Oklahoma!

What a wonderfully fresh and bright production of an old favourite this was.  I was impressed right from the overture with the excellent pace at which the MD took the musical numbers.  This in turn led to pacey dialogue in what is, uncut, a fairly long show and the first night audience really enjoyed a super performance from an enthusiastic cast, back stage team and a very good orchestra.

Connor Canvess was extremely likeable as Curly McLain.  He has a very relaxed style of singing and, after a nervy opening, really settled in to his role.  His affection for Laurey Williams, beautifully performed by Tilly Jackson, was obvious and when they were together they made me very happy as well!  The setting of their ‘People Will Say We’re In Love’ was super and, as with other songs in the show such as ‘All Er Nuthin’, was given a new lease of life in it’s portrayal.  Tilly has a lovely voice and also moves in a very accomplished way, as shown in the ballet.  Smashing!

Another couple of fine performances were given by Georgia Mason as a hilarious Ado Annie and Nathan Mundey as Will Parker.  Like Conner and Tilly they were the right ages for the parts with modern portrayals were that very enjoyable, all showing the right amount of naivety that youth has.

Dave Blaker gave a big performance as Jud Fry, as always very challenging.  His ‘Pore Jud Is Daid’ with Curly was excellent with the confident young buck winding him up well.  The society always uses raised areas front stage right and left and here Jud’s cabin was on one of them.  This worked well in the duet but I felt it restricted Dave physically when he sang ‘Lonely Room’.

Helen Dent was a powerful Aunt Eller, totally controlling the community, and she showed some nice quieter moments when necessary.  Chris Taylor, who also directed the show, was an enjoyable Ali Hakim and well suited to the role and we also had a splendid laugh from Casey Canvess as Gertie Cummings.

All the smaller parts were nicely played and we could hear everything.  The singing was excellent and I really enjoyed the choreography.  I thought the set was magnificent and well utilised, the costumes were good, the lighting effective and I especially liked the bird song sound effects which added to the Oklahoma sunshine.

Oh, What a Beautiful Evenin’!

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