Sweet Charity

I have heard a lot about Sweet Charity but had not seen it until this production in Langholm. There were a lot of scene changes all handled slickly and efficiently by the back stage crew.

There is scope in this show to let the principals shine and tonight was no exception. The part of Charity was excellently played by Leona Evans, and exuded confidence and was a pleasure to watch. She (Charity not Leona) is a mixed up kid who is looking for the right man, but believes that when she finds him it will not last and she will be let down.  Leona has a superb singing voice and used it to super effect in her solo numbers like "If My Friends Could See Me now". This was when she has been picked up by the Italian lothario Vidal who has been jilted by his suger mama Ursula excellently played by Jane Edmond. Tommy Newall as Vidal was an eye opener. He has stage prescence in abundance, and his characterisation of the Italian movie heartthrob was second to none. Inevitably Charity gets dumped, again, and soon meets up with Oscar (Glen Cavers). What can I say about him and his performance that I have not already said. His portrayal of the weak, nervous, neurotic actuary was superb. I could not fault his performance and he held his character and accent etc etc throughout. The scene in the lift which closed the first act and opened the second was side splitting. Oscar drags Charity to the Rythym of Life church and this scene was held together by a very good chorus number "The Rythym of Life" with Nicole Weatherstone taking the lead as Mamma Brubeck. This showed off the work that the chorus had put into the production with a lively and tuneful number.

Charity's two pals in the Fandango Club where she works as a dancer, Helene (Fiona Evans) and Nickie (Michelle Sterling), look out for her and their support gets her through her somewhat "desperate" life. Along with the other Fandango Girls they gave a great rendition of "Big Spender". 

Charity is convinced that she and Oscar are destined to be togeher for all time and her friends at the Fandango Club put on a party for them. Les Murray led this in the "I Like to Cry at Weddings" number. He acted his part as he always does with clever timing and comic precision, but I wasnt convinced that this song suited him.

In the end Oscar decides that he cant marry Charity as he would always be concerned that there would be other men in her life and eventually gives her the push - into the lake where he first found her.

The supporting cast in this show was very good and all played their parts to make this a very entertaining evening. 

Thank You Langholm.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.