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Me and My Girl

Author: Keith Smithers

Information

Date
20th April 2023
Society
Littlehampton Players Operatic Society
Venue
The Windmill Theatre, Littlehampton
Type of Production
Musical
Director
Emily Dadson
Musical Director
Graham Carton
Choreographer
Kate Bennett
Music
Noel Gay
Written By
L. Arthur Rose & Douglas Furber

“Me and My Girl” is a show that was written in 1937. One might think that nearly ninety years on, this may have no relevance to modern day life especially with the opening of so many shows reflecting today’s society. It is in fact a really happy event with lots of laughs and plenty of well known songs that are still well loved now. The title song, “Me and My Girl”, “ The Lambeth Walk”, “The Sun has got his Hat on” and “Leaning on a lamppost” are probably the top four but there was some wonderful ensemble numbers sung so well such as “An English Gentleman” and “A Weekend at Hareford”. One very funny and well harmonised song was “The Family Solicitor” led by Herbert Parchester (Sam Shanks).

Bill Snibson (Simon Jones) was the cockney heir to the Hareford Estate. He was on stage for most of the evening and gave a polished performance of trying to maintain his happy persona whilst dealing with some upper-class people who thought that he really should ditch his girlfriend Sally Smith (Carly Hilts) for a more fitting wife. Sally was in excellent voice and as his partner sang two songs and two duets with her Bill who provided us with more songs and plenty of laughter throughout.

In Hareford Hall we met two couples - the Duchess Maria (Patricia Thompsett) and her companion of over thirty years, Sir John Tremayne (Stuart Box) and the Hon. Gerald Bolingbroke (David Upcraft) with fiancée Lady Jacqueline Carston (Rebecca Newall). These pairs worked together so well and whereas the first ones were older and wiser - shall we say? - and appreciated the other’s views the younger pair were impulsive and less thoughtful. All very well enacted. The duet “You would if you could” by Lady Jacqueline Carston and Bill was a delightful and comic duet. Charles (Richard Cooper), the chief manservant played the difficult but well controlled role of keeping the peace between his master and those who were opposed to his cavalier attitude to his position and wealth.    

A good number of digitaries, staff and guests parts were covered by a good sized ensemble who complemented the above cast and gave a joyous sound in the chorus numbers. The musical accompaniment for the evening conducted by Graham Corton was by four musicians - strings, piano, bass guitar and percussion. I was most impressed with the sounds from the percussionist who had not only drums and cymbals but also whistles, bird sounds, bells and what was probably a xylophone or glockenspiel. It really gave another dimension to the overall sound. The choreography was executed well in the chorus numbers and the “Song of Hareford” was also very entertaining. The Hareford Hall set was impressive and the Lambeth scene was simple but effective.

All in all this was a thoroughly entertaining evening with many good songs, plenty of laughter and happiness. Thank you and congratulations to all involved.   

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