Oklahoma!
Players Theatre Company
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
3rd - 6th October 2018
Players Theatre Company
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
3rd - 6th October 2018
There’s a Bright Golden Haze at the Palace Theatre
As all thoughts of winter start to drift in, nothing could be better than spending an evening listening to songs and music that make you feel uplifted and happy. What’s more, makes you want to sing along and this production of Oklahoma! certainly does that.
From the moment the show opened on Broadway in 1943, it has never gone out of fashion. Its homely, melodic musical numbers and energetic dancing together with the 'hokey' hoe down has always been popular. It even took on a new life when Trevor Nunn’s production was a sell out at the National Theatre some years ago.
Set in a rural community at the turn of the 20th Century, the show is a reminder of simpler, happier times, where love and courtship is played out under the gaze of Aunt Ella, a lively performance by Jenny Hitchcock.
From the moment the show opened on Broadway in 1943, it has never gone out of fashion. Its homely, melodic musical numbers and energetic dancing together with the 'hokey' hoe down has always been popular. It even took on a new life when Trevor Nunn’s production was a sell out at the National Theatre some years ago.
Set in a rural community at the turn of the 20th Century, the show is a reminder of simpler, happier times, where love and courtship is played out under the gaze of Aunt Ella, a lively performance by Jenny Hitchcock.
The story is a familiar one, man loves girl, girl rebuffs him, then girl realises her mistake and they all live happily ever after. This musical though is slightly different as it combines the love songs with raucous, barn dancing numbers supported by a large chorus. This could have provided difficulties on the Palace Theatre stage with its severe rake and the closeness of the orchestra pit, but everyone avoided falling in.
It is a matter of history that the well-known Broadway producer of the time (Mike Todd) famously said "No gags, no gals, and no chance," about this show. He was obviously wrong. The Players Theatre Co., under the direction of Julie Robertson, has done the musical proud. The ensemble numbers, choreographed by David Street, work really well with a lively tap dancing number for the Kansas City song, with Will Parker (Josh Handley) demonstrating how to do a heel toe dance. Together with Ado Annie (Charlotte Cavedasca) the girl who ‘Caint say No,’ he duets on All or Nothing, and they provide scene stealing strong vocal comedy.
It is a matter of history that the well-known Broadway producer of the time (Mike Todd) famously said "No gags, no gals, and no chance," about this show. He was obviously wrong. The Players Theatre Co., under the direction of Julie Robertson, has done the musical proud. The ensemble numbers, choreographed by David Street, work really well with a lively tap dancing number for the Kansas City song, with Will Parker (Josh Handley) demonstrating how to do a heel toe dance. Together with Ado Annie (Charlotte Cavedasca) the girl who ‘Caint say No,’ he duets on All or Nothing, and they provide scene stealing strong vocal comedy.
All the cast did well with the American accents and song after familiar song followed with, People Will Say We’re in Love, Surrey with the Fringe on Top, Many a New Day, Oh What a Beautiful Mornin, and of course Oklahoma!
The musical depends on strong vocal ability, and in this production, it was all there. The lead part of Curley has to be someone with stage presence and a powerful voice and Sean Hynes has it in spades. He slips seamlessly from dialogue to song and back so that it seems the most natural thing in the world. Sean’s voice would carry any musical, professional or amateur. He was in good company with Claire Poth-Wright as his love interest, Laurey, whose voice was an operatic soprano.
There was also a nice performance by Ross Howard as the pedlar Ali Hakim, his accent was more Meerkat advert than Persian, but he made the character his own and was very funny.
The ensemble numbers were great fun and you could see everyone was enjoying themselves. There were mixed age groups of players and the mature ladies of the chorus were having a whale of a time, especially in the barn dancing The Farmer and the Cowman.
The musical depends on strong vocal ability, and in this production, it was all there. The lead part of Curley has to be someone with stage presence and a powerful voice and Sean Hynes has it in spades. He slips seamlessly from dialogue to song and back so that it seems the most natural thing in the world. Sean’s voice would carry any musical, professional or amateur. He was in good company with Claire Poth-Wright as his love interest, Laurey, whose voice was an operatic soprano.
There was also a nice performance by Ross Howard as the pedlar Ali Hakim, his accent was more Meerkat advert than Persian, but he made the character his own and was very funny.
The ensemble numbers were great fun and you could see everyone was enjoying themselves. There were mixed age groups of players and the mature ladies of the chorus were having a whale of a time, especially in the barn dancing The Farmer and the Cowman.
The first half ends with a Dream Sequence that is usually performed as a ballet; this was handled in a different way with some interesting choreography. I particularly liked the tarts in their stunning red and black outfits. A difference with this musical as written, is it has an extra scene after the happy ever after wedding. Here the villain of the piece the sullen Judd, (Jimmy Allan) meets his end, and then they all have a rousing sing along.
This is a bright, happy, feel good musical with a lot of energy and this production is one of the best I’ve seen.
Review: Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
The show begins Wednesday 3 October until Saturday 6th October at 7.30pm, matinee Saturday at 2.30pm
Stalls - £19.50 Adults / £18.00 Concessions
Dress Circle and Gallery - £18.00 Adults / £16.50 Concessions
Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.
www.southendtheatres.org.uk
This is a bright, happy, feel good musical with a lot of energy and this production is one of the best I’ve seen.
Review: Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
The show begins Wednesday 3 October until Saturday 6th October at 7.30pm, matinee Saturday at 2.30pm
Stalls - £19.50 Adults / £18.00 Concessions
Dress Circle and Gallery - £18.00 Adults / £16.50 Concessions
Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.
www.southendtheatres.org.uk
