Salad Days

One of the highlights of the year is always the biannual outdoor performances by Winchester Operatic. This year, no exception. Warmly greeted by Alan and Lorraine Morgan along with the Director Suzanne Hall we were led to our seats (or should I say space, the seats were under my arm) and settled in for an evening of glorious English silliness on a balmy and glorious sunny evening. The basic premise of the show is the effects of a "Magic" piano which makes everybody dance. When written in 1954 is was the antithesis of the larger American Broadway shows.

The set was a simple design with one or two hidden elements to add to the staging; the lighting was two gantries behind the audience which added much to the overall effect (Tony Lawther and Angie Barkes (SM)) of the show and picked up many of the large array of colourful costumes. This was a multi-role production, each cast member playing their part and their enthusiasm really came over into the "Auditorium" (field!). The choreography, which was inventive, had obviously been well rehearsed, a testament to the directorial team of Suzanne Hall and Molly Moffit-McGrath who had worked the cast well especially in "Oh Look at me I'm Dancing" which was highly entertaining. The show ran at a really good pace, no obvious pauses or mistakes. They all knew where they were supposed to be, when and why. 

The Band, small in number but mighty in sound, were just of stage in their own tent "that's so like a band!" and accompanied well and brilliantly led by Katherine Rockhill and I can see that the work done by her and MD Katie Hickson was well rewarded. WOMS are a very talented bunch.

The leads were strong, Molly Moffitt-McGrath as Jane, Matt McGrath as Timothy and Jonathan Pratt as Nigel Danvers held the show together well, the cast in their various guises backed them up fantastically well. The diction was of a very high quality, both sung and spoken, bearing in mind that this fast show had some energetic moves, well done all.

Its always a pleasure to come and see WOMS. The welcome we get is such that we feel that we are part of the family. Long may this continue. Thank you, another triumph.

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