REVIEW
Basildon Operatic Society present
Half a Sixpence
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
23rd - 26th May 2018
Basildon Operatic Society present
Half a Sixpence
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
23rd - 26th May 2018
BasOp have fabulously crash, bang, walloped themselves on to the stage at Westcliff's Palace Theatre and show that they are a force to reckoned with.
The story of an orphan who inherits a fortune, climbs the social ladder before losing everything and realising that even with money to burn, you just can't buy happiness was originally a novel written by HG Wells and made into a film in the sixties which made a star of cheeky cockney pop star, Tommy Steele. The stage version of the film enjoyed a resurgence in 2016, after being completely revamped and was a huge success when it transferred to the West End from Chichester with newcomer, Charlie Stemp, who played the leading role of Kipps, winning the WhatsOnStage award for Best Actor in a Musical.
BasOp are performing the original stage version of the musical which has all the great tunes that lovers of the film will recognise, the obvious one being the title song of Half a Sixpence, along with Money To Burn, If The Rain's Got To Fall and of course the barnstorming, Flash, Bang, Wallop.
Joshua Handley takes on the pivotal role of the endearing Arthur Kipps and you can instantly tell that this is a part that has just been waiting for him to come along. Joshua grabs this role by the horns and doesn't let go until the final curtain. He is a joy to watch and you can't help but be swept up in the character of Kipps. He not only has a great voice but he can act and dance too. Josh makes full use of his comedic talents in this role but also manages to tug at the emotional heartstrings during the What Should I Feel number. He is matched by a lovely performance from Ailish Murphy as Kipps' sweeheart, Ann, and their song, Long Ago, was sung beautifully. Charlotte Cavedasca as Helen Walsingham, the upper class girl that Kipps falls for, also creates a lovely character and got a chance to show off her gorgeous vocals in Be Determined.
There are some great supporting roles in this production which include, shopkeeper, Mr Shalford played by Rob Morley, the uppercrust, Mrs Walsingham and Young Walsingham, played by Angela Phillips and Nick Burdett. The role of the flamboyant playwright, Chitterlow, is played with extreme extravagance by Stuart Crawley who could have perhaps just taken it down to a slightly less manic level.
I loved the roles of the six shop workers, Buggins (Sean Hynes), Pearce (Chris Foale), Sid (Joe Drury), Kate (Hollyanne Hill), Flo (Jane Gillam) and Victoria (Lucy Green) who all had the opportunity to perform some fabulous song and dance numbers throughout the show.
This is the first time I've seen BasOp perform and to say I was impressed would be an understatement. This is a large company with ages ranging from 7 to 83, and no less than 44 of them are in the Half a Sixpence cast. This is no mean feat and director and choreographer, Victoria Purton, has done a remarkable job; every one of her performers is fully utilised and all play to their strengths.
A production with a score of 25 numbers is a huge challenge but Victoria has done fantastic work with the cast and there are some really lovely routines created in this production. Money to Burn, The Cricket Match, Finesse and Flash, Bang, Wallop (with every member of the cast on stage) in particular stood out for the clever and innovative choreography. MD Clare Penfold has also done a great job with the cast with some beautifully sung harmonies in this score; and she leads a fine sounding band.
However, this show really belongs to Josh Handley who sweeps you up with his enthusiastic portrayal of Arthur Kipps. In fact, somebody just might want to let Charlie Stemp know that he has a bit of competition!
In a show packed full of music, song, dance and lots of laughs you cannot fail but to leave the theatre with a big ol' smile on your face.
The story of an orphan who inherits a fortune, climbs the social ladder before losing everything and realising that even with money to burn, you just can't buy happiness was originally a novel written by HG Wells and made into a film in the sixties which made a star of cheeky cockney pop star, Tommy Steele. The stage version of the film enjoyed a resurgence in 2016, after being completely revamped and was a huge success when it transferred to the West End from Chichester with newcomer, Charlie Stemp, who played the leading role of Kipps, winning the WhatsOnStage award for Best Actor in a Musical.
BasOp are performing the original stage version of the musical which has all the great tunes that lovers of the film will recognise, the obvious one being the title song of Half a Sixpence, along with Money To Burn, If The Rain's Got To Fall and of course the barnstorming, Flash, Bang, Wallop.
Joshua Handley takes on the pivotal role of the endearing Arthur Kipps and you can instantly tell that this is a part that has just been waiting for him to come along. Joshua grabs this role by the horns and doesn't let go until the final curtain. He is a joy to watch and you can't help but be swept up in the character of Kipps. He not only has a great voice but he can act and dance too. Josh makes full use of his comedic talents in this role but also manages to tug at the emotional heartstrings during the What Should I Feel number. He is matched by a lovely performance from Ailish Murphy as Kipps' sweeheart, Ann, and their song, Long Ago, was sung beautifully. Charlotte Cavedasca as Helen Walsingham, the upper class girl that Kipps falls for, also creates a lovely character and got a chance to show off her gorgeous vocals in Be Determined.
There are some great supporting roles in this production which include, shopkeeper, Mr Shalford played by Rob Morley, the uppercrust, Mrs Walsingham and Young Walsingham, played by Angela Phillips and Nick Burdett. The role of the flamboyant playwright, Chitterlow, is played with extreme extravagance by Stuart Crawley who could have perhaps just taken it down to a slightly less manic level.
I loved the roles of the six shop workers, Buggins (Sean Hynes), Pearce (Chris Foale), Sid (Joe Drury), Kate (Hollyanne Hill), Flo (Jane Gillam) and Victoria (Lucy Green) who all had the opportunity to perform some fabulous song and dance numbers throughout the show.
This is the first time I've seen BasOp perform and to say I was impressed would be an understatement. This is a large company with ages ranging from 7 to 83, and no less than 44 of them are in the Half a Sixpence cast. This is no mean feat and director and choreographer, Victoria Purton, has done a remarkable job; every one of her performers is fully utilised and all play to their strengths.
A production with a score of 25 numbers is a huge challenge but Victoria has done fantastic work with the cast and there are some really lovely routines created in this production. Money to Burn, The Cricket Match, Finesse and Flash, Bang, Wallop (with every member of the cast on stage) in particular stood out for the clever and innovative choreography. MD Clare Penfold has also done a great job with the cast with some beautifully sung harmonies in this score; and she leads a fine sounding band.
However, this show really belongs to Josh Handley who sweeps you up with his enthusiastic portrayal of Arthur Kipps. In fact, somebody just might want to let Charlie Stemp know that he has a bit of competition!
In a show packed full of music, song, dance and lots of laughs you cannot fail but to leave the theatre with a big ol' smile on your face.
Josh on the poster for the show!
The show runs until this Saturday 26th May. Tickets available from the box office.
You can buy tickets for Half A Sixpence online at www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
We chat to director/choreographer, Vikki Purton and leading man, Josh Handley - click here to find out more!
You can buy tickets for Half A Sixpence online at www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
We chat to director/choreographer, Vikki Purton and leading man, Josh Handley - click here to find out more!