The Witches of Eastwick

~~It takes either a very adventurous society or a very silly one to take on this show, well I have to say Chapeltown Amateur Operatic Society is a very adventurous society and this week’s production of The Witches of Eastwick has proved this.
This is the musical version of the film which starred Jack Nicholson and to say this is a little risqué would be an understatement as there were a number of times when there was very audible gasps from the audience and I did hear a couple of swear words.
Having said this the audience loved it and quite rightly too, and they showed their appreciation with their applause after each number and at the end.
The story revolves around three ladies who live in the quiet suburban town of Eastwick in New England, USA, these ladies who are quite at opposite ends of the spectrum, end up living in harmony with each other, plus the main character Darryl Van Horne, played superbly by Simon Cant. Daryl “seduces” the ladies played by Jenni Newton-Smith, Fay Hobson and Kerry Masson and they played their parts not only in harmony on stage but also in their musical numbers, the best of these being “Make Him Mine”, a beautiful number which appears several times in the show. The highlight of these three, and I would guess a highlight for them, was in Act 2 when they actually flew around the stage much to the delight of the audience.
As I mentioned Simon Cant played the “wicked” Darryl Van Horne and he played it with conviction thus ensuring the audience knew right from the word go what he was and what was happening.
As in every town there is always someone who knows exactly what is going off in the neighbourhood, and in Eastwick this person was in the guise of Felicia Gabriel played to perfection by Julie Palmer, she was the typical, dare I say, busybody we all know and who thinks they are the local “do gooder”. Although she is only small what she lacks in height she certainly made up for in her voice especially when calling for her husband, Clyde played expertly by Michael Parker.
The production of this show was beyond being good it was brilliant and credit must be given to the production team of Jan Jackson, Director, David Burgess, Show Musical Director, Gail Renshaw, Choreographer, David Clayton, Society Musical Director and also Graham Cowley as accompanist. Credit must also be given to Kevin Palmer and Ben Jackson as Stage Managers who were able to ensure all scene changes were carried out with precision.
Mention must also be made to Amy Palmer as Jennifer Gabriel and her love interest, Michael Spofford played by Jonny White, these two, who for the majority of the time had only a fleeting appearance on stage, made sure their presence had been made by their singing and acting skills. I also must pay credit to Rosie Clay who played “the little girl” and who skipped on stage at various points throughout the show singing little songs which actually told the story of this show.
As I mentioned earlier the scene changes were slick and this worked perfectly hand in hand with the choreography to ensure the whole show moved with ease.
I must mention one person who did not say a word until the very last minute but who almost stole the show, Fidel minced around the stage and gave knowing glances to various characters and as I said did not say a word but I suspect everyone knew exactly what he was thinking, well done to Lee Brammer.
Many congratulations to Chapeltown for taking this challenge and also for coming up trumps and pulling it off.
 

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