The Pajama Game

The audience were welcomed by a screen with an image of the warm smiling face of Director Emeritus, Linda Evans, in a tribute to her, as she sadly passed away in January.   She had been director and driving force of the Players from 2000 to 2023.

The show is set mostly in the ‘Sleep Tite’ Pajama Factory in the 50’s, where the workers are in dispute with management over a 7.5 cents pay rise, this is a large focus of the show.  It is a good old-fashioned tale of romance, with some fireworks, misunderstandings, dramas and humour thrown in, a real feel-good piece, with some lovely music.  During the playing of the overture a series of slides were displayed on the screen, which helped set a bit of background to the show and its era.  The show had various locations and there were several appropriate Front of Tabs scenes which enabled the swift and efficient set changes.  The well painted sets from Andy Black and Atarah Ash worked well, the backdrop to the main factory had large windows with an outdoors scene through them, and an inset in front for the offices.  In the scene in Sid’s Office there some fussy moments with stools, which might have been avoided if a couple had been set in front of the desks.  There was a lovely backdrop for the picnic and a smaller one for the kitchen, with a very atmospheric set for Hernando’s Hideaway.  Several painted blocks were well used as desks tables and such, and combined with furniture and authentic looking props the set was well dressed.  The sewing machines and typewriter were very effective.  The sound effects were in keeping with the story and mostly well cued, with the well-handled playback of the Dictaphone.  The stage was well lit, giving changes to indoor and outdoor scenes, and brilliant atmosphere to the night club, and a good follow spot on Babe for ‘Hey There’.  The show had been well costumed in keeping with the era and combined with correct hairstyles and makeup added to the overall picture.

This is an acoustic venue and the 4-piece band played well, and there were only a few times when the singers were overpowered by the music.  Some of the songs are quite challenging as they have difficult timing, but they had all been well taught by MD Chloe Allsopp-Jones and everyone came in on time.  Perhaps a little more thought was needed occasionally at the beginning of a song as there were a few places where I felt the actors were in place ready to start singing and had to wait, the action did not flow seamlessly into the song.  The choreography was varied and tailored to the ability of the performers with more dynamitic routines for the real dancers in the cast, such as ‘Steam Heat’, which was a well performed number  This is a small stage and so does allow the space for large company routines, but in ‘Once A Year Day’ the company movement was good, with smaller groups of dancers performing more elaborate routines such as the tap dance, and cartwheels, it worked well.  Having couples performing the tango in the Hall diverted the audience’s attention from the scene changing on stage.

This show has a well-balanced mix of characters giving opportunity to a wide range of performers, and everyone had made the most of the role they were given.  There were a few times on this opening night when some voices did not carry well, but I expect that was first night nerves combined with not quite being used to having an audience, the venue and band.  The main protagonists had developed believable characters who worked well together.  Sid Sorokin, the factory superintendent, newly arrived on the scene, sets a few hearts a flutter.  The role was confidently acted as the charming, but stubborn, ambitious, but fair-minded character.  He has some lovely songs including ‘Hey There’, where he sings a duet with himself.  He had built a believable relationship with Babe.  Catherine ‘Babe’ Williams, was a lovely character, she is leader of the Union Grievance Committee, and her first encounter with Sid is when he is accused of hitting a worker.  She is a feisty character prepared to fight for what she believes in, but a romantic at heart.  This was a lovely portrayal from this experienced actress, who also sang and danced well.  Hines, the factory timekeeper, was well played, by an actor with obvious experience.  He handled the comedy well, particularly the faulty Pajamas and the intoxicated knife throwing during annual company picnic.  Myron Hasler, the factory boss, liked to think he was in total control, was not a pleasant character who shouted a lot.  I had the feeling the actor was not totally comfortable in the role.  Prez, who was the head of the union, and although married likes to chase the women.  This actor was totally relaxed in his role, acting, moving and singing well.  He had nice duets with Gladys and Mae.  Gladys, secretary to Myron Hasler, the factory boss, was hard working and loyal to her boss.  She is attractive and flirty and so popular with the men.  This role was confidently played with good acting, singing and dancing, particularly ‘Steam Heat’.  Mabel, Sid’s secretary, gave the appearance of being the efficient secretary, keeping people in order, although occasionally gossipy.  Mae, was played as loud mouthed and crass, and she threw herself at Prez when he made advances towards her, and had a nice duet with him after the picnic.  All other roles were well played, with everyone comfortable in what they were doing and supporting the main action.  It was lovely to see the younger members of the cast developing mature performances, and newcomers growing in confidence.

Director Heather Collins had worked well with her cast and production team to bring an enjoyable show to the stage.  Thought had been given how to help alleviate constriction on the stage by using the Hall for entrances and exits.  There was some nice characterisation and a real party atmosphere was created at the picnic, and everyone responded well to ‘Steam Heat’.  Well done everyone.

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