The Pajama Game

Following their award-winning Jekyll & Hyde in 2016 the company have chosen to do a more ‘traditional’ production on this occasion. Set in the Sleep-Tite Pajama factory, this musical set in 1954 deals with troubles of the workers whose demands for a 7 ½ cent raise go unheeded.

John Morrison’s characterisation and comedic timing impressed me once again, he was perfectly cast in the part of Vernon Hines who keeps his eye on the factory’s production rate and also Gladys a young, flirty secretary, played with confidence and attitude by Natalie Buzzard. I particularly liked their scene where someone is sabotaging the good name of ‘Sleep Tite ‘, by tuning out shoddy goods. The audience laughed out loud at the trouser antics! (not in a rude way) And I must also mention Vernon’s “Think of The Time I Save. “   
The union get heavily involved in the fight for the raise, and the mouthpiece/leader Prez was played well with assertiveness and just the right amount of sleaze when chasing the women by Kris Evans.
There is a new superintendent at the factory Sid Sorokin who was played by a new face to BMTC Steve Kendall who’s voice was well suited to singing “Hey There “and “Small Talk”. Inevitably love starts to blossom between the Sid and the head of the factory grievance committee Babe Williams played by the talented Rhian Clements who supported by the other factory girls entertained us with “I’m Not at All in Love “and amongst other well-known numbers “Seven And A Half Cents.”
The workers and management try to forget about all the unrest, and all go on the factory day out (picnic) The energetic company sang their hearts out in “Once A Year Day “under the expert musical direction of Chris Corcoran. 
The above was well supported by Jonathan Eastwood as Myron Hasler, the factory owner whose bark is often worse than his bite. Jill Hughes as Mabel Hasler’s long-suffering secretary, Karen Lane as Mae, Rebecca Lowe as Poopsie and John Clay as Pop.
The highlight of the evening for me was undoubted “Steam Heat “soooo well done, huge congratulations are in order Sadie Turner for your fabulous choreography and Natalie and the dancers for the faultless performance, I loved it.

Thank you for inviting me to yet another thoroughly enjoyable production, Joyce Eyre     

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