Kipps

This show is the updated, partly rewritten, favourite if the 1960’s ‘Half a Sixpence’.

Keeping a lot of the old favourite songs and characters but with some new music and the script written by Julian Fellowes (of Downton Abbey fame).  It premiered at the Chichester Festival in 2016, transferring to the West End where, being such a success, its initial run was extended three times. And, following in its new tradition, what a ‘Flash, Bang, Wallop’ of a show and performance this was for its Northern Premier.

Act I was rather long but interesting and enjoyable in building up the story of Arthur Kipps, a simple, hard working shop assistant in a drapery emporium in Folkestone, happily falling in love with the young Ann Pornick, who turns out to be a Lady’s Maid, and each treasuring their own half a sixpence which goes together to make one.  Arthur unexpectedly comes into a fortune and attracts the attention of an upper class family with a lovely daughter who makes a big impression on Arthur. Shortly everything goes wrong and the fortune is lost, Arthur goes back to his first love and everything ends happily.  

Arthur was brilliantly played by Nathan Hall who had the young, ‘Cheeky chappie’ attitude, a  good singing voice and brilliant movement and dancing.  He was almost made for this part without imitating, in any way, its originator, Tommy Steele.  His young love, ‘Ann’, simply played by Katie-Mae Ramsey matched him perfectly.  There were other very strong and well played characters ‘Chitterlow’ (Phil Jowett), ‘Helen Walsingham’ (Sophie Holdsworth) Arthur’s upper class young lady,  ‘Mrs Walsingham’ her mother, very expertly played by Cathryn Riley who held herself, spoke, moved and held the stage as an uppercrust Lady would.  Costumes, hair and make-up all adding to her perfection.  A very good part, very well played.  Arthur’s friends from work, Buggins, Sid and Pierce, (Richard Armstrong, Sam Higgins and James Wilczynski), Flo the pert shopgirl (Jayne Whitehead), all adding to the melee of characters woven into this very simple story.  Almost everyone in the Chorus had a small, named part, which were all played with the utmost professionalism but mention must be made of the Photographer, (Neil Hellewell) for the ‘Flash, Bang, Wallop’ number which finishes the show.

He had the audience in fits of laughter with his rather camp antics, (very reminiscent of Barry Humphreys in Are You Being Served).  The show therefore concluded not only with a happy ending but with superb singing, dancing and a very good laugh.

The Costumes, hair and make-up were all excellent.  The sound was perfectly balanced throughout the evening .  Lighting was so effective and efficient as to be un-noticeable, scenery and the changes were again so efficient as to hardly be noticeable.  The orchestra played well and at all times were at one with the stage.  I certainly didn’t notice anything untoward throughout the evening.

The curtain finally came down with everyone on stage playing a banjo at the wedding of Ann and Arthur, so many congratulations to the props team.

The audience had sore hands in appreciation of a really enjoyable show.

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