Betty Blue Eyes
Leigh Operatic & Dramatic Society
Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea
3rd May to 6th May 2017
Leigh Operatic & Dramatic Society
Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea
3rd May to 6th May 2017
For those of you who may be wondering who or what on earth Betty Blue Eyes is all about, let me enlighten you; Betty is a pig. Yep, that’s right, a pig. Now you may wonder how a musical about a pig set during post-war Britain could possibly hold any interest to today’s modern day theatre-goers but wonder no more because Leigh Operatic & Dramatic Society invited Southend Theatre Scene to one of their recent rehearsals, where we were treated to a sneak peak of not only a full run of the show but also the chance of meeting Miss Blue Eyes herself!
Getting a glimpse of Betty is no easy feat as the LODS folk are behaving in an extremely covert manner of late and are under strict instructions to keep the star of the show well and truly under cover until show week. Admittedly, they’ve only had her for a week or so and Sara Hickling, who is in charge of handling Betty, has been looking after her at her Leigh home which, director Sallie Warrington, tells me, has given them an ideal opportunity to bond. Indeed, as Sara enters cradling Betty in her arms, she informs me that she’s been chatting to her in the car all the way to rehearsal and talks to her all the time at home. Taking the opportunity to give Betty a little stroke, I have to admit that she is absolutely adorable; with the hugest blue eyes I think I’ve ever seen!
Betty is not the only new face in the LODS company; she will be sharing top billing with newcomers, Michael James and Joanne Halliday who play the roles of Gilbert and Joyce. Both performers have previously worked professionally and are thrilled to be part of this exciting production.
Getting a glimpse of Betty is no easy feat as the LODS folk are behaving in an extremely covert manner of late and are under strict instructions to keep the star of the show well and truly under cover until show week. Admittedly, they’ve only had her for a week or so and Sara Hickling, who is in charge of handling Betty, has been looking after her at her Leigh home which, director Sallie Warrington, tells me, has given them an ideal opportunity to bond. Indeed, as Sara enters cradling Betty in her arms, she informs me that she’s been chatting to her in the car all the way to rehearsal and talks to her all the time at home. Taking the opportunity to give Betty a little stroke, I have to admit that she is absolutely adorable; with the hugest blue eyes I think I’ve ever seen!
Betty is not the only new face in the LODS company; she will be sharing top billing with newcomers, Michael James and Joanne Halliday who play the roles of Gilbert and Joyce. Both performers have previously worked professionally and are thrilled to be part of this exciting production.
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Michael, 35, studied at Masters before going on to work professionally and some may recognise him from his work with CBBC’s Andy Day in which they toured with Andy and Mike’s Big Bag of Bananas and Andy and Mike’s Tick Tock Time Machine. He also appeared in over 15 pantos as well as doing numerous commercials and voice-over work. He now works in IT and is dad to 3 year old Mark and 1 year old Freddie but the lure of the greasepaint was obviously too much to resist as Michael informs me, “I’d seen quite a few of the more recent LODS shows and I knew a few people in the company. I would have loved to have been in Spamalot.” After auditioning and winning the role of chiropodist, Gilbert, in the production, Michael couldn’t be happier.
“I’m loving this part,” he smiles, “although it is pretty scary just having a few hours a week to rehearse and then coming back the next week having to remember where we left off! It’s been such a laugh though - in fact it’s hard not to corpse, especially when Simon Sharpe, who plays Dr Swaby, is on stage with me!” |
Michael and Joanne in rehearsal
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Joanne & Michael with some of the cast
Joanne, 35, has previously performed in the touring production of Blood Brothers and was also part of the cast when it closed in the West End. She has also performed in America, Germany and the UK with the Rat Pack Live. These days, however, she has her hands full at home in Leigh with her 2 year old son, Ethan but her love of singing and performing led her to audition for Betty Blue Eyes.
“LODS are such an amazing company,” she tells me, “and they’ve welcomed me with open arms.” “This is such a brilliant show and people won’t realise, but there is so much comedy in it. I think there’s something for everybody.”
Twenty six years ago Alan Bennett and Malcolm Mowbray wove this story into an hilariously funny but sharply observed comic film called A Private Function, which centred around Betty, who is being illegally reared to ensure the local dignitaries can celebrate the Royal Wedding with a lavish banquet while the local population make do with Spam. Gilbert is an evangelistic chiropodist, and Joyce, his wife, is a nobody determined to be somebody. LODS regular, Helen Sharpe, plays Joyce’s mum, Mother Dear, threatening to steal the show in a hugely comical role.
The show is set in 1947, and having won the war Britain seems to have lost the peace, and the country is staggering under the burden of acute rationing, unemployment and the coldest winter for decades. The only bright spark on the horizon is the impending marriage of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. However, belts are being tightened and the country’s long-suffering citizens are being told by the government that there will be fair shares for all in return for surviving Austerity Britain. Meanwhile local officials feather their own nests by taking far more than their own fair share.
The show is set in 1947, and having won the war Britain seems to have lost the peace, and the country is staggering under the burden of acute rationing, unemployment and the coldest winter for decades. The only bright spark on the horizon is the impending marriage of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. However, belts are being tightened and the country’s long-suffering citizens are being told by the government that there will be fair shares for all in return for surviving Austerity Britain. Meanwhile local officials feather their own nests by taking far more than their own fair share.
Director, Sallie Warrington, tells me that she has really enjoyed bringing this show to fruition and she is especially full of praise for Paul Ward and his brother, George, together with Sam Blyth who have put together the set she designed specifically for this production.
She says, “I’ve actually enjoyed doing this show more than any other. I didn’t realise what a charming show it was. It’s such a funny, lovely production.” Another bonus for Sallie, was that she’s only had to choreograph one number which has given her more time to focus on directing her cast.
Having watched the run through, I can report that there certainly are laughs a-plenty along with some great, catchy songs, sung with beautiful harmonies - something we have come to expect with the familiar faces of Stuart Woolner and Rachael Plunkett in charge of musical direction.
She says, “I’ve actually enjoyed doing this show more than any other. I didn’t realise what a charming show it was. It’s such a funny, lovely production.” Another bonus for Sallie, was that she’s only had to choreograph one number which has given her more time to focus on directing her cast.
Having watched the run through, I can report that there certainly are laughs a-plenty along with some great, catchy songs, sung with beautiful harmonies - something we have come to expect with the familiar faces of Stuart Woolner and Rachael Plunkett in charge of musical direction.
As for Betty - well, naturally she put in a great performance during rehearsal but if you want to see this little piggy for yourself, don’t be like that little piggy who stayed at home - grab a ticket and get yourself to the Palace Theatre. First night is Wednesday 3rd May and runs to Saturday 6th May with matinees on Thursday and Saturday.
For tickets go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
For tickets go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
Below: The Betty Blue Eyes cast in rehearsal