Thoroughly Modern Millie

Thoroughly Modern Millie isn’t a show presented very often, so I was delighted to watch HODC tackle this modern classic.  The story starts with, and follows, small-town girl Millie Dillmount as she arrives in New York City with a couple of suitcases in hand and a plan to marry for money instead of love.  Millie is a very demanding part for any performer, but Claire Clark tackled it with effortless genius. One of the first people Millie meets in NYC is cheeky chappy, and heir in disguise, Jimmy Smith played by Markus Swift.  Markus brought Jimmy’s spirited character to life with ease and in particular his solo “What Do I Need with Love” was a highlight.  In meeting Jimmy he points her, to the Hotel Priscilla where she is introduced to the colourfully intriguing Mrs Mears; a hotelier, former actress and worker for a Hong Kong white slave trade played by Cathy Taylor who used her excellent comic timing and alternating accents to fill the auditorium with laughter, especially in the number “They Don’t Know”.  Ably assisting her with the comedy was David Black as Bun Foo and Grant Ritchie as Ching Ho, her Chinese immigrant workers.  What a joy it was to watch David and Grant work so well together.  The duo joined Mrs Mears for the hilarious “Maqin” which had the audience in stiches.  Millie befriends her ‘Priscilla Girls’, each with their own individual dynamic characteristics.  Gillian Black, Joanne Denney, Kirsten Keenan, Emma Rodger, Rebecca Scott and Carly Slamin worked well together and were consistent throughout.  Millie also meets is Miss Dorothy; a bubbly girl of refinement, another heiress in disguise, whose songs are a mixture of usual musical theatre along with a requirement for strong opera tones.  Nicole Dickie tackled this role flawlessly.  Trevor Greydon of the Sincere Trust, was played wonderfully by Christopher Costello.  The comedy where Millie ‘flirts’ with Greydon was fantastically funny and made by the way that Claire and Christopher worked together.  Their speedy lyrical number “The Speed Test”, backed by a talented ensemble, was excellent.  Lorna McGowan brought a vivacious and glamorous Muzzy to life with a show stopping number “Long as I’m Here with You”.  Supporting the principal players in the show were a strong and assured ensemble who performed the many big musical numbers confidently .  In lovely musical theatre fashion everything turns out well in the end; Mrs Mears’ operation is uncovered, Muzzy unveils Jimmy and Miss Dorothy as her step children and all the love tangles unteased.  A huge well done to the production team and the entire crew producing this lively and well imagined show.

Thanks to Craig Inglis, Regional Representative, NODA District 4, for providing this report.

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