The Witches of Eastwick

The feature of this show is that you become mesmerised by the characters and drawn into the circumstances of three lonely women yearning for the perfect man. A stranger arrives in their small community and seems to be the answer to their dreams but he turns out to be more sinister and controlling than they could have imagined.  John Knox as Darryl Van Horn got under the skin of the role and moved around with ease. He caught the charismatic, manipulative and psychotic aspects of the character and sang with power and control. The three witches were well cast and harmonised beautifully: Claire Withnell as sculptress Alexandra delivered some humorous one-liners with impeccable timing, Siobhan Smith as Music Teacher Jane executed a wonderfully choreographed seductive song with Darryl and her cello, and Hannah Easton’s  talking song ‘Words’ as Suki did not miss a beat and her held notes were a joy.  Sue Spencer grasped the domineering, organising First Citizen role of Felicia precisely with her mannerisms - and realistic vomiting.  Craig Lowe as her husband Clyde just had to seek solace elsewhere being no match for her until his frustrations took over. Rebecca Gillies as their daughter Jennifer seemed suitably bewildered and with her young love Michael, played by Chris Hogg, feelingly sang a very testing duet. Two younger cast members made their mark, Erin Boyes as the innocent Little Girl and Paul MacDonald as a spooky and polished Fidel.  The townspeople were well characterised and the chorus all had their roles and movements well in hand. Dirty Laundry and the raunchy Devil Dance were executed with relish. Costuming was fresh, apt and colourful, especially all the red devils. The stage was well used and scenery and props well handled.  This was a show understood by the cast, where producer brought out the niceties and humour in the script and MD brought out the best in the singing. Thoroughly enjoyable and one of LAMP’s best.

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