Sweet Charity

With great numbers like ‘Big Spender’ and ‘Rhythm of Life’, a cast in fine voice and talented principals, the company gave their audience lots to enjoy. The story of dancehall hostess looking for love and a meaningful relationship is a poignant one. Michelle Weston in the leading singing and dancing role of Charity catches her naivety and resilience. Rarely off the stage, with her powerful and versatile voice she poured her heart out in ‘Where Am I Going?’ and ‘You Should see Yourself’ and brought humour and pathos to ‘If My Friends Could See Me Now’.  Her relationship with the needy man she met in the lift kept us hoping all would turn out fine. This man Oscar Lindquist was played convincingly by John Coe a seasoned performer, as the needy paranoid. They paired confidently, harmoniously and hopefully in their shared numbers but in the end his self interest could not accept her past. Charity had the support of seemingly worldly wise friends Nickie, and Helen, performed by Greer Robertson and Chiara Sportelli, who, on news of her wedding, turned out emotionally fragile. Their singing ‘There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This’ and their harmonies in ‘Baby Dream Your Dream’ were well delivered. Good cameo roles were undertaken by Colin Fawkes and Jo Simpson as Vittorio and his fiancée Ursula. The bedroom scene was a humour highlight and both had strong stage presence. Andrew Gibson gave a good account of himself as the cult leader Daddy Brubeck leading an energetic ‘Rhythm of Life’. Stewart Borthwick embodied the domineering and prowling dancehall boss whose voice underpinned the closing number. Minor characters of Carmen the cynical hostess and Rosie the new hostess played by Dale Henry and Chloe Kennedy contributed to the action. Even producer Derek got in the act with his all too brief butler role. With costumes glittering to create the ambiance of a dance hall, the cast sang and moved as one. The show had seriously good movement and particularly well choreographed and effective in the black and white outfits was the ‘Rich Man’s Frug’. The orchestra created a good sound and complemented the singers.  Congratulations all round.

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