OLIIVER @ IPAC

Amen to that Tyson, I fully agree with your statement, although the show was a good night's entertainment. I had the good fortune of laughing from start to finish, however I don't think this is what the directors intended. I'm quite saddened by the way people who will not read this site, the general public, may not fully understand how much this show could move them if it was directed differently. These people will also probably assume that this was a quality production as it was in the IPAC. Theatre is in quite a sad state locally if this show outsells theatre of a much higher calibre being produced in local community venues. I also don't understand why they attempted so hard to make it seem like "The Ocracy Orchestra" was live in the venue, or even recorded using acoustic instruments. From the blantantly misleading photograph in the program down to the very original track of two keyboards "tuning up" which put me on edge before the performance, the obvious lack of any of the instruments present in the program was a total embarrassment, the IPAC staff should be ashamed to let such things happen in their venue. On that note as well, any performer singing to such a metronome karaoke backing track has little or no chance to put the expression required for such a show into their singing. The very talented actor Kate Walsh suffered for the track, and as Tyson said, a piano would have been infinitely better than what was pumping through the speakers. The cast themselves tried their hardest with the direction given, and it was obvious that they were into their performances. A committed effort was given by all, especially the kids who sang and acted their hearts out, even if they did have bottles of alcohol in thier hands at the time. In summing up it is a shame the ever egotistical directors of this show did not leave it alone, because with a slightly higher budget or time allowance for set and props, perhaps a live orchestra or piano, and maybe, just maybe with the original script, this production could well be fit for public consumption. Hopefully The Ocracy can learn from their mistakes before they produce the "major" musical theatre production of spring 2006.