Sing On!

Sing On! by Rick Abbott is the sequel to the comedy Play On! Although a sequel, the story stands alone and tells of a luckless amateur dramatic society and their attempt to put on a musical.  Faced with dire economic circumstances they are forced into doing another show by Phyllis Montague (also seen in Play On!) but this time with songs by her nephew Monte.  We know at the outset that disaster is sure to follow.    Anyone who has been in such a group will recognise the highs and lows.  There are the usual absentees, late arrivals, bolshy backstage team and on top of that, the playwright arrives with a script that has inappropriate songs such as “Oh Susanna” in the court of Queen Elizabeth I!

There are lots of plays about ill-fated am dram productions but this one also had music as well as a heavily pregnant Virgin Queen! There were some strong performances: Jennie Barr as the Director had the right level of authority and patience and Ros Shepherd as Polly had some lovely facial expressions and an intentionally bad Scottish accent. She also had to control an unwieldy farthingale.  John Hamshare as Monte (as Don Diego) attracted many laughs with his very funny and exaggerated Spanish accent.    Graeme Cooper deserves special praise for stepping into the role of Bill Carewe (as Lord Essex) at very late notice giving a polished and professional performance.   The director, Warwick Howe, and his team are to be congratulated on a very funny production with great comic touches that sent the audience home laughing.

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