Just So The Musical Review The Rattonians Youth Group Eastbourne Devonshire Park Theatre

THE RATTONIANS YOUTH GROUP PRESENTS JUST SO THE MUSICAL
DEVONSHIRE PARK THEATRE, EASTBOURNE
15th-18th APRIL 2009

Performance seen
Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

Just So is a musical by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe and is based on Rudyard Kipling's "Just So" stories for children.

The story essentially follows the Elephant Child (Jonathan Stevens) and the Kolokolo Bird (Meggie Dennis) as they travel through the jungle, discovering other species of animals along the way, to their eventual destination the Limpopo River.

Mark and Melanie Adams on this occasion have produced a colourful song and dance spectacular with superb costumes. Their Son Alex took up the narrator role (The Eldest Magician) whilst daughter Alicia was part of the main ensemble.

The Rattonians are always wonderful and I don't normally single anybody out but I'm going to make an exception this time round.

Catherine Anderson (Zebra) and Laura Sivers (Giraffe) are among the more senior of the Rattonians and are always completely professional. But what a particularly excellent comedy duo this combination made in this production. I think it gave these two a chance to show off more in terms of their super acting ability in addition to the flawless vocal performances they always deliver in the more traditional musicals. The rapport between these two worked so well perhaps they should consider becoming a female comedy double act?

Sticking with the seniors Ryan Funnell made a hilarious Parsee Man whilst Lucy Anderson got to ably demonstrate an impressive Aussie accent and performance as the Kangaroo.

But with a cast of over 90 everybody really deserves a mention for an excellent show but again I can't resist singling out 2 of the younger members this time.

Young Meggie Dennis was a revelation as the Kolokolo Bird. This is one of the most important roles in the show and for such a young member to put in such an outstanding performance is incredible. With an incredible voice and a faultless delivery of her script with great facial expressions I can see many a lead role for her in the future.

And whilst on great facial expressions I have to mention Mia Longman as Dingo Dog. Whilst Mia doesn't get to appear until the second part of the show she makes up for lost time playing an amazingly funny Dingo. Nice job Mia!

As I said though there are over 90 in the Rattonians Youth Group and whilst I have mentioned but a few they were all excellent!

I have to also praise Mark and Melanie Adams for their clever use of the "posh people boxes" at the sides of the stage. They made a good use of these both for ensemble dancing and an additional area for the narrator role.

So as usual everything with the Rattonians was perfect right?

Well no actually.

The cast was perfect............ The orchestra was perfect.

At least they were in their own right.

But put the combination of the two together and we had an orchestra who on many occasions were completely obliterating the singing of the talented cast on stage.

Now I have to admit we've previously only seen The Rattonians at the much larger Congress Theatre. In that theatre the orchestra are in a much larger pit. They are sunk further down from the stage and are more spread out.

In that theatre you can hear every lyric The Rattonians singing can be heard without problem, but this wasn't the case at The Devonshire Park Theatre.

The Devonshire also has an orchestra pit but it is so much smaller and the impressive orchestra did appear very crammed in. Sadly this immense musical power right in front of and so close to the cast meant that you were watching the on-stage actions but missing many a lyric and probably a lot of the comedy which this show depends on.

Granted we were directly in front of the orchestra and therefore closest to the stage. But hearing the singing has never been an issue before whether in the front row or elsewhere.

I got the general impression that if we were having this problem so close to the stage it could only be the same, or worse, further back.

However, it was first night, and perhaps other audience members noticed this sound issue? It may be that some sound adjustment was possible for the rest of the run?

Whilst this sound issue did take something away from the pleasure that would have been gained from this production I must stress that this was a technical issue and that this should take nothing away from the fine performance from The Rattonians Youth Group.

Next stop for The Rattonians is The Mel Brooks Comedy Musical The Producers in the summer at the Congress Theatre. We are already booked and I make no apology for nicking the following poster from The Rattonians website (I'm sure they'll forgive me)and adding the Congress Theatre's phone number so you can book up early to see these talented young people.

Billy Liar show review. Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne, Dicken Ashworth, Helen Fraser

BILLY LIAR , DEVONSHIRE PARK THEATRE, EASTBOURNE

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

CAST

(in appearance order)

Florence Boothroyd - Sally Saunders
Alice Fisher - Helen Fraser
Geoffrey Fisher - Dicken Ashworth
Billy Fisher - Nathan Hannon
Arthur Crabtree Adam Henderson Scott
Barbara - Lauren Drummond
Rita - Victoria Hawkins
Liz - Holly Quin-Ankrah

Back in 1963 Billy Liar was a popular movie of its time with Tom Courtenay and Julie Christie starring.

For those who don't know the story it essentially revolves around serial liar, womaniser and lazy so-and-so, Billy Fisher. We watch as his family despairs at his ever growing list of lies about his love life, his work, in fact just about every word he utters to anybody is a complete fabrication. Actress Helen Fraser and former Emmerdale star Dicken Ashworth play Billy's parents.

There aren't many plays which, these days, are divided into 3 acts with 2 intervals. Likewise there are few plays which last 2 and a half hours, including those breaks.

But in this case its definitely one act too many. There are few shows where I've felt the urge to check my watch in the final act but in this case I think I ended up doing it three times! The whole thing just seemed to drag on and on and on. I know my wife and myself weren't alone in feeling this either as we've since got exactly the same reaction from others who saw this show without even telling them our verdict.

Billy Liar is, as you would probably expect from the subject matter, a comedy. But whilst there are indeed many funny moments it wasn't enough to hold my attention throughout.

Others were clearly in agreement as the audience numbers reduced after the first interval and again after the second interval.

However, as I said, there are some funny moments in this drawn-out affair and star of the show has to be Lauren Drummond who plays Billy's most suffering girlfriend. As serial-orange-muncher Barbara not only does she have to deliver what is probably the funniest role of all but the poor girl has to devour 6 oranges (not Satsumas) each and every evening of this shows long tour. She did say that fortunately she likes oranges (probably a key factor in getting this role) but when you occasionally get a really sour one it is somewhat hard to deliver the lines without wincing.

There's nothing actually wrong with any of the acting in this play. It's the play itself which is the problem to me. Billy Liar just doesn't stand up against some of the more modern comedies and I think as the years go on audiences for this will dwindle further. Perhaps if it had been condensed into 2 acts I may have felt differently but this was one play that I was relieved when the curtain call finally came as I was getting rather bored.

To see Billy Liar again it would take a cast I desperately wanted to meet to get me sitting through the 3 acts and I'll remember to have some caffeine intake in the intervals.

In the meantime I reckon Billy Liar would work on stage in the 2000's but it needs a modernization and a total rewrite to make it funny in the 21st century. Now there's a scriptwriter's challenge.

Cabaret Show Review Wayne Sleep Samantha Barks Congress Theatre Eastbourne 2nd Dec 2008

CAST

Emcee - Wayne Sleep
Sally Bowles - Samantha Barks
Fraulein Schneider
Herr Schultz - Matt Zimmerman
Clifford Bradshaw - Henry Luxemburg
Ernst Ludwig - Karl Moffatt
Fraulein Kost - Suanne Braun
Fritzie - Danni Bowen
Hans (Young Nazi) - Theo Cook
Frenchie - Jessica Ellen
Rosie - Nouska Hanly
Helga - Lucy James
Bobby - Hendrick January
Rudy - Alastair Postlethwaite
Lulu - Rebecca Scarrott
Victor - Benjamin Timothy
Texas - Cydney Uffindell-Phillips
Hamburg Helmut - Tom Woods

First things first and it is quite clearly stated in the advertising for Cabaret (at least it is in Eastbourne) ..... this production contains male nudity. Actually, and not surprisingly given the picture Samantha Barks on posters everywhere, it contains female nudity too.

So the warning was there but still a few people walked out in disgust in the interval because it was "unsuitable for children" and they were so embarrassed they "didn't know where to look." Probably more a case of "I'm with my husband" and he "knew exactly where to look!"

As somebody, sitting next to us, pointed out any children that did end up watching this probably had much more idea of what was going on than their parents did at the same age. Having to explain to your kids why you have dragged them out is probably more awkward than just sitting out the rest of the show.

It may be harsh but I really think the advert of character Sally Bowles in a tight basque, stockings and suspenders might make your average parent realise that this isn't exactly Snow White. So my sympathy level is "0".

And just a bit more on the nudity. When it occurs in the show it is done in a beautiful artistic manner. It is not "in your face" and in the vast majority of cases you are only seeing male and female nudes from the rear..... with one exception.... shock horror.... one topless dancer walks across the stage (Rebecca Scarrott in this case). It really is no big deal and the nudity itself is limited to the ensemble not the main actors. Therefore unless your intent is solely to look for the nudity the main action is usually elsewhere on stage.

This version of Cabaret was specifically created for adults and sold as being unsuitable for under 12's. Seems fair enough to me.... you'd have seen more nudity on Eastbourne beach (although perhaps not on this exceptionally cold December day!)

Essentially the plot revolves around 2 couples. Raunchy club dancer, Sally Bowles, love affair with, the seemingly reserved, American writer Cliff Bradshaw... a love which always seems doomed to fail. Also the love of Jewish fruit seller Herr Shultz for brothel keeper Fraulein Schneider. With the Nazis persecution of the Jews you can guess that this relationship is going to be no bed of roses either.

It is really quite a dark and sinister story with a fine balance of solemn songs and lively Cabaret music.

The role of Emcee, who keeps the story flowing, could not have been more aptly cast to Wayne Sleep.

If his date of birth is correct on Wikipedia, as July 17th 1948, Wayne is a magnificent 60 years old at the time of writing this.

He can still move and entertain just as well as somebody 40 years his junior. He really is an incredible artist and can even put on a very convincing German accent.

Samantha Barks has only been known to British audiences for just over a year following the BBC's I'd Do Anything - Andrew Lloyd Webber's search for a West End Nancy.

Sam came third behind winner Jodie Prenger and runner-up Jessie Buckley.

I hate reality TV programmes really as I never trust the voting system and the best artists always seem to get kicked off first. Week after week Denise Van Outen would describe Jodie as "the typical Nancy".

The end result seemed to be a foregone conclusion. Jessie seemed to be popular with the judges too but her constant sobbing just got on my nerves.

I thought four candidates stood out. Young Sam being one, Sarah Lark, Rachel Tucker and Niamh Perry the others.

Each one of these girls will go on to big things but I don't think the role in Oliver was ever going to be one of them.

I did think it a bit ironic that Niamh is already rehearsing for the forthcoming pantomime,Snow White, just a few yards down the road at the Devonshire Park Theatre at the same time Sam is at the Congress in Cabaret. Sam told me they had already met up for a chat.

But what a contrast!

Niamh playing the the sweet, innocent and virginal Snow White, Samantha the buxom, scantily clad, showgirl Sally Bowles.

So back to Samantha in Cabaret. So she didn't win I'd Do Anything ...Never mind The West End's loss is a national tour audience's gain and Samantha's performance was as brilliant as I expected it to be.

You'd never know this is the first professional production she has appeared in. She has the looks, the incredible voice and the talent that will mean this is the start of a very long career on stage (and screen?).

And how she managed to keep herself in that incredible outfit, especially on the quicker dance routines,will remain a mystery only Sam knows the answer too!

The rest of the cast were equally as impressive. I particularly enjoyed watching and meeting Matt Zimmerman as Herr Shultz. He has a wide range of theatre and TV credits but is still probably best known as the voice of puppet character Alan Tracy in Thunderbirds.

And I just had to ask Lucy James, who superbly played the raunchy, stroppy, misery Helga if it was cold on stage as it was uncharacteristically chilly in the auditorium. She said it was "bloody freezing" and they were trying to get some form of heating for the rest of the week (this was opening night). She said that the first actor who had a nude role couldn't get off the stage quick enough to get his clothes back on!

We have never seen any performance of Cabaret before but what a great musical extravaganza this is with extremely fine, dramatic acting from a very talented cast.

An evening finished off beautifully by a very nice invitation from Wayne to join them in the pub. But sadly one we had to turn down as I don't think alcohol and a 15 mile drive home would be a good idea.

The Business Of Murder Todd Carty Devonshire Park Theatre Eastbourne Review 19 Aug 2008

CAST

Todd Carty - Hallett
Nick Waring - Stone
Jacqueline Roberts - Dee

For play writer and TV script editor Richard Harris The Business Of Murder is his longest-running play.

The Success of BOM is not surprising given the fact there are only 3 characters in this murder mystery

and yet those characters have the ability to keep you guessing to the very end.

The role of D.I. Hallett was

originally cast to former Coronation Street actor Stephen Beckett. Stephen, however, was already cast for another

murder mystery on tour - Murder with Love. The change was sudden so Stephen still appears in the theatre programme,

whilst some leaflets were hurridly printed featuring former Eastenders star Todd Carty.

It is a change that made no difference whatsoever to the quality of this intense thriller though. Todd is, of

course, no stranger to playing an officer of the law following his appearances in The Bill as PC Gabriel Kent.

The role itself was not new to Todd either as he had undertaken it earlier in the year. However, in February 2008, in

the same play at Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage, Todd collapsed on stage. Some reports say he was also violently sick.

Subsequent news reports said it was a suspected heart attack. Fortunately it wasn't. Todd actually had a middle-ear infection and had run out of medication.

That was great news for him and good news for us to see such a super performance from him in BOM. This particular character needs to show every type of emotion at some time in the play - everything from simple police curiosity to utter panic. Todd delivers the goods faultlessly and he also really looks the part - a sort of younger Columbo!

So that's Todd but there's two others in this.

Nick Waring plays the creepy and sly Stone. And believe me he does creepy well! Hope he's different in real life (fortunately he is) as if he behaved like this with friends and family I think they'd keep a wide berth! Nick's delivery of the script reminded me of old movies of the notarious Dr Crippin. Creepy, devious and downright odd at times.

Jacqueline Roberts plays Dee. Now this is where a very clever change in the original script came into play.

Jacqueline was walking (well hobbling) around the stage with the assistance of a crutch. We had thought this was
part of the play. But not so. She had actually had a very serious injury to the foot following an accident at home.

But she still wanted to go on with her part in the thriller. So some very clever changes were made to the script where, on many occasions the crutch became an important prop and highlighted the helplessness of Dee.

It worked so well perhaps Ian Dickens productions may want to leave the crutch in future tours? Although seriously injuring your cast member to make them need a crutch is not recommended.

Having met , the very friendly, Jacqueline twice now we were quite looking forward to seeing her advertised forthcoming role in Eastenders as Vinnie's love interest Daphne (Daphne! Come on does she really resemble a Daphne?!). However as glamorous as she was in her appearance, I hope you caught it, because it was a blink-and-you've missed it moment. Personally, I think this was a missed opportunity for Eastenders as she's a great actress, but having said that at least you can put Eastenders on your C.V. Jacqui - nobody will ever need to know it was 30 seconds long! Well you've done The Bill as well Jacqui so you really need to aim for Corrie next perhaps for something slighly more lengthy than buying Hello magazine in the Kabin or a hairdo by Audrey. Come on casting agent's she plays a great vamp - let her corrupt Kevin Webster or have Ashley for lunch or something!

This was a superbly acted murder mystery with good twists and turns and with a great cast. It was also good to meet all 3 friendly actors and I know Todd was still conversing with a fan at the stage door long after we had left.

Incidentally, Jacqueline made a good recovery from her severe foot injury - see my later review for Murder With Love.