LUCKY STIFF

What a fun way for St Andrew's to start back on the road, after the inevitable 2+ years away from the stage.

A smaller venue than normal, but rewarded by full houses every performance, this musical comedy farce gave the cast a chance to really get the feel of being on stage again. 

Technically good, with a static set – I liked the use of the cube to signify different parts of the plot.  Lighting lent itself well to the feel of the piece, with mostly good sound.

Costumes suited the era and nothing stood out as inappropriate.

Musically this was very challenging for the cast, but it was refreshing to have just piano accompaniment,  although the arrangement made it seem as if there was a lot more going on!   Very good harmonies from a musically sound cast for very stylised music which everyone accomplished well.

The cast sang well and gave us some great portrayals, it was good to see MD Richard Cowling fulfilling a cameo role as a nightclub singer, such fun.

Harry Witherspoon (Barry Hyde) was the uncomplicated hero, trying to fulfil his uncle's Will to gain $6m, nicely accomplished both acting and singing, and giving us a good relationship with Annabel Glick (Jo Yirrell) also chasing the money for her Dogs Home.  Jo always creates a sympathetic character, and showed the transition from shyness to being in love, plus accomplished musically.  Nicely sung and good portrayals.

Rita La Porta (Sarah Albert) was the ditsy lover of the deceased, a part which suited Sarah's undoubted comic timing and ability down to the ground.  I enjoyed Sarah’s take on the role, including some quite complicated music!

I must give a shout out to Stacey Peck as the deceased, no mean feat to spend the entire show in a wheelchair playing ‘dead'..... well done!

Vincent Di Ruzzio (Ben Jaggers) was great fun as Rita’s brother, who unexpectedly got involved in the mayhem created by his sister with great enthusiasm, along with Luigi Gaudi (Richard Alexander), an effusive animated Italian, who turned out to be the deceased....!   A real twist that kept the mind alert, whilst creating comic moments.  Both men sang their parts well with conviction.

This was very much an ensemble piece, with the cast of Michelle Arnold, Karen Franks, Jo Wells, Jane Poulton and Richard Lovelock fulfilling several parts each, with conviction and clarity.

The actual show was probably quite simplistic, but the way the Director visualised the production and the way the cast tackled the content and difficult music can only be admired, a really fun and enjoyable evening.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.