South Pacific

This musical was first produced in New York in 1949 and at Drury Lane in 1951. South Pacific continues the Rodgers and Hammerstein’s school of musical theatre by combining a sturdy libretto with music and lyrics that were an integral part of the plot. The audience enjoyed some truly sparkling performances especially from Emma Jackson who was ideal as the naïve, knuckle-head Nellie Forbush the naval nurse from Little Rock Arkansas who extracted every nuance from this part, and she impressed in both her acting and singing.

The part of the suave French planter Emile de Becque was played by Peter Thompson, he had a commanding stage presence and he knew every inch of the character musically and dramatically, there was good chemistry between him and Nellie. His singing of ‘This Nearly was Mine’ was quite beautiful. Lt. Joe Cable’s tender and tragic romance with a Polynesian girl Liat was tenderly portrayed by Zoe Dainty and Matthew Bradley, and his singing of ‘Younger Than Springtime’ was very good. The plum role of Bloody Mary was in the capable hands of Ceri Hamer, she looked fantastic combined with an engaging cackle and her singing of ‘Bali Hai’i’ was great. As always in this show the men revelled in the opportunity to indulge themselves as the Sailors, Marines and Seabees led by Luther Billis and what a good job he did, well done Chris Isherwood.

I thought that the men sang super in ‘There is Nothing Like a Dame’. The ladies chorus have not got a lot to do, but they obviously enjoyed their roles as Nurses and Polynesian ladies. I have to say that you all looked wonderful with your 40’s hair styles, good to see attention to detail. Very good cameo parts of Captain Brackett, and Cmdr. Harbison were well played by Bob Bailey and John Haydock, all other small parts were well executed.

What can I say about the children Ngana and Jerome, you always draw the ‘aah’s’ from the audience, well done both Cameron and Oliver, and Niamh and Sasha.

This was a very good production with lots of nice touches. I liked the sound effects and lighting especially when the plane was coming into land and the two batsmen in a ‘spot’ guiding the plane in.

Congratulations to producer Kerry Hartin for a lovely show, full of fresh ideas and to the musical director for controlling a good orchestra. Thank you.

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