A TALENTED Norbury Players cast brought one of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s finest productions to the stage in its 80th anniversary year.
The action takes place just after the turn of the 20th century and centres on Curly, a charming cowboy, and Laurey, a feisty farm girl, who play out their love story.
Their romantic journey, as bumpy as a ride down a country road, contrasts with the comic exploits of brazen Ado Annie and hapless Will Parker in a musical adventure embracing hope, determination and the promise of a new land.
At almost three hours, this was a long musical and the way the audience’s attention was held from start to finish was testament to every member of the company. From the ensemble, via the actors, to the orchestra, which was faultless throughout, everyone played their part.
There were too many stand-out performers to mention them all.
Abii Ward was solid as Gertie Cummings and, likewise, Adrian Over was great as Ado Annie’s dad Andrew Carnes, particularly in the humorous scene when he threatens his daughter’s potential, but unwilling, suitor with a shotgun.
That groom-to-be – pedlar Ali Hakim – was well-played by Alex Stallard who got plenty of laughs as he tried at all costs to avoid marriage.
Tom Dalton was wonderful as Will who, no matter how hard he tried, could not seem to get things right.
Christopher Newbould handled the difficult role of ‘crazy’ Jud Fry brilliantly, encompassing every emotion of this angry character. You could hear a pin drop during his rendition of the tense ‘Lonely Room’ and, at the other end of the scale, he drew some humour from the bizarre ‘Pore Jud is Dead’ where Curly implies he should top himself.
Lisa Jones was central to the whole piece as feisty, flamboyant and formidable Aunt Eller and made the role look easy. She showed her character’s caring side well, along with the bossiness.
Hayley Glass was a delight to watch as dippy Ado Annie. Her ‘I Can’t Say No’ was absolutely hilarious and arguably the musical highlight of the whole show. She raised at least a smile, as well as many laugh out loud moments, every time she entered the fray.
And Paul Steele and Amanda Blockley were excellent as the hero and heroine Curly and Laurey. The audience took both of them to their hearts and you just willed them to get together. Their duets were also second to none with perfect harmonies, body language and on-stage chemistry – from their ‘playing hard to get’ and wooing scenes to the moments when they found each other.
This, on the whole, is a feelgood show with vibrant and colourful songs and costumes but the dark moments in between are very dark – again testament to the cast’s portrayal.
Well done to director Jimmy Hill and his team for assembling this large cast and putting on such a fantastic production.
This show is not to be missed and – definitely worth a trip across the Atlantic and back in time whilst not leaving Droitwich Spa.
The remaining performances take place at 7.30pm tonight (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday). There is also a matinee at 2.30pm tomorrow.
Tickets are available at norburytheatre.co.uk/or by calling 01905 770154.
