Oklahoma

~~Unfortunately at the start of this production the audience were informed that due to a throat infection Barbara Hayward would not be able to sing the part of Laurey and this would be song by Susan Bushby.  If we had not been told we would have never had known.  Barbara carried on in the role and gave a great performance.  Both she and Barry Styles as Curly were a perfect match.   With great support from Andy Hooper as Will Parker and Beth Willis as Ado Annie this company gave a first class performance.  Lynne Ridge gave some good humour as the peddler Ali Hackim.  I also enjoyed the performances of Lia Cadman as Gertie Cummings and George Fletcher as Andrew Carnes.  When the company performed the song ‘Oklahoma’ the audience were signing along. 

In the performance I saw, one person was outstanding and that was Susan Bushby as Aunt Eller. This surely was a role made for her. Not only giving an outstanding performance in her own role but also singing the part of Laurey off stage. 

The set was very effective and the orchestra under the direction of Ian Hayward sounded really good.  The choreography suited the company.  Nick Hardy should be rightly proud of his production and rightly so.

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