Our House

I was full of inquisitive intrigue as I watched the Border Premier of Our House. Although I was familiar with quite a few of the Madness hits, I had no idea what to expect from a story line written around the music. I was pleased that I’d read the synopsis as the show moved along at such a pace. With so many characters and a ‘sliding doors’ type twist in the story, there were scenes of darkness, with black representing bad and others of light, with white representing good with bright colours added for good measure, 

After a convoluted start to rehearsal schedule, including one change in Producer and two changes in Choreographer, the company made a massive effort from January to get the show pulled together and presented to enthusiastic audiences.

The huge dance and movement numbers produced highlights in the show that were of great credit to the professionalism of the new choreographers in a dual role. The well known ‘Our House’, ’Baggy Trousers’, ‘Embarrassment’ and ‘Wings of a Dove’ were four of these fabulous numbers.

Great use of lighting, slick scene changes, use of props (such as brollies), body doubles for Joe, all contributed to the overall success of this production. 

Although programme credits weren’t evident for the 1971 Labi Siffre hit ‘It Must Be Love’, famously covered by Madness in 1981, it was really well appreciated in this musical from the first overture  number and then woven through the love story of the young couple who sung it brilliantly in Act 2.

Playing the massive role of Good Joe and Bad Joe was the hugely talented young man, Alexander Edwards, who was hardly off the stage throughout, having over 30 astoundingly quick changes. A very competent performer in singing, dancing and drama he absolutely embraced his first major role with confidence and expressive ease, taking every one of the cast with him in every scene. 

His love interest Sarah was perfectly cast in Sophie Hyslop, having emerged from the local pantomime scene to play her first big role this year with HAOS, after a success last year in Sunshine on Leith. A fine young actress with growing vocal strength, she perfectly matched young Joe and shone from start to finish. Her solo and duet with Joe’s Dad, N.W.5 was very well received.

The role of Joe’s deceased Dad was wonderfully portrayed  by Iain Scott. dipping in and out of the good/bad scenes which pointed out the decisions Joe might make compared to his own bad experience and was highlighted in his number ’Simple Equation’. 

Joe’s adoring, widowed Mum Kathy was superbly portrayed by Louise Szoneberg. After her massive success as Jean in Sunshine on Leith last year it was hard to see how she might top that role, but certainly, she like-wise made the role her own. With a well honed Irish accent, experienced acting and lovely singing she embraced every element of the likeable Casey Street resident.  

Comic duo, Joe’s best mates, were excellently cast in another two new performers, Andrew McGillivary as Emmo and Lyle Murray as Lewis. Both lads totally embraced their roles and supported Joe in many scenes, trios and chorus numbers, happily playing drunk in ‘My Girl’.

The other two comic female characters were, loud and in your face  Angie, Ashley Wolf and Billie, Suzanne Neilson. Delivering many hilarious one liners, the pair proved to be the ideal duo to carry out every scripted detail of this colourful and cheeky double act.  

The persuasive crook, Reecey, practiced his beguiling charm through Joe’s good and bad experiences. Charlie Marshall owned the role, playing Reecey with ease and charisma and in a powerful vocal performance led the kids in the memorable aforementioned ‘Baggie Trousers’.

The canny guise of Mr Pressman, the redeveloper of Casey Street, was sleazily inhabited by Steve Law, who in real life is a gentle guy in the nursing profession. 

This really was a welcome experience to the ‘House of Fun’ where good Joe could honestly say ‘It Must Be Love’ and I’ve got ‘My Girl’. Congratulation to everyone.  

© NODA CIO.  All rights reserved 

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.