Sunday in the Park with George

This musical is inspired by the French artist, George Seurat and the eventual completion of perhaps his most famous work “ A Sunday Afternoon On The Island Of Grande Jatte” in 1884-1886.

The lively opening number, Sunday in the Park with George  gradually introduced the main characters against a silvery backdrop curtain behind which was seated the  band. The attractive park scene was well depicted by trees moved on runners and a range of small props moved on and off stage by cast members. Moveable side flats were used to denote the exhibition in Act Two. The stunning costumes, especially in Act One were in period and quite spectacular  thanks to the Director and Assistant Director.

Wade Ablitt, as George, was on stage constantly and played this part with huge enthusiasm and boundless energy. His acting was superb and he had a wonderful, powerful but sometime sensitive voice which was heard in many numbers and duets. His mistress Evie White, as Dot was also a powerful presence on stage and had some fabulous duets with George.

In truth every actor was excellent in their superb singing, clear diction and interpretation of their role with such wonderful facial expressions which greatly enhanced the storyline. I was surprised to find so much comedy in the script well delivered by the cast. Charlie Leggett, as the baker Louis (and Dot's future husband) added cheeky comedy to his role with crafty winks to the audience.

I also enjoyed the roles of Jules ( another artist) and his wife Yvonne, played by Martin Leigh and Helen Wheatley with Jules being particularly disdainful and dismissive of the merits of George's work. There were a number of complementary and thoughtful pairings eg  Celeste 1 and 2 (Martha Mugford and Chloe Brown) and Franz (Simon Hoyle) with Frieda  ( Charlotte Sampson) as the coachman and cook and the American couple, Mr and Mrs ( Roger Jackaman and Jan Simmons) , both desperate to leave Paris.

Young Misty Taplin had a petrifying scream as Louise, the daughter of Jules and Yvonne, always running around looking for mischief. Well done Misty. Stephanie Brown was a convincing Old Lady who turned out to be George's mother and was very domineering to her nurse, Aimee Salmon. Dayle Saunders was a rough and ready boatman and Glyn Lee was a soldier. I especially enjoyed his handling of his “cardboard cutout” fellow soldier !

Act Two moved on one hundred years to 1984 with appropriate modern costumes and makeup. Here  Evie White played Marie, George's grandmother one hundred years on. The pace of the entire show was fast moving and well balanced throughout.

The choreography was varied and movement around the stage carefully designed.  Musical Director Olly Wood led the five piece band on piano and provided great support to the actors. Sound and lighting and special effects were all complementary to the action and enhanced the production enormously. In particular the Chromalume was very convincing, comprising metal cubes housing mirrors and spot lights changing colour.

I congratulate everyone involved in this production for such a sparkling performance.

Director Steve Taplin has done a magnificent job in bringing this extraordinary production to life and fully exploiting the many and varied talents within the cast. I had the chance to meet him after the performance to offer my congratulations.

 

Hazel Hole MBE,  Regional Representative, NODA East District11.

On behalf of Catherine Dixey, Regional Representative, NODA East District 12

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