Me and my Girl

It was a delight to see this musical comedy back on the Aberdeen stage, brought to us by AOC Productions under first time director Aaron Thom. From the opening “A Weekend at Hareford” we knew it was going to be a feel-good evening with bright costumes, excellent movement and lovely singing from the ensemble. Young Max Paterson as Bill Snibson, the unlikely heir to the Earldom of Hareford, was outstanding with a strong voice and a super sense of comic timing – and not bad at the old tap dancing either! His duets with Sally – “Me and my Girl” and “Hold my Hand” – were delightful with their voices blending well as was his rendition of the reflective “Leaning on a Lamppost”. Morag Nicol as Sally Smith, his Cockney girlfriend, was equally outstanding in her singing, acting and dancing abilities. Her rendition of “Once You Loose Your Heart” was heart rendering. Much of the laughter during the evening came from Callum Bell’s over-the-top portrayal of cousin Gerald Bolingbroke with his “tally-ho” speak and mannerisms and his lead in the act two opening “The Sun Has Got His Hat On” was a hoot. Jennifer Brown as “eye-on-the-prize” Lady Jacqueline Carstone was elegantly played and her duet with Bill “You Would If You Could” was a masterclass in flirtatiousness. Leigh Benzie as Maria, Duchess of Dene (Bill’s aunt) played the autocratic aristocrat as to the manner born and her rendition of “Song of Hareford” with the Ancestors was magnificently operatic. Steven Close as her love-lorn suitor Sir John Tremayne gave excellent support and his drunken duet with Bill in the second act “Love Makes The World Go Round” brought about much laughter from the first night audience. As too did Angus Mackintosh as Parchester the family’s solicitor especially with his dancing in his rendition of “The Family Solicitor”. Strong support was given by Matthew Adam (Lord Battersby), Jackie Robertson (Lady Battersby), Andrew Brebner (Sir Jasper Tring), Gary McClarence (Charles the Butler) and Hilary Esson (Sally’s busybody landlady). The ensemble singing and dancing throughout were of the high standard we have come to expect from this company but especially in the rousing act 1 finale “Lambeth Walk”. The 11 piece orchestra under the baton of MD Craig McDermott played Noel Gay’s music magnificently throughout the evening. The large set was impressive and the changes of scene, especially those from exterior to interior, were handled expertly and speedily by the cast and stage crew. Congratulations to Aaron on his directorial debut and to all at AOC Productions for a superb evening’s entertainment.

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