Half a Sixpence

I love this show and, despite some misgivings about this version (there are several) I was expecting to enjoy it.  I was not disappointed, BasOp continue to grow and improve their productions and this one was no exception.  It was lively, well-paced, beautifully costumed and well-cast.

The lead role of Arthur Kipps was played by Josh Handley, I have watched Josh over the last few years, mostly in supporting roles and this was his first lead role in a musical.  I was blown away by his performance, he has an on-stage charisma that had me only watching him.  The part suited him admirably, he is an all-round performer who owned the stage whenever he appeared.  Ailish Murphy played Anne well, although I would have liked to see more anger when she had been dumped.  Given that this is her first major role in an adult production, she did very well.

Stuart Crawley played Chitterlow and, although I thought his costumes and wig were superb, I thought he was just a tad too ‘over the top’.  It’s a difficult part to get right, because he has to be flamboyant and ‘showy’ without being too obvious; at a time, in history, when outrageous behaviour was not considered to be the ‘thing’.  Charlotte Cavedasca played Helen Walsingham well, she has a lovely singing voice and her character was well defined.

The shop boys and girls were good, they made a strong team with Sean Hynes, Joe Drury and Chris Foale playing the boys and Jane Gillam, Hollyanne Hill and Lucy Green playing the girls.  Together they produced some excellent scenes and supported Josh throughout.

Angela Phillips played Mrs Walsingham beautifully, a great characterisation, truly a snob!   Rob Morley played shop owner Mr Shalford well and Nick Burdett completed the Principal line-up as Young Walsingham.

The ensemble worked very hard and there were a few lovely characters shown.  If I have to make any comments it was that the stage was just too crowded in a few scenes.  I do understand that the Director has an obligation to give the ensemble as much ‘stage time’ as possible but the ball scene, in particular, would have benefitted from fewer people dancing.  Especially ladies dancing together which was an absolute ‘no-no’ in this period.  Have them all on stage, of course, but, sometimes, it is necessary to just dress the stage and not have everyone moving around.  I felt that the Principals dialogue was getting lost.  Similarly, in the cricket scene, so many people on stage that the action and dialogue was lost in the crowd.

The children were lovely, although I could not identify which children played on the evening I attended I am sure they were all equally as good.

The costumes, as I have already mentioned, were excellent but they should be as they were hired in.  Similarly, with the scenery, although my congratulations to Director Victoria Purton, for well-directed scene changes.  This kept the pace going and meant there were few breaks in the show.  Lighting was appropriate, but mics were not always turned up in time which seems to be a recurring theme with shows!

Overall a well-directed, feel good show with an excellent cast and a terrific leading man.  What more can one ask to ensure an entertaining evening?  Oh yes, being well looked after by the Front of House team, which we were, my thanks to all.

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