Oklahoma!

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! is one of my favourites and this production did not disappoint.  Catherine Williams was excellent as the strong-willed but homely Aunt Eller with spot on comic timing and delivery. Derek Brown and Sharon Macleod, as the on-off lovers Curly and Laurey, were well matched and both sang well. Kerry Russell and Andy Hurst were hilarious as the ever flirting Ado Annie and her naïve beau Will Parker and their “All Er Nothin’” duet was a delight. Gerry Revie was very convincing as the surly and threatening Jud Fry and his “Lonely Room” solo was very moving. Jamie Stone as pedlar Ali Hakim had the audience in stitches with his facial expressions from his first run in with Aunt Eller to his final entrance with his bride Gertie Cummings, played by Anne Grant with one of the most irritating laughs I have heard this character played with! Strong supporting performances were given by Iain McKenzie (Andrew Carnes), John Gunn (Ike Skidmore), Alister Sutherland (Cord Elam) and Michael Bremner (a fiddle playing Slim). This company is well known for it’s singing and this shone through from Curly’s opening “Oh, What A Beautiful Morning” to the rousing “Oklahoma” finale from the whole company. Thank you to The Garrick Singers for a delightful evening.

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