Foo Foo Follies

Foo Foo Follies staged by Rainhill Garrick Society at Rainhill Village Hall, Dane Court, Rainhill on Saturday, 14th May, 2022.

Foo Foo Follies is a brand-new musical penned and Directed by one of Rainhill Garrick Society’s very own… Linda Saavedra. In ‘The Garricks’ pre-show advertisement, this musical, which has been ‘shortlisted’ for the ‘Liverpool Hope Playwright Award’ (we wish her well), suggests that this is a ’musical fairy tale for adults’!  Set in a crumbling ‘Midlands Hotel in Morecambe’, where quirky characters roam loose and free, where comedy, tragedy and a smattering of ripe language can also be found in abundance!  This musical should have been performed by the Rainhill Garrick Society in February, but due to the pandemic it was postponed.   

The Rainhill Garrick Society are celebrating their 80th Anniversary this year, but this is the first occasion, that NODA (National Operatic and Drama Association) have been invited to attend one of their productions, Rainhill only joining NODA in 2020 just before the start of the Covid Pandemic.  So, I had the privilege and pleasure of being NODA’s first District Representative to be invited to view and review one of their productions! So as the lights dimmed, I sat back in eager anticipation….

As the curtains opened… we found ourselves in a very dilapidated ‘Midland Hotel’ where money is tight and that is reflected in the decor (and that pesky picture that wouldn’t lie straight) and in the bedraggled state of the employees!  We are immediately introduced to the ‘Show Stealer’… Gerald Walker who took on the principal role of ‘Foo Foo’ the hotels long standing Maid.  Gerald was perfectly cast in this role, wonderful stage presence, great comic timing, good singing voice; Gerald created a totally believable character in the form of Foo Foo!  Well done sir, great job!

We then meet ‘Diana and Dolly’ played by Lynn Aconley and Rosetta Parker respectively.  ‘Diana and Rosetta’, old friends of the owner Lord Algernon, are on their ‘annual pilgrimage’ to ‘The Midland’! Both Lynn and Rosetta, are blessed with great stage presence, great diction and they worked really well together and with the other members of the cast, good job you two be ever so proud!  ‘Lord Algernon’, played by Rick Young arrives at the hotel with his latest conquest ‘Ophelia’ played by Angela Vose. Lord Algernon wants to revitalise the hotel, but doesn’t ‘last long enough’ to pursue those dreams!  The Staff at the Midlands… can only be described as an extremely odd bunch!  Let’s start with ‘Old Albert’ played ever so well by Rob Williams. Albert is the Bar Manager and odd Job Man… he’s been employed at the hotel since before it was built… or so it would appear!  Albert doesn’t say a much, but as they say… ‘actions speak a louder than words’ therefore we were never left in doubt about what Albert was saying or thinking!  ‘Saying’ even less. Even more odd than Old Albert was ‘Googie’ played by Tracey Duffy. One ‘Googie’ was bad enough, but when four appeared… life became really scary!  Great characterisation, great facial expressions and mannerisms… never out of character well done Tracy… great job!  Richard Parker, took on the role of ‘Toby’ the nephew of Lord Algernon, who, on the demise of his uncle arrives at the hotel to supposedly try and restore it to its former glory, well done Richard, good job!  Probably, the only hotel employee that appeared normal was ‘The Chef’ played by Tom Nevitt.  Tom looked the part and created another great character. The ensemble who played various small roles and who formed ‘The Follies’ the hotels entertainment group… included Angela Vose, playing the part of ‘Ophelia’, Ruth Proffit played Abi Cadarbara, Alison Mawdsley played a ‘drunk’, Edi Tinsley, played a ‘Registrar’, Jo Webster.  Finally, not even a ‘walk on part’ but a ‘push on part’… was the ‘Morecambe Mermaid’ played ever so well by David Parker.  A cameo role at best, but David made this part his own… we done sir, great job!

Music was provided by Tim Evans on Piano.
Staging… the single set was excellent and provided a great platform for this production.  Loved the way the ‘Mermaids Throne’ was created from part of the hotel interior; this sort of thing helps with scene changes allowing them to be smooth and seamless… congrats to ‘Set Designer’ Richard Parker on a first-rate job!

Lighting… was simple yet effective and added to the production… well done Graham Swift
Sound… having been to Rainhill Village Hall on many occasions, I am more than aware of the problems and difficulties in achieving good sound … but this was as good as I’ve heard… well done Ian Schofield great job!  

I suppose, having now seen Foo Foo Follies the best way to describe it would be a ‘Dark Comedy’…littered with innuendo, double entendre and some decidedly risqué dialogue… all of which the audience appeared love!

Well done guys and thank you so much for inviting my wife and I to your production; I hope we get that chance to meet before your next production later in the year!

Stay safe and keep well…

Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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