THE DROWSY CHAPERONE

Trail blazers again – Newcastle Glees were brave enough to present a little known show which is a parody of American musical comedy of the 1920s. The show began and ended with Careen Starkey as Mrs Tottenham – a wealthy widow who is hosting “the wedding of the year”. Careen was a delightfully optimistic old lady with severe memory loss. Her faithful retainer, named only as “Underling”, was played with understated perfection by Jay Walsh. Although driven mad by Mrs Tottenham, the two ended the show in marital bliss together! The bride-to-be, Janet Van de Graaff, was expertly played by Ciara Mackey. She moved with total fluidity and her vocals were very impressive - a completely credible ex Broadway star. She and Robert Annett, in the role of the bridegroom Robert Martin an oil tycoon, made a believable couple. Robert sang and danced with confidence in the stylised way of the period. Nathan Jones was an energised best man George – perhaps a little too ‘over the top’. I think he would have been just as effective if he had toned down a bit. Emma-Jane McKnight was a perfect “Drowsy Chaperone” – never overplaying her inebriation and always classy. She gave a contained comical performance and her singing was assured – “As We Stumble Along” was truly a ‘rousing anthem to alcoholism’! Andy Hill gave a “towering” performance as Aldolpho as he seduced the wrong woman! Broadway Producer Mr Feldzieg (Ryan Greer) looked suitably nervous throughout, as he faced losing the star of his show and the threat from two gangsters disguised as Pastry Chefs. These two (Phelan Hardy & Cathan McRoberts) were a smart witted, fast moving pair who provided plenty of laughs too. The ditsy Kitty was portrayed by Orla Russell –  mostly true to her role as the wanna-be star. Smaller roles Trix (Fiona Keane) and Superintendent (Bridin Wells) and the whole Ensemble added character to this quirky piece, singing and dancing with style and enthusiasm.

Finally, the “Man in the Chair” over at the side of the stage, gave the performance of the night. Sitting in a worn old chair, in a dowdy apartment, wearing a shabby cardigan, Paddy McGennity bared his soul as the mousey agoraphobic musical theatre fanatic, who commented on the story, music and actors throughout the emerging show. I absolutely believed in Paddy and his total immersion in his favourite show “The Drowsy Chaperone”. With palpable intensity and convincing little mannerisms, his was an acting tour-de-force.

Complimented by exciting 1920s costumes and good Sound and Lighting this ‘show within a show’ was entertainment at its best. The nine-piece orchestra was well controlled by Donna McCracken in her debut as M.D. Choreography by Paula was fresh and well rehearsed and Director Neil teased out all possible comedy from everybody. The many sudden ‘freezes’ were spot on and the madness of the whole show became quite the norm!!

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