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Surrey
Advertiser
Theo Spring
4 stars
Wallop's winter show always seems to provide something
of a social occasion as audiences gather at their tables to indulge
themselves in the entertainment, the odd glass and a fish supper.
To a packed Thursday night, songs ranging from musicals to ballads to pop
were woven into a loose plot about an amateur group, The Really Hopeful
Theatre Troup, seeking a venue that will help them revive their failing
finances and dwindling audiences. Devised by Rosemary Minchin, the scenes
showed the troup's tenacity as they attended auditions, singing, dancing and
acting rehearsals, all in the hope that they would be able to perform. One
of the funniest of these was the drama section's skits on Shakespeare as
one-line visual puns on actual quotes paraded across the stage culminating
in Brush Up Your Shakespeare from Kiss Me Kate.
More comedy came from the wardrobe department scene where the men
revelled in being the seamstresses - a reaction to the backstage set
construction being in female hands (If I Had A Hammer).
Musical Director Rob Randall, who had his work really cut out to be on
top of the many musical cues, led the singing rehearsal before Liz Hopkins
came in with a Doh Ray Me tutorial. Do You Wanna Dance and Your Feet's Too
Big featured in the dance scene and a plethora of money songs (If I Were A
Rich Man, Money Makes the World Go Around, Pick a Pocket or Two, Abba's
Money Money Money) helped the troup's committee wish for financial
improvement.
Jacky Cook's excellent solo - Abba's I Have A Dream emphasised how things
might be and Clare Allsop's Sing, Sing A Song was melodious enough to get
her a singing lead in any show.
Wallop are fortunate to have a small team of agile young dancers,
including Sophie Paice who co-choreographed with Tracey Paice. Joining
Sophie in an exuberant high kicking routine, Katie Leitch and Sarah Kennedy
danced their socks off, aided by Dan Kent to make up this quartet. This did
not mean the rest of the troup were stationery - far from it, as tap and
modern routines flowed through the show.
There was an 'in house' backing group of Clare Allsop, Celena Bain and
Julie Foard and some tuneful numbers from Steve Leitch and Ian Lambert.
Comedy actress Laure Bright gathered the scenes together with her tea
trolley and tlc, always exiting on a joke.
Finding songs to suit the chosen themes was a considerable achievement
and it was good to see Barbara Windsor back in the driving seat as director
who, along with Janet Harris and Yvonne Mount costumed the show with what
has become Wallop's trade mark - colour themes. Along with a good lighting
plot, this always makes their shows so easy on the eye. |
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NODA
Jeff Raggett - Region
5
Short review:
'Wallop The Musical',
written by Rosemary
Minchin, in the style of a musical
revue,
a story about an amateur company
searching
for a performing
venue. Brilliantly directed
by Barbara E Windsor, with a varied programme, everyone had their
moment in the limelight,
radiating energy
and
enthusiasm. The number of songs and routines were impressive,
led admirably by the Musical Director Robert Randall and his
accomplished
small band.
Main Review:
Knowing Wallop cafe
style revues, I arrived
in anticipation of a very entertaining
and
relaxed evening and I wasn't disappointed.
My thanks to the Front of House team for the warm
welcome and hospitality.
'Wallop The Musical'
written by Rosemary
Minchin, who was
also in the company. The
informative
programme explained that 'the story is about the
'Really
Hopeful Theatre Troup' who were in trouble due to poor finances
and the run down state of
their
hall which didn't attract
good audiences. Johnny, a Committee member and performer with a heart of
gold has a contact in high places. With a few ups and downs along the way,
Johnny comes to the rescue of the 'Troup' at the 12th hour and an
off West End Theatre is loaned for free for one
night's performance. The
Company rally round and put on the show of their lives'.
Brilliantly directed
by Barbara E Windsor, the plot involved a lot of hard work by all members of
the company. Naturally there
would always be the principal characters
but it was lovely to see everyone having their
moment in the limelight,
radiating energy
and
enthusiasm. The numerous songs that the company got through was impressive.
From the moment
Tony
Wall, the 'MC' opened the show, the audience were thoroughly entertained by
a varied programme, led admirably by the Musical Director Robert Randall and
his small, but
accomplished
band. The songs came
fast and furious and the plot was easy to follow. Particularly impressive
were the ranges of costumes and coordinated colours. Some of the dresses
were spectacular, especially the Extremes
and the
Dancers.
One could tell that there had been a lot of preparation and teamwork by the
Wardrobe
team and the company to provide a visual feast.
Nice
bright
lighting and simple but effective staging by the Lighting/Staging Team with
sensible use of the rostrum, which included a fence for the cast to appear
to lean comfortably against. Very nice company pictures were formed
during the various scenes, and the choreography by the Tracey and
Sophie
Paice was excellent.
Unfortunately I can't
mention everyone individually; as the plot
and
performances
developed,
regrettably
it was difficult to keep up with who was singing what, I appreciate that
there were indeed a lot of songs, but a point for
future
programmes, it would be
nice
to include the songs so that performances were credited with their
particular numbers.
Act 1
The start was just a
little slow
and
tentative but everyone soon got going.
Money - the Abba
number, was a very good routine. Well
done
to the brave
lady
who came
forward
in the wheelie chair
with money bags.
The Auditions. Very
good use of the 'Extremes'
musical interlude
and
one could tell that all participants were enjoying their
moment. The best moment was the 'juggler - Susan'.
Hilarious.
Also
worthy of note, the tap routine, dressed in gorgeous black and
white
costumes. A
nice
finishing song by the judges and singers. Good 'Wallop' T shirts.
I was pleased to see
that the MD got a chance to sing, although it would have been
nice
for him to turn round to perform
to the audience.
'Jonny One Note' was
very good - but no details as to who this was! But it is difficult to stay
on one note
and
he did so very well.
The
Dance
rehearsal,
very impressive.
Anyone in the audience who has been to a company dance rehearsal
will relate to the sight of the choreographer 'drilling' the full company.
To be fully
realistic,
some of the members could have made
a few more 'mistakes' early on.
Laurie Bright,
(Gladys
the Tea Lady), was one of my favourite characters.
Her one liners which were
both on
and
off script had excellent comedy timing. Of particular note, at the end of
the show when Gladys got into her 'glad rags'
and joined in the
dance
routines, she had the happiest face in the company, she was obviously
enjoying herself.
Rosemary
Minchin: 'Writers' Block'. Excellent delivery, (although technically - the
'lightbulb moment' was late!).
Jacky
Cook,
(Janet) very
nice
performances,
a great
voice.
'Get into the Groove'
Excellent final number to Act 1,
nice
to see a
young
dancer,
Dan, who was excellent, very good expressive
face. Good luck with his
future
field
trip abroad. The
lighting
team worked very hard in this number, well
done.
Act 2
Maxwell's Hammer - very enjoyable sing a long for the audience.
Sewing Machine men - well
done!
Great
outfits
and
again good movement from Dan.
'Joseph song': clever
lyrics
Shakespeare
sketches - very very funny, well
done
the company,
and
of course 'Brush up your Shakespeare' is always a winner with audiences.
Well chosen.
Jacky - 'Dream'
-
nicely
performed.
Da doo ron ron: well
done with great
blue dresses,
nice
idea to use phones
Roses:
Excellent kick line by the girls.
Derek
- Devil Women - well sung with a slick routine.
Secret
Love -
nice
little ballet,
Sophie
Paice worked particularly hard throughout the whole show. Very impressive,
precise work. But please smile a little more.
'We've got a show' -
good energy. Ensemble all looked suitably glittery. The rostrum came
into its own in this number.
Hairspray
number: A great
finale. I know from experience it is difficult to sing
and
dance
this number so well
done
everyone! Great black and silver dancer dresses.
Thank you for your
hospitality and if I can be of any assistance please don't hesitate to
contact me. |
