Jack The Ripper

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Not the most entertaining subject matter but this show is written to echo the Music Halls of the era and does, therefore, give the director some scope to lighten it up.    Steve Drinkall, in his directorial debut for the Players did exactly that.  It was a fast moving romp through a rather unsavoury period in East London’s history.  

The stage did seem rather crowded on occasions and I think that, sometimes, fewer people on stage works better, even in the chorus numbers.  In fact, the stage was so crowded some of the cast were in front of the proscenium and out of lighting.     I appreciate that it is a very small stage but I am sure that the cast would prefer to have room to move and be lit!

Lisa Rawlings played the lead role of Marie well and she was ably supported by Simon Haskell, playing the music Hall Chairman and bringing the threads of the story together.  Sam Haskell was excellent as Druitt.  Well done to the three young men who played Dan (James Hughes) Dinky (a very tall Chris Joyner!) and Slop (Matthew Pearson).  Great team work and good comic timing.  There were lots of lovely characterisations in this play, I am, unfortunately, unable to mention everyone but I did enjoy the performances.

My only real criticism is with the condition of the costumes.  They were beautiful but this was supposed to be the poorest part of east London and they ‘ladies of the night’ were much too well dressed!   It was a shame because they were all lovely dresses.  I appreciate that the company do not want to ruin a set of really nice period costumes but these ‘ladies’ should have been dressed in layers of rags, tightly laced bustiers, lots of petticoats and everything very dirty.

The rest of the costumes were more appropriate to the place and the period and my compliments to Sam Haskell, he is the first young man I have seen who actually knew how to put on and wear a top hat properly!

The scenery was minimal, as it has to be in this theatre, but it was effective and worked well.  I particularly liked the ‘lit up’ music hall stage effect.

The musicians, under the direction of MD Shirley Parrott were perfect for this small venue and very appropriate to the Music Hall effect of the play.

Overall I enjoyed the performances, well done to Blackmore Players.

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