Thoroughly Modern Millie

The stars of this production were the ones you didn’t see! CUDOS Stage Manager and team had a mammoth task. Their brief was to produce a New York street a typing pool and vertiginous 20th floor window ledge! These were successfully achieved and with swift scene changes they kept the show moving. The company made a lively entrance bursting onto the stage getting the show of to a flying start! Millie’s (Hattie Eason) entrance was a little tentative, but as the show progressed her confidence grew, excellent delivery and clear diction. Miss Dorothy (Charlotte Harris) was frothy, ditsy and innocent. Both girls had nailed their characters and complemented one another. Jimmy (Nick Harris) like Millie grew in confidence as the show progressed and their scene together on the window ledge was pure genius. Mrs Meers (Ann Brolly) the evil faux Chinese Landlady  with her two innocent side kicks Ching Ho(Richard Walters) and Bun Foo(Ross Dash) were an interesting combination.

At times some of the principals struggled with dialogue and it became a little inaudible, notably when the pitch got higher! Lisa Gage challenged the company with some innovative choreography creating some quite tricky sequences of movement and dance, perhaps a few less dancers would have displayed the shapes and patterns of choreography better? Highlights were ‘Forget about the Boy’ and  ‘Gimme Gimme’. Chorus singing was strong. Costumes had been well thought out and complemented the production.

Overall the company of mixed ability and age worked well together. There were many highs and lows throughout this production. But overall more highs!

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