Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Here we have a prime example of how a well-known film, in this case starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin, can translate so very well to the stage in the form of musical theatre. With great songs, loveable rogue characters and a clever plot, Swansea Amateurs took this show to their heart and gave a great performance.

The audience were greeted with a wonderful set, built by the company, which was bright and summery, capturing the French Riviera. The costumes were well sourced and lighting, timed with finger snaps from one of our lead characters, well thought through. The band was set behind the action on the stage and was well guided by Ashley Eynon-Davies.

The production skipped along with much humour and slapstick comedy as the principals worked seamlessly with each other on stage and the ensemble always added rather than distracted as can all too often be the case. Our main characters were Lawrence and Freddy. Dafydd Mills as Lawrence and Jevan Cannon as Freddy had a fabulous relationship on stage and both played their parts with great aplomb demonstrating good voices, huge energy and an acting ability that lit up the stage every time they were on. This is something that all the principals had and mention must also go to Bethan Williams giving a fantastic performance as the queen of the con Christne Colgate aka The Jackal, Katie Donovan as Jolene, Clare O’Leary as Lenore, Miranda Millar as Sophia and Brenda Davies as Renee.

There were two performances that certainly gave the audience particular enjoyment and the fabulous on-stage relationship between Jean Buckalnd as Muriel and Keith Milward as Andre Thibault was humerous, touching, and above all wonderfully entertaining. They both had great numbers which they sang and danced with pizzazz and this just added to the overall pleasure of the gathered throng in the Dylan Thomas Theatre.

Thank you and congratulations Swansea Ams and I look forward to the production of Fiddler next year!

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