West Side Story

Darlington Operatic Society maintained their reputation with an excellent production, dominated by some superb dance routines and magnificent performers in the leading roles.
Joanne Hand did a really outstanding job with the synchronized dance routines which were really spot on, and proved what a very talented group of dancers they have. The two leading roles of Tony and Maria were played by Neil Harland  and Rhiannon Walker with great emotion and outstanding acting and singing. Karen Stone, with her excellent singing voice, played  Anita and ably complemented and contrasted as the feisty Puerto Rican - very well done.

Ben Connor played Riff as the leader of the Jets and Jason  Slater played Bernardo  the leader of the Sharks, with palpable animosity towards their alternative roles and the fight sequences between the two sets of gangs were superbly choreographed with excellent singing throughout.

Chino (as the killer of Tony) was well played by Christopher McCann; Doc, of the drugstore, was again well played by Doug Clayton, with Lt Schrank  played by Julian Cound with great world weariness in his dialogue and demeanour.

Nigel Ball, Musical Director,  controlled his large orchestra  really well but for me the star of the show was Joanne Hand with her excellent Choreography and Directing.

DOS have one more show at Yarm , with Strictly Musicals Two in the Autumn then next year they will be 'Home' again at the newly restored Hippodrome  in Darlington.

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