Oklahoma!

I enjoy pretty much anything from the Rodgers and Hammerstein catalogue and Oklahoma! is one of the best.  Full of lovely melodies this production from an enthusiastic society certainly did it justice by using all it’s experience in casting and providing entertainment at a high standard.

Taking nothing away from anyone else the star performance of the night came from Tim Drage as Jud Fry.  His characterisation was completely different from any I have seen previously giving us a person with apparent learning difficulties almost sad but still troubled.  This was an exciting portrayal and you could sense Jud’s frustrations in life and his communication with others.  Tim’s big voice was ideally suited to his duet with Curly, ‘Pore Jud Is Dead' and his solo, ‘Lonely Room’.  Super!

Russell Fallon and Roselyn Shallcross reprised the roles I had seen them play before and they formed a good partnership as Curly and Laurey, seemingly very comfortable when working together.  Russell’s style is quite laid back and it worked well here, the audience quickly warming to him.  ‘People Will Say We’re In Love” was a lovely duet and ‘The Surrey With The Fringe On Top’ and ‘Out Of My Dreams’ were well received.

Andy Collinson gave a strong performance as Ali Hakim and I enjoyed David Cameron (Will Parker) and Ellen Maud (Ado Annie), ‘I Cain't Say No!’ and ‘All Er Nothin’ ‘ being excellent.  And you couldn’t help but hear a really enjoyable Gertie Cummings (Hannah Fallon). Hazel Woodhouse played a likeable Aunt Eller as did Ian Thompson as Andrew Carnes.

I must make mention of a small men’s “chorus” who also took some smaller roles.  Connor Wilson, Oliver Power, Alex Joy, Jak Waller and Jake Baines all worked extremely hard throughout the show and showed super presence on stage.

The dance routines were enjoyable – the society had a good group of “movers” – especially in ‘The Farmer and The Cowman’ and I also enjoyed the ballet as it made sense.  Some of the dialogue, particularly in the first half, dragged a bit but it picked up after the interval.

Costumes and lighting were just right but there were again a few problems with the mikes on the night we attended.  Musical accompaniment was two keyboards and drums and this worked well.

I think it’s great that societies such at HATS still to present traditional musicals alongside more modern offerings.  Long may it continue.

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