Half a Sixpence

This was my first trip to see Southampton Operatic Society and I enjoyed it very much. This musical is based on the novel Kipps by H G Wells. Director Tina Adams has a great cast for this show, with Musical Direction by Nigel Finch and Choreography by Gillian Parry, Tina Adams and Sarah Hogger. This was also the first time the Society has used the Berry Theatre and this show worked well here.

The story starts with Arthur or ‘Artie’ (Joseph Wright) telling the tale of how he and his then childhood sweetheart Ann, each holding half a sixpence to remember each other by as she leaves the orphanage where they live. This was staged nicely with the children playing the parts. Joseph is very convincing in his role.

The story then moves on to see Artie now working for Mr Shalford (Mark Allen) in a shop along with his colleagues Sid (Daniel Farrell), Buggins (Paul Dawson-Plincke),  Pearce (Matthew Pike) and the girls, Kate (Abi Jeffery), Victoria (Katy Lewis) and Flo (Sophie Barnard). They all work very well together, and then Ann (Rachel Stanikk) comes back into his life. There are some great moments between them both which are nice to watch.

Artie comes into money and things start to go wrong for him. He invested in a play and I really liked Mike Pavitt as Chitterlow, his actor/writer friend, as he commanded the stage. Helen (Natasha Lingwood) catches his eye and they get engaged. Her mother, Lisa Axworthy as Mrs Walsingham, Neil Maddock as her brother, Walsingham, are all good in their parts, turning his life upside down.

It all ends up happily ever after with Artie & Ann getting married, with the great Flash Bang Wallop song. Lots of well known tunes, very good costumes, and a good cast made for a very enjoyable production. Well done everyone involved.
 

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