Oklahoma!

Oklahoma, is a great favorite with audiences. With music by Richard Rodgers, book andlyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, it is based on the play "Green Grow the Lilacs" by Lynn Riggs. The set and lighting effects are very good, I liked the sun to moon lighting patterns above the stage; the house & garden area turns to make Jud's shed, and there is a fenced area in the middle. All worked very well. The costumes are good and are of the time.

Director James Westbrook has a great cast for this show, everyone works really well together, the pace is good and the story moves along nicely. The singing and music make a good sound under Amy Wardle's direction. The dancing is good with everyone taking part, I enjoyed the Dream ballet, I also liked Farmer & The Cowmen-  a great number to open Act 2.

Jamie Ireland takes the lead as Curly, he brings great character and a good voice to the role, he has some great lines especially as he likes Laurey but is unsure if she feels the same. Amy Jordan plays Laurey, she too has a nice voice, she has taken a shine to Curly, but likes playing hard to get, it's a great part, showing her softer side, but a real change of character when Jud scares her. They both work very well together. Nichola Paterson plays Aunt Eller, a real feel good character, she has some great lines, she keeps everything in order with the farm & especially in the auction, with Curly and Jud. George Laidlaw takes the role of the hired farm hand, Jud Fry, he brings a real depth to this character, he has an infatuation with Laurey, he takes her to the box Social, (she goes with Jud to make Curly jealous). You can tell Jud wants to be with Laurey and hates Curly. You can see his torment with his facial expressions and his mannerisms, banging himself on the head in frustration. His 'Lonely Room' song is full of feeling, Jud is always played as the villain of the piece, but George just has that something else, great. The comedy in the play comes from Genie Isaacs as Ado Annie Carnes, David Tatnall as Ali Hakim the peddler man, and Duncan White as Will Parker her intended. They each have some great songs, I really liked Duncan's Kansas City number complete with dancing, lots of comedy moments, with Will wanting to marry Ado, and Ali trying to get out of it. They all work really well together. Mike Pavitt is good as Andrew Carnes, he too has some funny moments especially with Will & Ali, he just wants $50 for Annie's hand in marriage and doesn't care which one it will be. Mark Allen plays Ike Skidmore & Jessica Manns plays Gertie Cummings. The whole ensemble sound great and are having a great time this really comes over to the audience. Well done to everyone. 

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