Oklahoma!

Choreographer: Kay McNab

This Rodgers and Hammerstein show is about country people; and it was performed by country people - for country people! The new producers obviously had taken note of the restricted space available on the Town Hall stage and were aware of the limitations of the society’s talents. So, to that end, there were some subtle production changes to ensure the smooth running of the show. This glorious R&H score is full of great songs and the company gave us an assured “Oklahoma!” and “Farmer and Cowmen” in great rousing style. The two female leads were in fine form and Heather Tweddle sang and acted all that was required of her; and Claire Mallinson was in brilliant style as the coquettish Ado Annie playing her with verve and vivacity. From his very first entrance Graham Thomson set out his character and with his great stage personality made him a truly likeable Curly. Gerard Cameron was the suitable “dim” Will Parker, and Alan Calder-McNicol made a dour Jud. Ron Kirkpatrick was his usual splendid self as Ali Hakim in a role that was totally suited for him and, trying to keep the peace between the feuding farmers and cowmen and, making the role all her own, was Marjorie Twivey as the worldly-wise Aunt Eller.

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