West Side Story

This is a difficult show to present and it is a tribute to the continuing strength of the company that this year’s performance was the second time it has been staged by the company, the previous occasion being in 1992. However, the producer Ruth Kelly was in that production and in this her seventh year as producer for Loudoun, she had the experience and stamina to undertake the necessary work and effort. Musical Director Darren Ramsay also had his work cut out in the pit with an extremely complex score. The story concerns two rival gangs of teenagers in New York known as The Jets and The Sharks, their rivalry and their closing of the ranks against the enforcers of the law and the tragedy that brings about. Riff (Kevin Kelly) leader of The Jets is worried about the threat from The Sharks led by Bernardo (Alister Neil). A challenge is issued and the gangs agree to fight with knives as the chosen weapons. The story is further complicated as Maria (Laura Hynds), one of the Sharks is in love with Tony (John McGill), one of the Jets. The fight ensues and the bodies of Riff and Bernardo are all that remain when the police arrive. The boys and girls of The Jets and The Sharks are too numerous to name but all were well cast and convincing in their roles. John Goodwin took the part of Doc, the owner of the local drug store and Willie Smith and Martin McCutcheon were cast as Lieutenant Schrank and Officer Krupke. The show has a lot of dancing and energetic movement which is the province of younger companies and while the theme of this story of the fifties and sixties may not be to everyone’s taste, the score has some great music including the classic “I Feel Pretty”. In summary, this show was a bold choice which paid off.

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