Sweet Charity

This was my first visit to ‘Burnley Mechanics’ (what a wonderful venue you have) but I most sincerely hope that it will not be my last. Following on from that, I need to say that I do not normally mention the names of performers in my review – my fear being that if anyone who thought they should be included is ‘missed out’ the inference which can be drawn may be very damaging – so I don’t do it! – Sorry. To me any production should be a real team effort and the cast applauding therefore is a real and definite NO from me.   However, having got my own, very personal grouse out of the way – on with the review:-

I find Sweet Charity to be something of an odd, yet classic show, containing as it does, a handful of sing-able, memorable numbers featuring in the titular role Charity Hope Valentine, the sleazy ‘tango-club dancer’ and eternal optimist.  Having put our heroine in the spot-light right in the centre of the action she proceeds to have humiliation and rejection heaped upon her – but remains up-beat and positive despite all that life throws at her.

It was immediately apparent that we were in for a cracking show from the first down-beat of the baton by Steven Mercer – the orchestra under his direction made a simply superb sound.  It was most unfortunate that I was quite unable to hear the first two or three lines of dialogue from Charity as either the music over was too loud, or the microphone was not high enough.  

The scenery was all done by video wall – which of course almost totally negates the need for any scene changes, so the pace was excellent with little or no down-time for the many scene changes. Set dressing appeared in the main to be carried out by members of the cast and was highly effective, quick, quiet and efficient, and it looked great too! 

Very many congratulations of the costumes – you set the 60’s era perfectly and everyone looked exactly right.  

The direction and choreography in the expert hands of Anthony Williams was spot on and exactly right for the time-line.  One of my pet hates in Charity is that despite being dunked in the lake and almost drowning she invariably emerges bone dry and I regret that this production appeared from what I could see to repeat this flaw, although I do understand that she had been thoroughly wetted it really was not apparent from the audience.   To be fair though that really was the only semi- flaw - I was particularly impressed with the scenes in The Fandango Ballroom as you managed to capture exactly seediness and sadness of the predicament the ladies find themselves in. ‘Big Spender’ was a real show-stopper performed excellently – I loved it!

In fact, all the ‘major’ numbers were show-stoppers in their own right – Rhythm of Life was an absolute joy to watch and listen to and the atmosphere generated in ‘I Love to Cry at Weddings’ displayed some great comedic moments, and Rich Man’s Frug was performed with great energy and timing and was brilliant.    

Whilst this can almost be described as a ‘one woman show’ – well done Charity – it does take all of the characters to make the actual show, and there were some lovely performances with well-drawn characters and believable relationships. There were some excellent facial expressions across the whole cast.  The dead-eyes of the Fandango Girls, the lift scene with Oscar and the bedroom scene with Vittorio to name but three of my personal favourites. 

All in all this was a great evening’s entertainment which I enjoyed tremendously.  Very many thanks for inviting me, and for your generous hospitality on my first but I sincerely hope not my last visit to your obviously very talented society.

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