence Jameson. Hardly ever off the stage, George’s timing was spot on in all areas, his aside comments and facial expressions resulting in an excellent performance which  was greatly appreciated by the audience. Another first for Ashley McAllister as young con-man Freddy Benson, who dared to encroach on Lawrence’s patch. Ashley is an all-rounder, and comes up with the goods with each role he portrays. The two characters bounced off each other, thus extracting every ounce of comedy from the script, each trying to get the better of the other. Kat Hewish took her role as Christine Colgate with ease, steeped in her character throughout, and solid in all her tasks whether script, vocal or dancing. Craig Lee Jones gave us a faultless portrayal as Andre Thibault, Lawrence’s bodyguard, maintaining his precise French accent from start to finish. Craig’s ‘Chimp in a Suit’ was memorable. Jess Griffiths was in superb voice as Muriel Eubanks, particularly keen on and taken in by Lawrence, whilst Tammy Roberts as Jolene Oakes, the crazy woman from Oklahoma, wowed the audience from her first entrance.

The ensemble supported the main cast in all chorus numbers with excellent singing and choreography, and all minor roles were well executed. Costumes were well chosen. Back stage staff worked hard but there were one or two occasions when they masked the principles whilst moving props, and although the stage is small perhaps some more ‘lush’ props would have been an advantage to the set. Nevertheless a great production, super entertainment and a well-deserved standing ovation.  Thank you all for your invitation.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.