Copacabana BLODS De La Warr Pavilion Bexhill on Sea

Copacabana
Bexhill Light Operatic and Dramatic Society (BLODS)
De La Warr Pavilion Bexhill on Sea 

29 Jun - 2nd July 2011

Show seen 29th

This was our first encounter with the BLODS. A production only brought to our attention as we had a friend in the band.

So how was this amateur presentation of Barry Manilow's flamboyant musical?

Actually it was a very good value and enjoyable show. About 1/3 the price of a professional musical but certainly not 1/3 of the quality.

Under the direction of Carl Greenwood the band were great. This was no great surprise as the band members are the same ones who usually support the Eastbourne Stagers and the (also Eastbourne based) Rattonians.

The costumes were impressive and the set basic, but functional. You can't expect more from an amateur presentation.

Acting wise, like most amateur groups, the BLODS clearly know where their strengths and weaknesses lie. Nice choreography, although some of the older gentlemen didn't look like natural dancers. A little 'wooden' in movement I suspect these may be a few of our mature singers rather than specialists in dance.

However, from an acting point of view everybody seemed to be in a role that suited them. Bernard Simon made a fine job of the very comical Sam Silver whilst Kate Dyer took well to the equally humorous  Gladys Murphy.

Joao Rei Villar was a believable rogue and hard man in the role of club Tropicana owner Rico Castelli.

However 3 of the cast really stood out in this show.

Lesley Van Egmond was the perfect choice for showgirl 'has been'  Conchita Alvarez. With a gutsy, feisty performance she was impressive and continued professionally when she somehow recovered her footing after nearly falling down the stairs on set.

The remaining 2 artists I have to say simply stole this production for me. Fortunately those are the lead roles. Charlie Legg as Stephen/Tony Forte and Hannah Bates as Samantha/Lola la Mar.

I don't know about an amateur production. I am sure both Charlie and Hannah could easily appear in a professional production and I'm sure few would notice any lack of experience or ability.

Confident, convincing actors and both vocally impressive I would be really surprised if these two didn't go on to appear in the West End in due course.

However, from my point of view this great amateur production was marred by the most clumsy, noisy set changes I have ever seen, anywhere, in any production, amateur or professional.

Set changes are normally practically seamless with the curtain being brought down whilst props are taken on and off peacefully. Often action takes place on the apron whilst this is being done.

But what a fiasco this was time and time again as the curtain remained up whilst the acting stopped. The voices of the stage hands could easily be heard giving directions, I've heard cast members talk quieter. Bangs and thumps as the larger props were brought on echoed round the auditorium. Props were often forgotten and as they were brought on again voices could be heard even though the stage scene had restarted. Microphones were forgotten to be switched off and "excuse me" requests could be heard in the wings as actors tried to get back on stage.

I understand that the band were positioned in the right wing (looking at the stage). I don't know if this was causing some of the awkwardness in set changes. But if it was I hope it's reconsidered for future productions.

Sadly such unnecessary disruption to what is meant to appear like an interruption free presentation has resulted in me removing a complete star from the enjoyment rating. I've never seen any other theatre or company handle set changes so badly and I hope this is a one-off experience.

However the BLODS themselves did impress us and whilst this was our first viewing of them it certainly won't be the last.

Barry Manilow’s COPACABANA by The Rattonians, Congress Theatre, Eastbourne, 23rd July 2008

Cast - See ***** below

If you are going to see a West End Show, even booking at the last minute, you can easily expect to pay around £37+ for the poorest theatre seat locations. Add on to that the cost of getting there, if outside London, and a couple could easily be forking out £100+ for one evening.

Why bother? If you want to see a West End quality show both in terms of singing, acting and costume quality just keep an eye on what The Rattonians are performing at Eastbourne's Theatres?

The Rattonians are a non-profit making amateur group established in Eastbourne in 1984. In that year ex-Ratton school pupils and their drama teacher, Mark Adams, put on their first show holding a 24 hour play reading to raise money to fund a show in Eastbourne's smallest theatre, the Tivoli.

The rest is history and The Rattonians now perform regularly at Eastbourne's major Theatres - The Congress and The Devonshire Park Theatre.

From what I have seen, since dicovering this outstanding company, is that they regularly put "more bums on seats" than many of the big name celebrity shows. In fact there is nothing amateur whatsoever about this amateur group.

Oh no I lie the Rattonians website is, as I am sure they would admit, a bit basic. However, I am sure that is the least of their worries with all effort going into productions, rehearsals etc. which is understandable. But boy I'd like to give it a total facelift given the chance!!!! (anybody from the Rattonians reading this please note!!!! I would be glad to help!)

Ticket prices? Well top price tickets this year were £14 for Copacabana and with any profit raised going to charity they had raised over £50,000 before this show. Last year (2007) Cancer Research benefited from £7000.

For several years now this amateur (I hate that word for these people) group have managed to put on more than one very professional performance during the year.

Last year, 2007, saw Sweet Charity, Fame and Fame Forever. We saw both Fame and Fame Forever - absolutely unbelievable - the cast work so very hard and it shows! These really are West End quality productions minus the big name celebrity with their mugshot on the posters. Believe me, no celebrities required here, every performer is a star.

Earlier this year The Rattonians performed Les Miserables at the Devonshire Park Theatre. I was unable to see that so I can't pass comment but from what I have heard it was as outstanding as always.

Then from 23rd July to 2nd August Copacabana was scheduled at the Congress Theatre. We did not hesitate to book and went on opening night.

What an outstanding spectacle of glittering costumes, great singing, dancing and fine acting! Barry Manilow would be so proud of the performers and production team.

As I said we were there on opening night and, as far as I could see, the only glitch was a table and chairs that stubbornly refused to fit through a gap in the stage wings.

***** Now at this point I would have loved to have mentioned a few of the cast.

That part I find a little awkward here as whilst I have all the cast names many of the cast members prefer to remain mainly anonymous on social networking sites. I'll therefore leave the wonders of this cast for you to discover when you go to see them.

This year (2008) The Rattonians are doing even more hard work than they usually do and we have an extra show

The following I have blatantly copied word for word from the Congress Theatre site. I make no apology for this as it is an honest description.

A Celebration of Musical Theatre and Christmas Music

Congress Theatre, Eastbourne
Sunday, 30 November 2008

"An evening of song and dance in true Rattonian style. The evening will consist of a selection of The Groups' favourite show numbers, celebrating their 24 years of producing musicals in Eastbourne.

Also included are fun Christmas songs including Winter Wonderland and the favourite White Christmas to get you into seasonal mood."

Performance Times:
7.00pm

Ticket Prices:
£12.00

To book the Rattonians Christmas show follow this link

Well there you have it. Just £12 for what will be a guaranteed great evening's entertainment and at the same time you are not lining somebody's pocket but helping a good cause.

If you live in easy reach of Eastbourne why not watch what this company can actually do and discover why they have become so well known in this area?

The Congress can seat 1689 people. Lets give the Rattonians a full house on Sunday, 30th November 2008!

Please note I am not connected with The Rattonians in anyway whatsoever and the link above is straight to the Congress Theatre. It should also be pointed out that it is a non-commission link. I am just glad to give them this plug as they all deserve it.