West Side Story

This is a difficult show to sing with its Bernstein score presenting many challenges. Their youth section came up to the mark and blew the audience away. From the foreboding opening sequence with the rival Jets and Sharks, to the conflicts of territory, to the young love of Tony and Maria and the inevitable tragic conclusions, these youngsters delivered the dissonant score with confidence.  All the principals - and there were many - connected with the music and hit all the right notes with passion. Scott Glidden gave us a Tony who in growing awareness of the dangers of conflict was natural and naive. He sang and moved with confidence and ease. He was well matched with Megan Telford as Maria who with her amazingly pitched voice interpreted her role of hopeful young love to tragic grief-stricken lover so believably. Michael Harris as a bellicose Riff and Josh Ure  as an edgy Bernardo comfortably presented their characters as did Erin Traynor as the fiery, yet practical Anita. They were supported by the rest of the principals who caught the tension and rivalry of gang culture and female angst while Robyn Burns as a kind of onlooker as Anybody moved us with her Somewhere solo. With 46 youngsters on stage, space was at a premium yet with well thought out choreography it was used judiciously as they danced energetically. Their energy, enthusiasm and commitment to their roles were palpable: colour, hope, pathos, tragedy and humour were all there. They sang Maria, America, Only You and Tonight, I feel Pretty and Gee Officer Krupke expressing the variety of emotions and tempos. The set built by Livingston’s own team looked simple but was cleverly designed with the gate, skyscraper towering above, the store door and the sewer hole encompassing the different environments and contributing to the changing moods.  The staging for the shop and bedroom were well dressed and lighting did the rest. The role of production officials in directing this talented cast cannot be discounted. Everyone should be proud of their achievements in staging such an entertaining show.                                                                                                                                              

Principals- all worthy of note- were: David Mack, Cameron Robertson, Scott Legerwood, Joseph Gall Nicholas Brown, Robbie Fullerton, James Bradley, Josh Enever, Sam Jones, Blake Owen, Andrew Killane, Katy Smith, Katie McCrum, Abbie Mason, Abbey Gordon, Erin Boyd, Aaron Gall, Ewan Ferguson.

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