ORDINARY DAYS

ORDINARY DAYS a ‘sung through musical’ (no dialogue) staged by CADOS (Chorley Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society) at Chorley Theatre, Dole Lane, Chorley on Wednesday, 8th July 2021.

My first visit to a musical in over eighteen months; a live audience; a musical that I had never even heard of let alone seen… I really could not wait!

‘Ordinary Days’ with music and lyrics by Adam Gwon; was premiered in New York in 2009. This musical follows the lives of four ordinary young people living in New York and tell us about their hopes, their dreams and about ‘growing up whilst enjoying the view!'

The storytelling woven through this show, through complex lyrics, through the first four songs, ‘One by One by One’, ‘Don’t Wanna Be Here’, ‘The Space Between’ and ‘Let Things Go’ provides us with an insight into the lives of these four young people and is to be applauded!  

There are two storylines running through this musical…

The first tells of an unlikely friendship that develops between Warren and Deb.  Warren is a young artist who really is not sure where life should be taking him.  He passes his days ‘cat sitting’ for a jailed artist whilst distributing multi coloured flyers with inspirational quotes that no one reads, that is until Deb picks one up!  Deb is a stressed out, uptight, ambitious Grad Student who is having her own problems and a major meltdown after losing her thesis notebook in Central Park, which Warren finds and returns to her.

The second centres on a dysfunctional boyfriend/girlfriend combination - Claire and Jason. Claire and Jason are currently facing major challenges and change to their lives after they decide to move in together whilst trying to downsize at same time. Unbeknown to Jason, Claire has a deep routed secret that haunts her and which is coming between them!  It is only when she reveals her long-kept secret that their relationship gets a chance to heal.

The Cast… 
Ben Middleton took on the role of Warren really well.  Ben opened the show with real confidence and great stage presence. Ben looked totally comfortable throughout, good vocals and great characterisation. Caitlin Keller was perfect for the role of Deb. Again, confident with great stage presence. Caitlin created a wonderfully realistic character which she supported with strong precise vocals. Ben and Caitlin had wonderful chemistry, they were witty, endearing, emotional and were able to bring life and meaning to this unlikely friendship!  Be ever so proud, you two.

 

Lewis Hampson took on the role of Jason.  Lewis looked totally comfortable throughout. Great stage presence, confident, good vocals and never out of character. Lewis made this part very much his own. Lucy Whigham completed our cast of four by taking on the role of Claire. Lucy captured her character perfectly. Again, confident, with great stage presence, she brought this character to life enhanced by some amazing vocals. Lewis and Lucy complimented each other ever so well and were able to create some wonderfully emotional moments together. Again, be ever so proud guys!

 

There is little doubt that this was a real team effort!  From first note to last it was obvious that our four cast members were having the time of their lives being back on stage in front of a live audience and they reaped their rewards from a vocal audience. It therefore becomes difficult to start highlighting individuals without doing injustice to the others.  But, never one to shirk responsibility or give an opinion - the following are MY three favourite moments from the show and I’m sure if you asked anyone else present, they would probably come up with others of which there were many…
but these are MINE…

- Loved this… ‘Saturday at the Met’ … both couples come together at The Met Art Gallery for totally different reasons. Claire and Jason are just visiting whilst Warren and Deb’s have arranged to meet to handover Deb’s lost thesis notebook.  Great song, great coming together of voices, showcased all four. Many congrats!

 

- Wow… ‘I’ll be Home’ sung by Claire was up there!   Claire’s deep routed secret is revealed!  She introduces us to John, her late husband; his last words; his sweater and his approval that its ‘OK for her to move on’…. great lyrics, great vocals, great story telling, so emotional (lump in throat time) Well done, Lucy!

- ‘Showstopper’ for me ‘Rooftop Duet and Falling’… two songs that blend into one!  The ‘Rooftop Duet’ sung by Deb and Warren as they look across New York from the rooftop of his home - amusing, emotional and ‘Yes, Virginia Woolf can be depressing’!  This song then merges with ‘Falling’ which involves all four cast members. Super songs, great lyrics and the falling leaflets just enhanced an already great atmosphere! Just loved it - loved the interpretation, loved the vocals - be ever so proud everyone!

The set was simple, minimalistic but effective supported by projected images of ‘New York’, ‘Starbucks’, ‘The Met’ and many more images which helped enhance the overall production. 

Lighting and Sound were excellent as always here at Chorley Theatre. Costumes and Props were appropriate and in keeping with the period again enhancing the production.

It was obvious, after speaking with members of the production team and having had chance to speak with the cast after the show, that this had not been the easiest of production to get on stage!  ‘Zoom’ rehearsals, ‘socially distanced’ rehearsals, Covid restrictions considered from auditions to final bows! That said I can honestly say that all that effort, dedication, consideration and hard work paid off. Great show, guys!  

So can I say major ‘congratulations’ to Paul Carr/Libby Burke (Co -Director/Producer), to Jay Taylor (Pianist) and Paul Wheatcroft (Assisted Pianist); to Rebecca Dickinson (Stage Manager), Sandra Dickinson (Costumes), everyone involved at CADOS. Cast, Crew, Front of House and the Techy Folk (Ellie Brookfield, Rachel Offord, Michael Taylor, Ian Beebe and Steven Catterall and no doubt many more) for getting this show on stage in front of a live, socially distanced audience - credit where credit due folks!

Thank you so much for inviting me, thank you for arranging my ‘special seat’ and thank you for allowing me to speak with the cast and some of the crew. I really did enjoy myself and I hope to be back soon to see your next production![JB1] 

Stay safe, keep well…

Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

 

 [JB1]

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