South Pacific

Over the years I have had the privilege of attending numerous musicals performed by Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society (WODS). This was however my first show representing NODA.

The evening of 20 October was well represented with NODA guests including Mr Michael Hastilow The National President and Mr Ian G Cox West Midlands Regional Councillor. WODS like most musical societies at times present some of the more modern recently released shows. However, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein ll musicals always prove to be a popular choice and South Pacific is no exception. First produced on Broadway in 1949 playing to rave reviews, WODS played to a full house for all six performances.

South Pacific does not have a big opening number. Instead it’s up to Ngana and Jerome, played on the evening we saw the show by Ella Holland and Ethan Coombs. Well done to both of you for lovely singing voices and playing the parts of Emile de Becque’s children.

The show opens to Emile de Becque played by Dean Baylis playing host and soon falling in love with Ensign Nellie Forbush. The relationship between these two characters must be believable and luckily the actors carried this out to the enjoyment of the audience. Although Baylis was younger than many who have played the role before it was easy to understand why he was cast. His French accent was maintained throughout the performance and was believable as was his acting.  His songs including Some Enchanted Evening and This Nearly Was Mine were clear and crisp.

Leanne Stephens was the ideal Nellie Forbush singing her songs with confidence and working well with Baylis especially when both singing This is How it Feels. She also worked well with the female chorus during I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair. The chorography during this number was particularly well crafted and rehearsed.

South Pacific contains so many iconic characters and even more well-known and well-loved songs, indeed they just follow one another throughout the whole show. Every member of the cast placed into it an amazing amount of energy and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. Especially during the big chorus numbers. WODS manged to find a young male chorus who sang and danced their way through There’s Nothing Like a Dame with gusto.  

With a large named cast, it is difficult to single out other individual performers. Sian Williams as Bloody Mary gave a particularly unique portrayal along with her daughter Liat played by Emma Fradgley.

The comedy in South Pacific mainly rests with Luther Billis and his attempt to get to Bali- Ha’i. Doug Millington – Smith played the part with great enthusiasm and energy to bring out the character’s humour.   

The officers Capt. George Bracket and Cmdr. William Harbison played by Bruce Wyatt and Rob Cockrell have several scenes which move the story on. These scenes are opportunities to make major set changes however, they were excellently portrayed by Wyatt and Cockrell, both of whom were ideal for their parts. Meanwhile Jonathan Stephens as Lt Joseph Cable acted and sung the part well, including the at times controversial, Carefully Taught.  

On entering the auditorium, the audience saw an open stage with a set taking us to the warm seas of the south pacific. We were promptly taken to the terrace of Emile de Becque’s plantation home. This set change was the first of the twenty scenes in this production. Each change was effective and enabled the whole show to run efficiently.  I understand WODS built the stage used during the song ‘Honey Bunn’. This was effective and in keeping with the scene.

This is a long show but the evening passed at a remarkable speed which showed the performance was of a good quality.

The nine-piece band under the leadership of Edward Roberts-Malpass were well balanced and set at a level where they supported the songs well ensuring every word of every song could be heard.

Thank you to all at Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society for another excellent production. Next year brings your 125th Anniversary. In 1892 WODS presented HMS Pinafore. 125 years later WODS take us on board to witness this Gilbert and Sullivan masterpiece once again. I look forward to it.

 Andy Brown on behalf of Bruce Wyatt

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