The Witches of Eastwick

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As every year progresses and with every show, the Act II section of BYP seems to get better and better. Is it because their chosen shows are more modern and therefore more challenging??? The quality of singing and the diction of all the musical numbers was superb, the difficult timings and harmonies performed with ease and nothing was made more simple just because the performers are young people.  The Witches (Alex, Jane & Sukie) were excellently portrayed by Charlotte Lazenby, Megan Elsegood and Jess Spafford – the cello playing was beautifully synchronized, ‘Words, words, words’, a very difficult song, was executed as well as any Professional would, ‘Make him mine’ was sung with true feeling, but the girls reacted so well together and really got the most out of their characters, the plot and the story.  The flying sequence was a joy to behold and brought well deserved and prolonged applause from the audience.  Very well done everyone.

I would have liked a little more comedy from Felicia and Clyde but the coughing sequence was very well done as was her brutal end.  The minimal scenery was adequate and the costumes/hairstyles very good as was the acting from all the lesser players, especially the little girl (Abigail Hare) who acted as a narrator and skipped very cheekily on and off stage.  The orchestra, as always in BYP productions was excellent and well controlled to accompany the singers and never compete with them.

The one person I have omitted to mention so far was the man himself Darryl van Horne – Matthew Butters, who held the stage and your attention, from the moment he first entered to the final curtain.  His manipulation of ‘the witches’ was completed so effortlessly and the lives of all the people living in Eastwick overturned so easily.  He led the story and the action with ease, interplaying with the other characters delightfully.  This was just the part to show off his many talents to the full. Congratulations.

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