Mack and Mabel

Despite a lush and lovely score by Jerry Herman (Hello Dolly, Mame), packed full of romantic and sentimental ballads, big production numbers and toe-tapping routines, Mack and Mabel is not frequently staged. Which is a pity – it has so much to offer, except a happy ending.
Heart rending numbers of sentiment and pathos (I Won’t Send Roses, Time Heals Everything), production numbers full of fun and movement (Hundreds of Girls, Make the World Laugh) mingle in a dazzling score that will keep you singing for days.
Heavily dependent on the strength and ability of the principal players in the roles of Mark and Mabel, the society were fortunate in their casting of Ian Scott, who brought gravitas and charismatic character to the role of the great film maker and Llinos Lee, an all round delight as Mabel Norman, and both with the ability to touch hearts as the tragedy of their love affair unfolded.
To lighten the spirits Debbie Apollonio, playing Lottie Ames, led the girls in an impressive routine to ‘Tap Your Troubles Away’. Supporting roles were colourfully and securely covered and the company acquitted themselves with distinction with the demands of this sharp, pacey and highly choreographed production by Vic Atkins
A difficult show to stage; the set designed by Vic Atkins, and constructed by Henry Messenger, was effective in its simplicity and together with good visuals (Fiona Porter-Smith) and lighting by Stagecraft, enabled a smooth running, good looking production, well dressed with good sense of period and location by Marigold and the society.
A light, controlled and balanced band, under musical director Ben Davies, found the sound and feel of the period to pleasantly back the show without being intrusive. Congatulations PODS, another success.

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