Happy Days

As usual, due to the significant number of talented students at this school, the Principals were double cast.  I attended two performances to make sure that I had seen everyone do their ‘thing’.  As a consequence, this review is longer than usual but everyone worked so hard and performed so well I wanted to make sure I included all the main Principals.

Firstly, though, I must comment on the extremely high levels of energy displayed by the entire cast.  As far as I am concerned they could have all sung off key (they didn’t!) and I would still have been embraced by the waves of enthusiasm given out by this young and highly talented cast.  It is a credit to the teaching staff that they engender such enthusiasm and energy from the students.  The singing was particularly strong with not a weak voice amongst the Principals and plenty of harmonisation when required.

Happy Days was an iconic Television show and it has some very recognisable characters which the older members of the audience expected to see.  Firstly, the Fonz, played in this production by Jake Bailey and Luke Reid.  Two excellent interpretations of the character, slightly different but both very enjoyable to watch.  Both actors captured the braggadocio nature of the Fonz but both also displayed his vulnerability that made the character so loved.

Pinky, played by Sophie Carrick and Elloise Bennett, is a great character for a young woman to portray.  Sassy, successful, confident, strong minded and independent, both girls gave terrific performances in the role.  The character has some great lines and both girls delivered them with confidence and to great effect.

The character of Richie is a tricky one, he is basically the storyteller of the show; Abdullah Khalif and Ben Neagan produced two very different characterisations.  Both are good performers although I got a stronger feeling of the sincerity of the character from Ben.  Oliver Corkett got to play Arnold, the diner owner, in all performances and his was another strong performance.

The part of Chachi was also split between Reece Emery and Jack Cottam, both good performances although I think that Jack stole the audience’s hearts!  The two other college mates were played by Alex Cohen (Ralph) who took every opportunity to exploit the dumb nature of the character, with great effect; and Ellis Smith (Potsie) who proved a perfect foil for the other characters in the Dial Tones.

Nida Savage and Emily Sylvester played the part of the mum Marion.  Two excellent performances both capturing the essence of the homebound mum who yearns for more than her humdrum existence cooking and cleaning for her family.  William Lester and Charlie Guiver shared the role of Howard, the dad.  Two great characterisations, each with some individuality that rounded the character well.

Joanie (Richie’s sister) was beautifully played by Gabrielle Klein and Mia Doney and Olivia Bennet and Leah Floyd played Lori-Beth (Richies’s girlfriend).  I must mention Dane Brown and Kimm Howes who played the Malachi brothers, Jumpy and Count respectively.  Great slapstick comedy!

Then there were the Leopards, Rowan Brown, Andrew Stavrinou, Oliver Allison, Joshua Heron, Tom Hutchins and Ben Shaw.  Definitely some stars of the future in that group! And finally, the Pinkettes, Megan Wheaton, Chloe Isaac, Maisie Chivers, Courtney Emery, Lauren Ball and Edie Jarvis.  Good characters from all of them.

The ensemble, including the very strong team of dancers, main Singers and chorus were all very good indeed.  Shoebury has a reputation for excellence in their performances and the current cast are maintaining and even improving on that reputation.

The creative team have produced another excellent production, with beautiful costumes and   simple but very effective set dressing and props.  I have commented before on the slick way the scenes are changed in this school’s productions and the back-stage crew continue to amaze me with the excellent way they change the sets.  It is almost choreographed and clearly everyone has a complete understanding of the importance of moving the trucks quickly and efficiently.   The cast were well drilled and clearly understood the importance of allowing the scenery to be set before the enter the stage.  And that doesn’t always happen in adult productions!

The small band performed brilliantly, supporting the singers and rocking through the numbers.  Some of which were quite tricky to sing so well done to all the cast.

Another extremely successful production from Shoeburyness High School, I thoroughly enjoyed both performances.

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