....................Little Voice.
Sun, 10 June 2001, 05:23 pmWalter Plinge11 posts in thread
....................Little Voice.
Sun, 10 June 2001, 05:23 pmPlaylovers is on a roll! Following up the much-acclaimed "Oedipus" comes the soon-to-be much-acclaimed "The Rise and Fall of Little Voice".
The first (and according to some, the most important) task of a Director is to cast well. David Gardette (or should I say the soon-to-be much-missed David Gardette) has cast brilliantly. Finding someone to carry off the role Little Voice was never going to be easy but Sonni Byrne carries the role with aplomb. Boy can this lady sing! And to top it off, she acts her way into peoples hearts with an excellent portrayal of the shy and retiring LV.
But the brilliant casting didn't stop there. To give the role of the sleazy and manipulative Ray Say to Peter Fry was asking the actor to go totally against his own character - although I must say he took to it like a duck to water. I'm still not convinced it was in fact Peter. Looked more like his younger brother! Very good advertisement for razor blades and hair dye if it was Peter.
And speaking of casting against character, the ability to play the drunken, air-headed, over-bearing slut of a mother so convincingly by Sue Darge is an indicator as to this lady's great talent (or an indicator to a past she keeps well hidden). Actors of Sue's class should be seen far more often. If only we could get her husband to stop impregnating her we may achieve this.
Each of the smaller roles were also handled very well. Pat Golding made the ultimate sacrifice of gaining 30 kilos for the role and I must say she looks well for it! Cory Jones is a trouper! Every time I see him he carries his role impressively. David Young looked like he'd been in overalls all his life and knew a thing or two about manual labour! But you wouldn't expect anything but a great portrayal by David. And last but not least, Ray Condy as Mr Boo looked and acted like you would expect a small-scale promoter to do.
But David's good work didn't stop with casting. The play was moved well, the set was excellent and imaginative and the technical side of things was well handled.
It's always a good night when a production can take you through almost every emotion you are capable of feeling. This play does just that. At times you laugh your head off (not a good look) and at others you are greatly saddened. It lifts your spirits on occassions and also angers you at others. This must always be a credit to the script, the Director and the Actors.
Get along to see this production. You will have a great night.
Dean (soon-to-be much-criticized) Schulze
The first (and according to some, the most important) task of a Director is to cast well. David Gardette (or should I say the soon-to-be much-missed David Gardette) has cast brilliantly. Finding someone to carry off the role Little Voice was never going to be easy but Sonni Byrne carries the role with aplomb. Boy can this lady sing! And to top it off, she acts her way into peoples hearts with an excellent portrayal of the shy and retiring LV.
But the brilliant casting didn't stop there. To give the role of the sleazy and manipulative Ray Say to Peter Fry was asking the actor to go totally against his own character - although I must say he took to it like a duck to water. I'm still not convinced it was in fact Peter. Looked more like his younger brother! Very good advertisement for razor blades and hair dye if it was Peter.
And speaking of casting against character, the ability to play the drunken, air-headed, over-bearing slut of a mother so convincingly by Sue Darge is an indicator as to this lady's great talent (or an indicator to a past she keeps well hidden). Actors of Sue's class should be seen far more often. If only we could get her husband to stop impregnating her we may achieve this.
Each of the smaller roles were also handled very well. Pat Golding made the ultimate sacrifice of gaining 30 kilos for the role and I must say she looks well for it! Cory Jones is a trouper! Every time I see him he carries his role impressively. David Young looked like he'd been in overalls all his life and knew a thing or two about manual labour! But you wouldn't expect anything but a great portrayal by David. And last but not least, Ray Condy as Mr Boo looked and acted like you would expect a small-scale promoter to do.
But David's good work didn't stop with casting. The play was moved well, the set was excellent and imaginative and the technical side of things was well handled.
It's always a good night when a production can take you through almost every emotion you are capable of feeling. This play does just that. At times you laugh your head off (not a good look) and at others you are greatly saddened. It lifts your spirits on occassions and also angers you at others. This must always be a credit to the script, the Director and the Actors.
Get along to see this production. You will have a great night.
Dean (soon-to-be much-criticized) Schulze
Walter PlingeSun, 10 June 2001, 05:23 pm
Playlovers is on a roll! Following up the much-acclaimed "Oedipus" comes the soon-to-be much-acclaimed "The Rise and Fall of Little Voice".
The first (and according to some, the most important) task of a Director is to cast well. David Gardette (or should I say the soon-to-be much-missed David Gardette) has cast brilliantly. Finding someone to carry off the role Little Voice was never going to be easy but Sonni Byrne carries the role with aplomb. Boy can this lady sing! And to top it off, she acts her way into peoples hearts with an excellent portrayal of the shy and retiring LV.
But the brilliant casting didn't stop there. To give the role of the sleazy and manipulative Ray Say to Peter Fry was asking the actor to go totally against his own character - although I must say he took to it like a duck to water. I'm still not convinced it was in fact Peter. Looked more like his younger brother! Very good advertisement for razor blades and hair dye if it was Peter.
And speaking of casting against character, the ability to play the drunken, air-headed, over-bearing slut of a mother so convincingly by Sue Darge is an indicator as to this lady's great talent (or an indicator to a past she keeps well hidden). Actors of Sue's class should be seen far more often. If only we could get her husband to stop impregnating her we may achieve this.
Each of the smaller roles were also handled very well. Pat Golding made the ultimate sacrifice of gaining 30 kilos for the role and I must say she looks well for it! Cory Jones is a trouper! Every time I see him he carries his role impressively. David Young looked like he'd been in overalls all his life and knew a thing or two about manual labour! But you wouldn't expect anything but a great portrayal by David. And last but not least, Ray Condy as Mr Boo looked and acted like you would expect a small-scale promoter to do.
But David's good work didn't stop with casting. The play was moved well, the set was excellent and imaginative and the technical side of things was well handled.
It's always a good night when a production can take you through almost every emotion you are capable of feeling. This play does just that. At times you laugh your head off (not a good look) and at others you are greatly saddened. It lifts your spirits on occassions and also angers you at others. This must always be a credit to the script, the Director and the Actors.
Get along to see this production. You will have a great night.
Dean (soon-to-be much-criticized) Schulze
The first (and according to some, the most important) task of a Director is to cast well. David Gardette (or should I say the soon-to-be much-missed David Gardette) has cast brilliantly. Finding someone to carry off the role Little Voice was never going to be easy but Sonni Byrne carries the role with aplomb. Boy can this lady sing! And to top it off, she acts her way into peoples hearts with an excellent portrayal of the shy and retiring LV.
But the brilliant casting didn't stop there. To give the role of the sleazy and manipulative Ray Say to Peter Fry was asking the actor to go totally against his own character - although I must say he took to it like a duck to water. I'm still not convinced it was in fact Peter. Looked more like his younger brother! Very good advertisement for razor blades and hair dye if it was Peter.
And speaking of casting against character, the ability to play the drunken, air-headed, over-bearing slut of a mother so convincingly by Sue Darge is an indicator as to this lady's great talent (or an indicator to a past she keeps well hidden). Actors of Sue's class should be seen far more often. If only we could get her husband to stop impregnating her we may achieve this.
Each of the smaller roles were also handled very well. Pat Golding made the ultimate sacrifice of gaining 30 kilos for the role and I must say she looks well for it! Cory Jones is a trouper! Every time I see him he carries his role impressively. David Young looked like he'd been in overalls all his life and knew a thing or two about manual labour! But you wouldn't expect anything but a great portrayal by David. And last but not least, Ray Condy as Mr Boo looked and acted like you would expect a small-scale promoter to do.
But David's good work didn't stop with casting. The play was moved well, the set was excellent and imaginative and the technical side of things was well handled.
It's always a good night when a production can take you through almost every emotion you are capable of feeling. This play does just that. At times you laugh your head off (not a good look) and at others you are greatly saddened. It lifts your spirits on occassions and also angers you at others. This must always be a credit to the script, the Director and the Actors.
Get along to see this production. You will have a great night.
Dean (soon-to-be much-criticized) Schulze
Walter PlingeMon, 11 June 2001, 06:07 am
Little Voice - don't miss it!
Further to Dean's review, our group went to see LV Saturday night & thorouhly enjoyed it. The combination of a very talented cast (congrats to all), disgustingly perfect set & costumes, spot-on sound cues (if they weren't, we didn't notice) & the skilled direction to bring it all togethermade for a great show in & of itself, but it was Sonni Byrne's incredible singing voice that made the show truly memorable. It is understandable that those who have seen the film might doubt the ability of anyone who does not happen to be Jane Horrocks to play the tailor-made role of LV, but fear not - all comparisons vanish when Sonni begins to sing. With good pacing, full use of the space & excellent ensemble work from the cast, this show is not to be missed.
Thanks to all for a great night out!
Lisa
(PS: handy hint for the audience - if it is a chilly night, bring a rug or head straight for the bar for a coffee - or sherry! to keep warm...)
Thanks to all for a great night out!
Lisa
(PS: handy hint for the audience - if it is a chilly night, bring a rug or head straight for the bar for a coffee - or sherry! to keep warm...)
Walter PlingeTue, 12 June 2001, 04:50 pm
RE: ....................Little Voice.
I saw LV with Lisa last weekend and I totally agree with all the comments.
Obvious highlights were Sonni's magnificent voice, and Mari and Sadies brilliantly coreographed dance number to Tom ones !!!!
The attention to detail on the set was scarey. It was so perfect that I had nightmares about flying plaster ducks and Princess Di plates !!
Dont forget - its damn cold in that hall - take coats and blankeys and a flask of your favourite warming beverage wouldnt go astray !!
Obvious highlights were Sonni's magnificent voice, and Mari and Sadies brilliantly coreographed dance number to Tom ones !!!!
The attention to detail on the set was scarey. It was so perfect that I had nightmares about flying plaster ducks and Princess Di plates !!
Dont forget - its damn cold in that hall - take coats and blankeys and a flask of your favourite warming beverage wouldnt go astray !!
nick christoTue, 12 June 2001, 10:16 pm
RE: Little Voice - don't miss it!
Loved the wallpaper, loved the costumes, loved the songs, loved the mother, loved the voice.
WELL DONE DAVID!!!
Fantastic night worth every penny I paid.
WELL DONE DAVID!!!
Fantastic night worth every penny I paid.
Walter PlingeSat, 16 June 2001, 02:09 pm
RE: ....................Little Voice.
I don't quite know where to start with my praise of LV!! Oh yes I do, Sonni Byrne. We've been friends for MOST of our lives, and I thought there was nothing left that she could surprise me with, I was wrong. Her portrayal of the fragile and somewhat innocent LV was beautiful and achingly real. I still find it hard to draw breath when I hear her sing, she has the voice of an angel!!!!! Well done darling! You made your girlfriend cry, oh, at least THREE times!
Sue Darge was, well, BEASTLY! Her characterisation of LV's mother was all at once chilling and hilarious. Congradulations to David Gardette on his casting choices, all were spot on.
In Websters Dictionary, under the word "kitch"(think I spelt that right...) there should be a picture of the set. It is fabulous in all it's nightmarish glory!
You should all be very proud of what you have achieved with this show, it is a credit to you all.
J xx
PS At the risk of sounding like a smartarse, could Playlovers not earn a bit of extra cash by renting out the ceiling space in Hackett Hall to butchers for the hanging of meat carcasses......I reckon you could snap freeze a woolly mammoth in that hall inside of two hours. Pack thermalactyl underwear y'all, it's like Greenland in there!
Sue Darge was, well, BEASTLY! Her characterisation of LV's mother was all at once chilling and hilarious. Congradulations to David Gardette on his casting choices, all were spot on.
In Websters Dictionary, under the word "kitch"(think I spelt that right...) there should be a picture of the set. It is fabulous in all it's nightmarish glory!
You should all be very proud of what you have achieved with this show, it is a credit to you all.
J xx
PS At the risk of sounding like a smartarse, could Playlovers not earn a bit of extra cash by renting out the ceiling space in Hackett Hall to butchers for the hanging of meat carcasses......I reckon you could snap freeze a woolly mammoth in that hall inside of two hours. Pack thermalactyl underwear y'all, it's like Greenland in there!
BarbZSun, 17 June 2001, 12:00 am
RE: LV Review .. Julia Dalby's PS
LOL (PS) .. like your turn of phrase & descriptive style!!
BarbZ
BarbZ
Walter PlingeSun, 17 June 2001, 02:55 am
Thermalactyl
Thermalctyl??? Wasn't that a genus of snap-frozen dinosaur??
Madness... I await LV in frigid antici............. pation.
Eliot
Madness... I await LV in frigid antici............. pation.
Eliot
Walter PlingeSun, 17 June 2001, 04:43 pm
RE: LV Review .. Julia Dalby's PS
Playlovers committee would greatly appreciate any donations to go towards heating (oh and a nicer venue to put the heating in)!!
Walter PlingeThu, 21 June 2001, 08:02 pm
RE: LV Review .. Julia Dalby's PS
Well.........methinks it would take at LEAST something the size of a snap-frozen dinosaur, thawed and possibly bbq'd over a medium size volcano to merely START warming up the likes of Hackett "my nipples have turned to icicles/my testes have crawled back into my body" Hall.
I think Playlovers should employ out of work seals to do tricks for the audience during intermission. The caring, theatre loving folk, caught up in the magic of the moment, would fling fist fulls of dosh, which could be collected by a strapping young Iniut boy and put towards a Neeeew Venuuuue!!!!!!
Think OUTside the circle kids...........the Arctic Circle that is.....harghharghhagrHAHAHA! Thank you, I'll be here all week.
Stay warm,
Julia
I think Playlovers should employ out of work seals to do tricks for the audience during intermission. The caring, theatre loving folk, caught up in the magic of the moment, would fling fist fulls of dosh, which could be collected by a strapping young Iniut boy and put towards a Neeeew Venuuuue!!!!!!
Think OUTside the circle kids...........the Arctic Circle that is.....harghharghhagrHAHAHA! Thank you, I'll be here all week.
Stay warm,
Julia
AmandaFri, 22 June 2001, 06:04 pm
RE: LV Review .. Julia Dalby's PS
yet another creative excerpt from the pages of the new best seller "Julia's a spaz"
thak you and good night,
Manda.
- methinks i should watch me back at rehersals from now on!
thak you and good night,
Manda.
- methinks i should watch me back at rehersals from now on!
Walter PlingeWed, 27 June 2001, 04:59 pm
RE: ....................Little Voice.
I can only heartily aggree with all that has been said about LV
as a friend of Sonni for a few years through Club West what a trouper, the world is her oyster great actress, wonderful voice.
Congratulations to all at Playlovers, especially David Gardett in his direction and the great cast he assembled, a show to be remembered. His loss to the West when he goes East will be felt for a long time.
Martin Grant
as a friend of Sonni for a few years through Club West what a trouper, the world is her oyster great actress, wonderful voice.
Congratulations to all at Playlovers, especially David Gardett in his direction and the great cast he assembled, a show to be remembered. His loss to the West when he goes East will be felt for a long time.
Martin Grant