Me and My Girl

I have come to expect a high standard from any TWODS production, and this was to be no exception. This rags to riches story was perfectly cast, amazingly choreographed by Elizabeth Witt and superbly costumed. Lighting and sound worked well and the scenery from Scenic Projects Ltd was good for this large stage and slickly manoeuvred. The orchestra led by MD Ben Knowles enhanced the fantastic vocals of both principals and ensemble in the songs that I am sure were well known to the audience.

The cast was led by the incorrigibly energetic Bill, played superbly by Mike Knell. He wasn't still for a moment. He chatted, joked, sang, jumped, danced, rolled on the floor, slipped and slid over the Chesterfield settee, grappled with a tiger rug, took the mickey out of the posh relatives, used his hat and anything else he could get his hands on as props and objects of fun. The girl he loved - his Sally - was beautifully played by Brooke Wells, elegant with a good singing voice, a talented actress she played the straight girl to the roguish Bill to perfection. Out to separate Bill and Sally is the impossibly selfish and shallow Lady Jacqueline, played with great relish by Cheryl Storer. I adored the snobbish Duchess, Lynn White, a great part, beautifully played. Her long-time admirer Lord John, Kevin Randall, was blusteringly good as was the Hon. Gerald, Andrew Swann, who played a gloriously upper-class twit. Bob Murray was very enjoyable as  Parchester, the family solicitor and Elliott Emanuel was a nicely understated and deadpan butler. Colin Moore played a good doddering (not type cast, I’m sure!) Sir Jasper Tring. 

Together with all other supporting roles a highly disciplined ensemble, Director David Fawcett made this into a quality production, as appreciated by the well-deserved  standing ovation by the audience.

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