Half a Sixpence

In the middle of my notes I have just found the words ‘Cheerful…no, Joyful’ and I choose to start this short report with those words as they describe my feelings as I left the Playhouse Theatre after seeing WOS perform Half a Sixpence. This show has evolved several times during the 50+ years since its first performance and I believe this was the second version. Many of the songs are the same but with addition of several that were quite new to me.

With Kipps ‘narrating’ his story, it was presented as a succession of scenes each representing the latest event of his life. I liked this approach as every scene was a snapshot telling the ups and downs in the life of Arthur Kipps in song and dance. The pictures that the director created were each entertaining and attractive and with the addition of the talented actors singing and dancing were very engaging.

Sue Collins first direction of an adult production confirms what I recall of her excellent direction for the Oppitts. She has an eye for detail, excellent groupings and a good understanding of the show. So paired with Samantha Aylott’s energetic, innovative choreography and Richard Lennox’s expertise as MD and conductor of an excellent orchestra, this show was on course for success.

This success was guaranteed by the excellent casting of the performers. What a bevy of talent, so many of whom are principal performers in their own right… consequently groups of performers within the show e.g. the shop girls and boys  wowed the audience with their dancing and harmonic singing. The whole company including a talented section of WOS juniors (Oppits) shone throughout the show with entertaining song and dance.

So many of the scenes were memorable – The waiters dance was excellent, ‘If The Rains Got to Fall’… beautiful… Flash Bang Wallop… great fun and the cricket match - delightful. There was so much colour from the delightful costumes, each scene  was  so enjoyable.

Putting the orchestra above, but on the stage, was a stroke of genius, the cast had a large stage on which to perform but the music remained an integral part of the show…with the clever staging they were visible to the audience. Occasionally overpowering the singers the orchestra still sounded great.

The minimal ‘less is more’ scenery worked well. The shop looked beautiful with its flown flats as did the ballroom with elegant pillars.  I love the small set piece for the Christmas ending – quite beautiful. The cast with one or two stage crew efficiently moved scenery and cleared props. This added to the pace of the show which was very smooth.

There were many standout performances:

Leah Farmer - Ann… a great actor with a beautiful voice which was crystal clear as she portrayed this ‘quiet but determined’ role perfectly. Beautifully sung ‘Long Ago’

Cheryl Stafford – Helen Walsingham… a beautiful lady and a controlled performance. Bound by convention although she loved Artie, she couldn’t change him… very well portrayed.

Mairi Coyle – Mrs Walsingham… a woman you loved to hate, rude, snobby and quite ill-mannered but still great fun to play, well done.

Chitterlow – Kevin Wheeler… perhaps occasionally too loud and OTT, but still great fun and quite audacious.

The shop girls and boys – all excellent, all lovely characters with great singing voices. Very well done

All the smaller principals and cameos were equally well cast and performed.

I haven’t forgotten the performer the show was all about…Kipps -  Cameron Isherwood should be very well pleased with his performance in his first leading  role in a musical. Perfect casting. He can dance, he can act, has a great cockney accent, make you laugh with a good sense if timing, perform a dead feint from a standing position and oh boy can he sing! His solo ‘What Should I Feel’ with the long sustained note at the end was quite a show stopper, very well done Cameron, born to play ‘cheeky chappie’ Kipps’.

This rather dated show demands a talented cast and a production team with vision…It only stands the test of time because the subject matter was made compelling and fun when  given the ‘Weston Super Mare’ treatment.  

This isn’t a sting in the tail, I imagine the latest version number three, still in the West End, is still pulling in the crowds because it has been updated once again. But with this version, number two, Weston OS you all worked your socks off to give the audience a great evening’s entertainment and you certainly succeeded.

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