Betty Blue Eyes
Leigh Operatic & Dramatic Society
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
3rd - 6th May 2016
Leigh Operatic & Dramatic Society
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
3rd - 6th May 2016
There were, I expect, a few concerns about LODS performing Betty Blue Eyes as their next production. I think it's fair to say that it's not a musical which is instantly recognisable to most; and a musical about a pig does seem rather obscure. However, having now seen the show I have to confess that this was a perfect choice for Leigh Operatic & Dramatic Society, who can now boast 100 years of award winning theatre.
The Company were formed in 1915 and continued to perform throughout the First and Second World Wars and have never been afraid to take a risk with their productions. I believe a little bit of that war spirit still continues with the company now.
The show is based on the Alan Bennett screenplay, A Private Function and is set in 1947 when Britain was suffering major post war austerity and stringent food rationing. The people's spirits are bolstered by the news that Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip are to be married and the Town Councilman Dr Swaby arranges a private dinner part for 150 important locals whilst secretly fattening up a pig (Betty) for the occasion with his cohorts, Lockwood, Allardyce and Sutcliffe. Local chiropodist, the hen-pecked, Gilbert and his pushy wife, Joyce, however, are not invited - much to Joyce's social climbing horror.
LODs have designed and created their own set for this production which perfectly sets the scene for the northern post war village of Shepardsford and the opening number Goodbye Austerity Britain with the women of the town queuing up outside the butchers in an attempt to buy the best cut of meat despite the 'fair shares for all' rationing.
The Company were formed in 1915 and continued to perform throughout the First and Second World Wars and have never been afraid to take a risk with their productions. I believe a little bit of that war spirit still continues with the company now.
The show is based on the Alan Bennett screenplay, A Private Function and is set in 1947 when Britain was suffering major post war austerity and stringent food rationing. The people's spirits are bolstered by the news that Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip are to be married and the Town Councilman Dr Swaby arranges a private dinner part for 150 important locals whilst secretly fattening up a pig (Betty) for the occasion with his cohorts, Lockwood, Allardyce and Sutcliffe. Local chiropodist, the hen-pecked, Gilbert and his pushy wife, Joyce, however, are not invited - much to Joyce's social climbing horror.
LODs have designed and created their own set for this production which perfectly sets the scene for the northern post war village of Shepardsford and the opening number Goodbye Austerity Britain with the women of the town queuing up outside the butchers in an attempt to buy the best cut of meat despite the 'fair shares for all' rationing.
Gilbert and Joyce are played by Michael James and Joanne Halliday. Michael is instantly endearing in his number A Place on The Parade where he is longing to have his own little shop alongside the likes of Dr Swaby. Joanne plays his wife, Joyce, with an enormous amount of energy and really comes into her own in Nobody, which is a fabulous number. Both Michael and Joanne have performed professionally in the past and it is abundantly clear that the stage is a place where they are both in their comfort zones.
The wonderful thing about Alan Bennett, is that the characters he writes can be infinitely more interesting that the actual storyline and Betty Blue Eyes is no exception. Writers Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman obviously took the lead from Bennett with the characters created for this production. In particular there are some great characterisations with Dr Swaby played by Simon Sharpe as well as the over zealous Inspector Wormold played by Drew Seal together with some nice little cameo roles from Sam Blyth as Mr Sutcliffe, Zoe Berry as Mrs Allardyce and Rebecca Wallace as Veronica Allardyce.
However, Andy Stone and Helen Sharpe as Henry Allardyce and Mother Dear almost stole the show, for me, with their hilarious characterisations and could probably get a commission to start their own comedy show on the strength of their portrayals of the pig loving accountant and the slightly demented elderly mother of Joyce (think - a young Arkwright and a tamer northern version of Catherine Tate's nan!).
The wonderful thing about Alan Bennett, is that the characters he writes can be infinitely more interesting that the actual storyline and Betty Blue Eyes is no exception. Writers Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman obviously took the lead from Bennett with the characters created for this production. In particular there are some great characterisations with Dr Swaby played by Simon Sharpe as well as the over zealous Inspector Wormold played by Drew Seal together with some nice little cameo roles from Sam Blyth as Mr Sutcliffe, Zoe Berry as Mrs Allardyce and Rebecca Wallace as Veronica Allardyce.
However, Andy Stone and Helen Sharpe as Henry Allardyce and Mother Dear almost stole the show, for me, with their hilarious characterisations and could probably get a commission to start their own comedy show on the strength of their portrayals of the pig loving accountant and the slightly demented elderly mother of Joyce (think - a young Arkwright and a tamer northern version of Catherine Tate's nan!).
A special mention must go to Sara Hickling, who not only looks super cute in her farmhand costume, but who handles Betty the pig brilliantly, completely bringing her to life.
This show doesn't really have an instantly recognisable or memorable score but there are a few numbers which stood out for me - Magic Fingers is an incredibly touching number, sung with some beautiful harmonies from Laura Hurrell, Gemma Lloyd and Rosie Munns as the women who rely on the caring Gilbert not only for their treatment but for his company, which really pulls on the heartstrings. I also enjoyed Lionheart where Joyce reminisces about the moment she met Gilbert at the Primrose Ballroom which has some nice choreography from the ensemble and again, some lovely vocal harmonies from the Andrews Sisters type trio, Natalie McMillan, Charli Doe and Eva Tobin. Pig No Pig with Joanne Halliday, Michael James and Helen Sharpe was also a great number full of humour and energy, which left me completely exhausted just watching it. Private Function with Simon Sharpe, Peter Brown, Andy Stone and Sam Blyth also went down well with the first night audience.
This show doesn't really have an instantly recognisable or memorable score but there are a few numbers which stood out for me - Magic Fingers is an incredibly touching number, sung with some beautiful harmonies from Laura Hurrell, Gemma Lloyd and Rosie Munns as the women who rely on the caring Gilbert not only for their treatment but for his company, which really pulls on the heartstrings. I also enjoyed Lionheart where Joyce reminisces about the moment she met Gilbert at the Primrose Ballroom which has some nice choreography from the ensemble and again, some lovely vocal harmonies from the Andrews Sisters type trio, Natalie McMillan, Charli Doe and Eva Tobin. Pig No Pig with Joanne Halliday, Michael James and Helen Sharpe was also a great number full of humour and energy, which left me completely exhausted just watching it. Private Function with Simon Sharpe, Peter Brown, Andy Stone and Sam Blyth also went down well with the first night audience.
Rachael Plunkett has once again worked her magic with the cast of this show, who really get a chance to show off their vocal skills, aided by Stuart Woolner wielding the baton in the orchestra pit.
Director and Choreograher, Sallie Warrington, has done a fabulous job of breathing life into a production which in less experienced hands could easily be the type of show that just plods along but with some lovely comedic characterisations, fabulous hair and costumes and enough stand out numbers to raise the feel-good factor, this show is definitely not one to be missed.
For tickets go to www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
Director and Choreograher, Sallie Warrington, has done a fabulous job of breathing life into a production which in less experienced hands could easily be the type of show that just plods along but with some lovely comedic characterisations, fabulous hair and costumes and enough stand out numbers to raise the feel-good factor, this show is definitely not one to be missed.
For tickets go to www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
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Margaret Gilbert, Eastwood
"This is the first time that I've seen a LODS show and I thought it was wonderful. I didn't realise that Betty Blue Eyes was in the West End and I thought the cast were excellent and very talented, especially the leading lady and man. The storyline was lovely and the music and choreography was good. I really enjoyed watching and listening to the ensemble pieces. I will definitely be looking out for LODS' next production to come and see and I would recommend this show to my friends." |
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Cathy Smart, Rayleigh
"When I saw the flyer for the show, I wasn't sure what it was all about but when I read all about it, I thought it sounded good. I'm really glad I came. I thought all the cast were good but the leading lady was excellent." |
Betty Blue Eyes Photo Credits: GP Photography