Oklahoma!

The musicals of Rodgers & Hammerstein take a bit of beating, particularly Oklahoma  with it’s  well known and memorable melodies.

Aunt Eller (Debbie Beveridge) set the scene relaxing in front of Laurey’s farm as Curly (Andrew Taylor) made his entrance totally at ease and with a twinkle in his eye getting the show off to a very good start with a most enjoyable ‘Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’. These two characters had a great rapport. Aunt Eller constantly keeping everybody under control in no uncertain terms and Curly coping well with the mood changes of his would be sweetheart Laurey. Sarah MacKinlay (Laurey) gave a most animated performance displaying a natural innocence in dealing with her abhorrence of Jud Fry while trying to conceal her true feelings for Curly. The two made a charming couple looking good together and blending well vocally. ’People Will Say We’re in Love’ was a real treat.

Ado Annie, the girl ‘Who Cain’t Say No’ was played by the vivacious Katie Bell who certainly ran rings around Will Parker and Ali Hakim. Martijn van Waveren  was a sprightly Will Parker ably singing and dancing his way through ‘Kansas City’ joined by a lively, light footed chorus. Martin Hay extracted the comedy from his role as Ali Hakim with his quick delivery and expressive face particularly when expressing his disgust at being landed with Gertie Cummins well played by Mariel Main with her infectious and annoying laugh.

As well as lively, rousing musical numbers and a “feel good” factor to the story there is also a darker side. Jud Fry, the lonely, sullen farm hand was well depicted by Willie French who looked extremely menacing and whose powerful bass voice was well suited to ‘Lonely Room’ one of the most difficult numbers in the show. Perhaps a little more could have been made of the fight scene where Jud eventually meets his end.

There was a real sense of enjoyment on stage which carried the audience along. Supporting characters and the entire chorus interacted well and made a great sound. Big production numbers ‘The Farmer and the Cowman’ and ‘Oklahoma’ were brimming with energy and everybody on stage smiled and looked as if they were having fun.

A fairly simple set used to effect on this small stage  was well lit particularly in the Dream Sequence which was neatly done with the cast moving in slow motion and lighting creating the atmosphere. A well directed orchestra supported the company never over playing or drowning out  the singing. Once again this was a thoroughly enjoyable production which was certainly more than ‘O’K’.

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