Oklahoma!

Making the most of one of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s best shows this society once again provided good, solid entertainment for its audience.  David Cox as Curly and Helen Nicholls as Laurey were a likeable couple who performed their numbers well and immediately connected with the audience.  The pairing of Jamie Hughes (Will Parker) and Marina Spark in her first major role as Ado Annie were also very enjoyable and they both gave wholehearted performances.

Mike Sheldon played the challenging, sinister, role of Jud Fry very well and his scene in the smokehouse with Curly was well performed.

Pat Hughes was very good as Aunt Eller and Richard Mainprize (Ali Hakim) was great fun, extracting as much comedy as possible from his character.  There was also an enjoyable cameo from Bob Downing as Andrew Carnes.

The mainly permanent set was excellent and any changes, such as for the smokehouse, were smoothly executed.

If I do have a negative comment, it is that diction was not always good.  We know that accents are not easy but good pronunciation is essential if characterisations are to be delivered correctly.

However, as always with Bridlington this was a most enjoyable evening.

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