The Likes of Us

A baking hot Saturday afternoon, England playing football and I’m at the theatre seeing a show I’d never seen previously.  I couldn’t have been happier!  This was the first production by the society at a new venue, their first musical for almost three years and a commendable debut musical production by the Director.   The show was also the first collaboration between Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, written in 1965 but not being performed until 2005.

The musical is based on the life of Dr Thomas Barnardo and his fight to improve the lives of under privileged children which resulted in his opening of a home for young people in 1870.  The story is told by a Narrator who was played clearly by Paul Sorfleet.

The leading role of Dr Barnardo was extremely well performed by Cameron O’Byrne who has a fine tenor voice and almost perfect diction, so important when you don’t know the show.  His trials are neatly wrapped up in some of his songs including his opener ‘I’m A Very Busy Man’, ‘Strange and Lovely Song’ and ‘How Am I To Know’, all being performed to a high level.

The love of his life was Syrie who was delightfully played by Rebecca Todd.  Again, Rebecca has a lovely voice and sang clearly.  I thought her duet with Barnardo, ‘Will This Last Forever?’, although she didn’t have many lines, was absolutely beautiful.  Not far behind was ‘You Won’t Care About Him Anymore’ with Jenny.

Two young members of the cast gave very creditable performances namely Sam Dulson as Johnny and Katie Dulson as Jenny.  Their doomed love affair was competently portrayed, both of them showing great potential.  ‘Love Is Here’ is a super number.

The opening number in the show was ‘Twice in Love Every Day’ with Jane Bradley powerfully leading the ensemble as Rose, the so called tart with a heart.  Other good and catchy chorus numbers included ‘Going, Going, Gone!’ with a strong Auctioneer in Christopher Jaques (who could have done to be miked), ‘Have Another Cup of Tea’ and ‘Hold a March’ when the cast came through, and involved, the audience.  Also a strong number is ‘Lion Hearted Land’ which was well fronted by Steve Aylmer as the Prime Minister.  The title song was extremely well done by the eight urchins, all of whom performed well, with Bethany Bentham and Owen Dulson charged with leading them in the lively ‘Man Of The World’.

In a way The Likes of Us is a traditional style of show which, in a strange way, seemed quite familiar and it includes songs with musical interludes which invariably get filled with some sort of movement which is not always necessary.  However most of the movement was kept simple and adequate.  An open set with furniture and props being moved during the Narrator’s pieces worked well and costumes, with limited changes, were fine.

I thought that the orchestra, many of whom were from Hull University providing their services free, was superb.

The society admit there is a lot of work to be done at their new home and I really hope that time will be on their side.  Good audiences, as this show achieved, will help their cause.

I had no idea what to expect and I loved the show!

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