The Pajama Game

~~This company continues to amaze me with the quality of their productions. They pick a show, which in my opinion is not one of the better known American ones and attack it with such verve and enthusiasm that it was well worth watching.
Babe Williams and Sid Sorokin, very ably played by the fifteen year old Helena Graham and the nineteen year old Ryan Eglon, gave performances which belied their tender years. Both had excellent stage presence, good acting skills and first class singing both in their solos and duets.
Alistair Bolton as Hines kept his part moving, showing consummate artistry in his knife throwing act, whilst Mabel (Janet Cocker) and Gladys (Dawn Hodgson) added good comedy roles in support.
Ian Cocker cast in the role of Myron Hasler, the factory owner at times was almost Scrooge like in his defence of his money, not wishing to give the workers a pay rise. Contrasted to this was Prez (Phil Martin), the union leader who gave us a performance reminiscent of a trade union leader from the dinosaur age of some thirty to forty years ago.
Edwin Newlyn as Babe’s father “Pop” added much sympathy and understanding to a small cameo role.
The other supporting cast played their parts well keeping in character and not just delivering lines as an afterthought as we sometimes see.
The chorus work was good with commendable singing and movement, the latter aspect being ably controlled by Lizzie Rowland, the choreographer who made sure that the dances were well planned and executed.
In the capable hands of Sue Rowland the musical director the chorus were made to work hard to achieve their objectives and her orchestra was handled with firm discipline.
With regard to the backstage work, the costumes were good, scenery also good and here the crew did the scene changes with ease, not interfering with the flow of the show, and the lighting appeared to be just right.
As his first attempt at directing, Gordon Smyrell must be well pleased with the result and he has every right to be proud of the success of this show
 

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