Half a Sixpence

Half a sixpence is a show with bright and jolly songs, comedy moments, and sombre morale all of which were performed by this cast in an enjoyable show..

The show was performed on a small stage with limited space therefore for this full cast of 38, who performed with such character and energy and with movements choreographed accordingly that gave a great show that was seen and fully enjoyed by the full audience.
The show was accompanied by a nine piece orchestra that gave lovely balanced music for the cast to work with.

The opening was nicely done, and first number was a busy, bright and pleasant scene with good singing and costumes colourful and suitable to the period
The part of Kipps was played by Corey Clarke who had a lovely voice, deft dancing, great character, and lively animated expressions. A pleasure to watch all through and a performance beyond his young age, especially in the solo  “What should I feel” very well done, full of emotion, a powerful number.  
The four shop boys had good harmony and humour throughout with lovely voices and character completed by Sid played by Michael Taphouse had character full of revolutionary with good diction and accent; Aaron Hastings as Buggins was the comedy doom and gloom character and Pearce (John George Hudson) was the hapless youngster with a nice voice. The supporting three girls were pleasant voices and good characters, from Alex Cox, Sarah Booth, and Amy Westwick Holden.  Ann was played by young Chloe Lawton with lovely character, feistiness, and dancing. Martyn Banks as Henry Chitterlow was the eccentric actor full of energy and chaos well done. Bernadette Trotter as Mrs Walsingham was the elegant and foreboding lady with a beautiful voice and Ashlee Bentham as Helen had lovely voice and grace. The chorus members always in tune and added characters, always completed their movements with care and children added the cute factor. The show flowed and some lovely direction particularly in the cricket scene.             

The setting was of a fixed shop set and projected pictures used as the backdrop for other scenes added in by smooth scene changes. Lighting added colours and areas assisted with hazer but that often puffed visibly onto stage, and sound often struggled to give balance across the cast but diction and projection of voices were good from all cast members throughout the show.

A cast that was well rehearsed and visibly enjoying their performance meant a good show was enjoyed by all.  Well done MTG.

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