Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Southend Operatic & Dramatic Society
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
29th March - 1st April 2017
Southend Operatic & Dramatic Society
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
29th March - 1st April 2017
Having seen the touring version of this production a couple of years ago at the Cliffs Pavilion, I was more than pleasantly surprised to learn that Southend Operatic & Dramatic Society had nabbed the rights to perform it; not just because it is one of the funniest shows I've ever seen but also because of the fact that taking on this production is proof that SODS are no longer afraid of taking a risk.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels ran for just a year in the West End and is based on the hugely popular 1988 film of the same name starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin as Lawrence Jameson and Freddy Benson. With the success of SODS last show, the more contemporary Rock of Ages, it's great to see the company taking on a production that will, I'm sure, draw them in a wider audience.
Smooth-talking con man Lawrence, played by Scott Roche, is in cahoots with the chief of police, Andre Thibault, played by Ian Scoging, and between them they are doing a nice job of playing all the rich millionaire heiress’s for every penny they can get, whilst living a life of luxury as a consequence, all within the decadent setting of the French Riviera. Throwing a spanner in the works is brash American con-artist, Freddy Benson (David Gillett), to try his luck and with the two swindlers’ paths crossing, they soon realise that there isn’t enough room in the town for the both of them. They make a bet - whoever can successfully con fifty grand out of soap queen Christine Colgate, (Heather Cooper), will stay on in the town, with the loser having to leave.
The show kicks off in style with fabulous choreography and costumes thanks to Cassie Eastall and Becki Wendes; and creates a great introduction in setting us up for what is a rather well polished show. The ensemble really get a chance to show off some lovely dance numbers and, of course, their wonderful vocals which I would go so far to say have never sounded better.
Composer, David Yazbek’s score is possibly one of the wittiest I’ve come across since The Producers and although the music isn’t instantly memorable, the lyrics certainly are. It's essential that the dialogue is delivered well as there are so many laughs to be had in this show and Scott Roche and David Gillett are a perfect pairing as Lawrence and Freddy delivering lines with expert timing. Scott's musical numbers also allow him to show off his fabulous vocals and he plays the vain Lawrence with great 'tongue in cheek' panache, as his 'click of a finger' perfect world is gradually broken down by the younger Freddy.
David Gillett plays Freddy with an unbridled enthusiasm that at first I thought would be irritating but which actually became delightfully endearing. “All About Ruprecht”, where Lawrence invents a disturbing brother for Freddy to play out, in order to scare off an over-keen 'girlfriend’ is very funny and "Love is my Legs" was another hilarious moment in the show. I was also really impressed with the way David controlled the wheelchair, in which he spends a substantial amount of time, around the Palace Theatre stage which has one of the biggest rakes in the country!
Heather Cooper plays Christine Colgate as a rather skittish American heiress and she can certainly belt out a tune in this fabulous role. Ian Scoging and Annette McGibbon as Andre, the corrupt copper and the wealthy Muriel team up well and Laura Gilbert as the slightly deranged cowgirl from Oklahoma truly pulls out all the stops in her exhausting 'Oklahoma' number!
A special nod, I feel, must go to Ewan Dunlop and Rob Maynard who both popped up in the show in various guises as part of the ensemble and whose enthusiasm for their roles really shone through.
A huge contribution to this particular production is down to the innovative technical wizardry of the lighting and LED skills of Drew Seal and Robert Watson, who have between them provided the backdrops that no physical set could really accomplish for a show of this stature within the Palace Theatre. It completely conveys the decadence needed for this production and looks absolutely outstanding, with backdrops literally flicking throughout the show from the French Riviera, a hotel lobby, a casino and even a train carriage.
Clare Penfold has worked wonders with the musicality of this production and the orchestra were sounding on top form under her musical direction.
This production looks like a great team effort and Ian Gilbert has clearly directed a happy and accomplished cast to achieve this great standard from Southend Operatic & Dramatic Society. The bar has now been raised for the company and I look forward to seeing their next production of Singin' in the Rain in November.
In the meantime, don't miss the opportunity to see Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Palace Theatre this week, it really is a delightfully daft piece of theatre that will be guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
For tickets go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels ran for just a year in the West End and is based on the hugely popular 1988 film of the same name starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin as Lawrence Jameson and Freddy Benson. With the success of SODS last show, the more contemporary Rock of Ages, it's great to see the company taking on a production that will, I'm sure, draw them in a wider audience.
Smooth-talking con man Lawrence, played by Scott Roche, is in cahoots with the chief of police, Andre Thibault, played by Ian Scoging, and between them they are doing a nice job of playing all the rich millionaire heiress’s for every penny they can get, whilst living a life of luxury as a consequence, all within the decadent setting of the French Riviera. Throwing a spanner in the works is brash American con-artist, Freddy Benson (David Gillett), to try his luck and with the two swindlers’ paths crossing, they soon realise that there isn’t enough room in the town for the both of them. They make a bet - whoever can successfully con fifty grand out of soap queen Christine Colgate, (Heather Cooper), will stay on in the town, with the loser having to leave.
The show kicks off in style with fabulous choreography and costumes thanks to Cassie Eastall and Becki Wendes; and creates a great introduction in setting us up for what is a rather well polished show. The ensemble really get a chance to show off some lovely dance numbers and, of course, their wonderful vocals which I would go so far to say have never sounded better.
Composer, David Yazbek’s score is possibly one of the wittiest I’ve come across since The Producers and although the music isn’t instantly memorable, the lyrics certainly are. It's essential that the dialogue is delivered well as there are so many laughs to be had in this show and Scott Roche and David Gillett are a perfect pairing as Lawrence and Freddy delivering lines with expert timing. Scott's musical numbers also allow him to show off his fabulous vocals and he plays the vain Lawrence with great 'tongue in cheek' panache, as his 'click of a finger' perfect world is gradually broken down by the younger Freddy.
David Gillett plays Freddy with an unbridled enthusiasm that at first I thought would be irritating but which actually became delightfully endearing. “All About Ruprecht”, where Lawrence invents a disturbing brother for Freddy to play out, in order to scare off an over-keen 'girlfriend’ is very funny and "Love is my Legs" was another hilarious moment in the show. I was also really impressed with the way David controlled the wheelchair, in which he spends a substantial amount of time, around the Palace Theatre stage which has one of the biggest rakes in the country!
Heather Cooper plays Christine Colgate as a rather skittish American heiress and she can certainly belt out a tune in this fabulous role. Ian Scoging and Annette McGibbon as Andre, the corrupt copper and the wealthy Muriel team up well and Laura Gilbert as the slightly deranged cowgirl from Oklahoma truly pulls out all the stops in her exhausting 'Oklahoma' number!
A special nod, I feel, must go to Ewan Dunlop and Rob Maynard who both popped up in the show in various guises as part of the ensemble and whose enthusiasm for their roles really shone through.
A huge contribution to this particular production is down to the innovative technical wizardry of the lighting and LED skills of Drew Seal and Robert Watson, who have between them provided the backdrops that no physical set could really accomplish for a show of this stature within the Palace Theatre. It completely conveys the decadence needed for this production and looks absolutely outstanding, with backdrops literally flicking throughout the show from the French Riviera, a hotel lobby, a casino and even a train carriage.
Clare Penfold has worked wonders with the musicality of this production and the orchestra were sounding on top form under her musical direction.
This production looks like a great team effort and Ian Gilbert has clearly directed a happy and accomplished cast to achieve this great standard from Southend Operatic & Dramatic Society. The bar has now been raised for the company and I look forward to seeing their next production of Singin' in the Rain in November.
In the meantime, don't miss the opportunity to see Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Palace Theatre this week, it really is a delightfully daft piece of theatre that will be guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
For tickets go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
Ask the Audience
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Barbara, Westcliff
"I've seen the show three times before and I thought it was really good. The settings were good and I thought the costumes looked nice." |
Lesley, Westcliff
"I thought all three main characters were good. It was very funny - I loved the dry sense of humour in the show. It was well timed." |
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Pauline, Westcliff "It was very good. Freddy was great and both the girls were very good. I know it's only the first night but I thought that some of the scene changes were a bit slow but apart from that, it was great!" |
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