Oklahoma!

Cats Youth Theatre present Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic Oklahoma in their now new venue. With the date they usually perform taken, they were given an almighty problem - cancel or have a back-up plan. Well, the-back up plan was to call on help from parents of Cats Youth Theatre and they came running and used funding from a previous grant to help transform their rehearsal space. Wow that takes some you-know-what’s. Setting up dressing rooms and toilets backstage, this once church is transformed into a theatre that looks like it means business. I applaud the amount of work that has gone into this to secure a home for the next generation of talent in the area.

Walking in through the short tunnel of cloth with lights there is a monumental ecclesiastic stone arch framing the stage. The height masked by a red cloth. Taking my place on the raked seating the set had a washing line (hung with white washing) from Stage Right to the porch set Stage Left. The porch was moveable with door window and stool. Stage Left was a rocking chair and butter churner at the side and Stage Right was a work bench with carpet beater on the floor.  Back cloth painted to depict fields and a road going off into the distance. All finished off with the customary white picket fence. The scene for Jud’s bedroom pulls out Stage Right to reveal wood cabin with bed chair and risqué pictures of the time adorning the wall. The feel is dark and imposing - just right.  Other scenes are brought on by the cast for the picnic and the surrey.  Set Design by Louise Cohen, Alan Dodd and Simon White. Set Construction by Simon White, Drew Hogben, Dave Matthew, Alan Dodd and David Bolton. Set Artist Simon White and Drew Hogben. Lighting and Sound appropriate although a few issues with mic levels  which I am sure would be ironed out through the run. Lighting and Sound design and operation Alan Dodd, Louise Cohen and Em Cohen. Follow Spot Wendie Dodd and Janice White.  The Lighting was particularly effective with the help of smoke in the Dream Ballet.

Em Cohen is Choreographer and gives a nod to Angus de Mille who was the original ground-breaking choreographer of the film (yes, with the famous father). With sweeping movements in group dances and the balletic moves of the men and women Em takes us on a romp of a bygone era.

Director and Musical Director is Louise Cohen, staying true to the Oklahoma we know and love – We were taken on a journey of high energy and some lovely moments played out by the young cast. Oh What A Beautiful Mornin was a delight.

The Ensemble was strong and it was noticeable how leads in the last show are happy to be in the Ensemble - a testament to an inclusive society. The Dream Sequence was done in way to add drama, tension and a building to a crescendo - well done to all involved. I realised I was holding my breath at the end. delightful pictures were created through dance.

Harry Fenwick played Andrew Carnes ready to sell his daughter to anyone. Holly Reevell played Gertie Cummings the girl you want to avoid with the annoying laugh. Tom Clancy played Cord Elam who only wants to uphold the law. Iona Budis plays Aunt Eller with her wise words.

Ethan Brown takes on the role of Will Parker who just doesn’t get that he actually needs fifty dollars cash to get the girl. With some great moments and comedy thrown in there you could feel his pain at not being able to pin Ado Annie down. Ethan worked well with Ado Annie Carnes played by Eve Bolton. Lovely subtle eye movements and you could see her thought process about which suitor she should choose. Eve had great comic timing and the audience were with her all the way as she played out her indecisions. Ado Annie’s other suitor was the quick-witted Ali Hakim from Persia played by Harry Cohen. Comic timing and throwaways at its best. His quest not to get married was hilarious - you probably heard me laughing.

Amy Costell as Laurey Williams was a delight and in fine voice, she acts sings and dances - what more can you ask? well done! Amy worked well with both suitors too Jonathan Allen played Curly. Jonathan’s voice is actually off the scale trying not to be condescending here, but for one so young his voice is mature and pure and holds such emotion. His scene goading Jud was intense with just the right tone implied. Last but not least is Ethan Sheppard playing Jud Fry. Some may think oh it’s easy to play bad a bad character but I am not so sure, with it there needs to be dark and shade and Ethan certainly had that, you could almost feel the anger bubbling inside ready to erupt. When Laurey says “there is something not right about him” you instantly see that, you get it and you connect. Stanislavsky would be proud of that performance. Brilliant.

Well all I can say is what teamwork this was, Committee, Cast and Crew you deserve the standing ovation. I know for some this is your last show with CATS Youth Theatre - what a legacy you leave but what memories you take away with you.

Thank you from my guest Beverley and I for the invitation and hospitality.

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