The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is based on a true story of a legendary Texas brothel, which operated from 1840’s to 1973. Protected by a friendly sheriff and frequented by politicians, football teams and others, the ‘Chicken Ranch’ thrived in the small town of Gilbert, Texas. However, a crusading television reporter decides to make the illegal activity an issue by exposing the Chicken Ranch, and political ramifications force it to shut its doors forever. The opening scene evolves from the 1930‘s to 1973 where Miss Mona has since inherited the business. Louise Simcox was excellent as Miss Mona. Her fine singing and acting skills were very much in evidence as she delivered a very convincing authoritativeness whilst demonstrating compassion and motherly concern for her girls. There was a lovely chemistry between Mona and the Sheriff superbly played by Kim Harris. His fondness for Mona was so touching and he really showed his mettle when trying to help save the ranch. His singing of ‘Good Ole Girl’ was so movingly and well sung. Jewel, Mona’s right hand lady, was wonderfully portrayed by Dionne Reid and her singing of ‘Twenty-Four Hours of Lovin’ was outstanding as was the duet with Mona - ‘No Lies’. The sexy and scantily dressed ‘girls’ were all great and their many singing and dancing numbers were lively, sassily and exuberantly executed. I especially liked the naivety shown by Kat Adey as Shy, the country bumpkin, who in a very clever sequence aided by the girls, changes from overalls into a very fetching outfit and also  that of Ellie Mallinson as Angel who convincingly portrayed a mixture of outward determination and vulnerability. Kirsty Bilbie was first-rate as Doatsey Mae and her singing of ‘Doatsey Mae’ was exceptional. Not to be outdone by the delightfully provocative girls, the performance of ‘The Aggie Song’ by the Aggies was a real highlight. The very demanding choreography was so enthusiastically, energetically and rousingly performed, it was just brilliant. Alan Lowe excelled as Melvin P. Thorpe, the TV reporter, his antics were hilarious. Phil Stanley too, brought out the humour in the role of the turn-coat Governor, with a solid and sound performance and good support came from those in the minor roles and from the Angelettes, the cheerleaders. Excellent costumes and scenery backed up by good lighting and sound made this a fun show until the very end when they are all forced to leave and the singing of  ‘Hard Candy Christmas’ was so poignantly but at the same time so heart-warmingly delivered it definitely gave hope for their future. Congratulations to everyone involved especially as weeks prior to the show going on, the company were informed that the Guildhall, where they were going to perform, was out of commission. So ‘the show must go on‘ certainly presented the Committee with more than a few headaches, but they did it and the show at the new venue was certainly ‘fine and dandy’!   

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