Darlington: Anything Goes
Mon, 21 Nov 2005, 03:14 pmWalter Plinge1 post in thread
Darlington: Anything Goes
Mon, 21 Nov 2005, 03:14 pmLast week I took a trip up to Darlington Theatre Players to see their latest musical Cole PorterÂ’s Anything Goes. Anything Goes is a wonderful music set on a ship in the 1930s with some wonderful musical numbers.
Unfortunately, the company performance was hindered by a few badly made decisions. The first comment I must say was the decision to use CD backing instead of a band was the worst decision and let the show down incredibly. If they had trouble locating a band then they should not have put the show on at all. The CD sounded dreadful and the atmosphere was dull and dreary. All the songs and dance routines were ruined by this ‘digitally mastered’ CD that would have made Cole Porter turn in his grave.
Next, comes the performances: Nyree Hughes who played lead role Reno Sweeney gave an extremely good effort; however, whilst her musical theatre talent did shine at parts, I do not believe her singing range was anywhere near what the role of Reno Sweeney required. Reno Sweeney must have a powerful voice that makes the audience’s spine tinkle. The numbers ‘I Get No Kick Out of You’, ‘Anything Goes’ and ‘Blow Gabriel Blow’ are ‘show stopping’ numbers; however, Nyree voice did not have the power to achieve this. However, her characterisation of the character was very entertaining and much enjoyable. Ashleigh Warner who played Hope Harcourt had some singing range problems. Hope Harcourt sings the number ‘Delovely’, which consists of some very high notes. Ashleigh did not hit many of these notes and really suffered through that song. It was disappointing and I believe the biggest mistake was in the casting. Ashleigh does show promising talent; however, when you are unable to sing a song like that, you should not be cast in a role to have to do that. Peter Carr was cast in Billy Crocker and was very enjoyable to watch. His singing, dancing and acting were all at a high standard and he supported the show well on his shoulder. One of the show highlights was Breeahn Jones who played the slutty, mole Erma. Her characterizations were the best in the show and her song ‘Buddie Beware’ was the only song that came close to being a showstopper. Luke Taffe was another one of the show highlights in the role of Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. He brought confidence, humour and creativity to his character and performance and had many of the laughs throughout the show.
The set was well done, it did appear a little tacky from the audience but it was believable in its display. Set changes were done with speed – well done backstage crew!
The show was filled, with many wonderful movement patterns through the small and big numbers (even though they were ruined by the awful CD) but nevertheless I thought the movement between Reno and Billy in ‘I Get No...’ and ‘You’re the Top’ were simply divine and Nyree’s little kick was just the perfect touch, one that she didn’t overplay but created humour every time it was done. I don’t know what happened with the movement in ‘Delovely’ but it felt at times that both actors didn’t know what they were doing and just waltzing with no purpose. Choreography was well done and well constructed by Claire French. Reno and her two angels, (Claire French especially), had some nice tapping moments in ‘Anything Goes’ and I thoroughly enjoyed when Hope came over and tapped against Reno, a very nice touch. The start of Act 2 started with the sailors and angels dancing, which was well choreographed and executed. I thought Danni Minett who played Chastity did not seem extremely focussed nor committed to her character at parts in the show.
Overall, the movement was one of the shows highlights.
The lighting design did not seem to be very ambitious and opportunities for some lighting changes brought nothing and I found that disappointing. ‘Delovely’ is a great song to bring some mood lighting into the show but nevertheless, nothing.
Marjorie de Cauz excelled in the wardrobe and many of the costumes were stunning, and what was really pleasing to see was the many of the costumes fitted many of the actors really well. ErmaÂ’s black dress, HopeÂ’s gown and RenoÂ’s red dress were all smashing.
Overall, I felt like there were many opportunities for improvements; however, I think once the decision to use a CD was chosen the show was ruined.
I must query Paul Treasure directing decision to let Moonface Martin walk between the two cabin rooms on stage and not get him to walk upstage out of our sight and around back downstage. It looked really silly, him walking between the two on stage.
The Darlington Theatre Company were very welcoming and warm, and the theatre was extremely comfortable.
However, a musical is never easy to put on, and you have achieved this with some nice touches and honest laughs from the audience. Goodluck for the rest of the season, have fun and as Reno’s says ‘Anything Goes………….’
Unfortunately, the company performance was hindered by a few badly made decisions. The first comment I must say was the decision to use CD backing instead of a band was the worst decision and let the show down incredibly. If they had trouble locating a band then they should not have put the show on at all. The CD sounded dreadful and the atmosphere was dull and dreary. All the songs and dance routines were ruined by this ‘digitally mastered’ CD that would have made Cole Porter turn in his grave.
Next, comes the performances: Nyree Hughes who played lead role Reno Sweeney gave an extremely good effort; however, whilst her musical theatre talent did shine at parts, I do not believe her singing range was anywhere near what the role of Reno Sweeney required. Reno Sweeney must have a powerful voice that makes the audience’s spine tinkle. The numbers ‘I Get No Kick Out of You’, ‘Anything Goes’ and ‘Blow Gabriel Blow’ are ‘show stopping’ numbers; however, Nyree voice did not have the power to achieve this. However, her characterisation of the character was very entertaining and much enjoyable. Ashleigh Warner who played Hope Harcourt had some singing range problems. Hope Harcourt sings the number ‘Delovely’, which consists of some very high notes. Ashleigh did not hit many of these notes and really suffered through that song. It was disappointing and I believe the biggest mistake was in the casting. Ashleigh does show promising talent; however, when you are unable to sing a song like that, you should not be cast in a role to have to do that. Peter Carr was cast in Billy Crocker and was very enjoyable to watch. His singing, dancing and acting were all at a high standard and he supported the show well on his shoulder. One of the show highlights was Breeahn Jones who played the slutty, mole Erma. Her characterizations were the best in the show and her song ‘Buddie Beware’ was the only song that came close to being a showstopper. Luke Taffe was another one of the show highlights in the role of Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. He brought confidence, humour and creativity to his character and performance and had many of the laughs throughout the show.
The set was well done, it did appear a little tacky from the audience but it was believable in its display. Set changes were done with speed – well done backstage crew!
The show was filled, with many wonderful movement patterns through the small and big numbers (even though they were ruined by the awful CD) but nevertheless I thought the movement between Reno and Billy in ‘I Get No...’ and ‘You’re the Top’ were simply divine and Nyree’s little kick was just the perfect touch, one that she didn’t overplay but created humour every time it was done. I don’t know what happened with the movement in ‘Delovely’ but it felt at times that both actors didn’t know what they were doing and just waltzing with no purpose. Choreography was well done and well constructed by Claire French. Reno and her two angels, (Claire French especially), had some nice tapping moments in ‘Anything Goes’ and I thoroughly enjoyed when Hope came over and tapped against Reno, a very nice touch. The start of Act 2 started with the sailors and angels dancing, which was well choreographed and executed. I thought Danni Minett who played Chastity did not seem extremely focussed nor committed to her character at parts in the show.
Overall, the movement was one of the shows highlights.
The lighting design did not seem to be very ambitious and opportunities for some lighting changes brought nothing and I found that disappointing. ‘Delovely’ is a great song to bring some mood lighting into the show but nevertheless, nothing.
Marjorie de Cauz excelled in the wardrobe and many of the costumes were stunning, and what was really pleasing to see was the many of the costumes fitted many of the actors really well. ErmaÂ’s black dress, HopeÂ’s gown and RenoÂ’s red dress were all smashing.
Overall, I felt like there were many opportunities for improvements; however, I think once the decision to use a CD was chosen the show was ruined.
I must query Paul Treasure directing decision to let Moonface Martin walk between the two cabin rooms on stage and not get him to walk upstage out of our sight and around back downstage. It looked really silly, him walking between the two on stage.
The Darlington Theatre Company were very welcoming and warm, and the theatre was extremely comfortable.
However, a musical is never easy to put on, and you have achieved this with some nice touches and honest laughs from the audience. Goodluck for the rest of the season, have fun and as Reno’s says ‘Anything Goes………….’