South Pacific

It is a well-known fact that Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals contain feel-good, singalong, toe-tapping tunes, but, surely, South Pacific takes this to extremes! We have “Some Enchanted Evening”, “Nothin’ Like a Dame”, I’m Gonna Wash that Man right out-a my Hair”, “Happy Talk”, “This Nearly was Mine” to name but a few – and there are still more. 

This show, premiered in 1949, still pulls in the audiences, and this week in Lochgelly CentreTheatre was no exception.  Lochgelly & District Musical Association, now in their 78th year, have gathered a strong cast led by Erin Gilliland-Paterson (Nellie Forbush) and Mark Grieve (Emile de Becque). Erin and Mark formed an outstanding leading duo, singing and delivering lines with the utmost clarity, and with a stage presence that belied their young ages. Children in a show always bring out the “Aww!” factor in the audience – sometimes this is not entirely due to their stage performance – here it most certainly was. From an unenviable first song in the show, Cahan Campbell (Jerome) and Nina McLeod (Ngana) proved that they are cast members of the future. At other performances, Ruby Barker and Beth Adams covered Ngana, with Max McNab (Jerome), and, a little bird has told me, they were excellent also!

Ali Robertson’s Bloody Mary was a delight. From her arguing with Billis over grass skirts to her “Happy Talk” duet with Liat (Rebecca Gorman) her character never lapsed, and, again, diction was distinct throughout. Craig Tait (Lt. Cable) ensured the audience received their quota of romantic solos, and those delivered with passion and feeling.  Finally, Bill Paul as Capt. George Brackett ensured, on every entrance, that the stage was his. Bill’s not inconsiderable years of stage experience was a perfect example to younger members of how to take a character and hold the audience’ attention with a powerful stage presence and thoughtfully delivered dialogue – a subtle pause in a speech often being more meaningful than running lines en masse.

The large number of minor parts played by members of the chorus together with a fine ensemble all added to a most enjoyable evening.

Director (Wilma Finnie) and Musical Director (Suzanne Stewart) both deserve mention for their hard work, as does Yvonne Tait (Choreographer) for not only keeping the girls in time – but the men as well!!

Well done LADAMA!

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