Friday 30 October 2009
Pickwick
Pastiche Musical Theatre
Compass Theatre
Thurs 26th - Sat 29th April 2006
After a shaky start, which included a few fluffed lines, the company warmed to the task. I had never seen Pickwick before so was interested to see this presentation of the novel by Dickens, but I have to say it wasn't a patch on Oliver! based on his great book Oliver Twist.
However, there were some good, lively numbers, some of which felt familiar, such as the song, Talk, which put me in mind of the show Half A Sixpence.
There was a touch of Gilbert and Sullivan in some of the songs; British Justice could have been a pantomime song, while The Trouble with Women, would have sat easily in the repertoire of Chas and Dave.
Rick Williams, in the lead role of Pickwick, sounded and looked the part made famous by that lovable Goon tenor, the late Harry Secombe, and I particularly enjoyed his rendition of the idealist's anthem, If I Ruled the World.
The chorus provided a beautiful backing to this number, which the audience loved for it's worthy sentiments and stirring optimism.
Solicitors Dodson and Fogg, played by John Scoates and Alan Holloway, looking like a cross between Uriah Heap and Albert Steptoe, were good character studies and very funny.
However, for me the real stars of the show were the most amazing array of costumes I have ever seen adorning an amateur company. In fact I was ure they must have been hired before I read in the programme they had been created by the 'two Jeans'.
As well as their roles as director and musical director, Jean Hobson and Jean George somehow found time to design, stitch and fit an excellent kaleidoscope of Dickensian outfits for the show. The clothes, from smart wing collars to pretty peticoats, danced, strutted and strode across the stage with a life of their own, and for me, really made the production. I was mesmerised.
This company must be commended for raising £28,000 for charity since its first show in 1997. This year 'Tearfund', a Christian charity, benefitted.
Barbara Fisher
Thursday 22 October 2009
Tap For Fun
The following reviews are of shows by 'Tap For Fun' who have a large following without the need for extensive marketing. They still fill the Compass to the rafters.
Tap For Fun
Reach For The Stars
The Compass Theatre
16th–20th October 2007
Many people might consider tap dancing as something of a forgotten art-form harking back to the days of the glorious Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly in the 1940’s and 50’s. But let me assure you that tap is alive and kicking and doing very nicely thank you, in our very own borough of Hillingdon.
So how does a group of 45 tap dancers put together an evening’s entertainment without it being simply a procession of tap routines? Well, they wrote their own show of course. The story, written by Dawn Hunter and Kim Shakespeare follows the McTap family, Granny McTap and her three lovely grandchildren Millie, Marti and Max all of whom want to ‘Reach for the Stars.’ Granny became the narrator, guide and compere for the show as we followed their individual journeys towards their goal of fame and fortune.
The narrative of the kids’ rise to stardom was brilliantly delivered by Grandma played by the inimitable Adele Harris who sat in her armchair on the apron of the stage. She has proved before that she can hold an audience and she did so again tonight with wit and panache.
We followed the three kids played by Georgina Phuare, Sally Birch and Ben Banks as they each found jobs and often much more than they bargained for. We were treated to numbers from Chicago, Guys and Dolls, Starlight Express, Riverdance, Kiss me Kate and much more before the three of them came home to a very proud Grandma. The routines were stunning, the co-ordination amazing especially with twenty or so dancers all tapping the same thunderous steps – it was spine-tingling. I must admit I left thinking “How on earth do they learn all those steps in so many numbers’.
Well, I don’t know how they did it but I’m very glad I was there to witness it, the show was a sensation and everyone associated with it should be justly proud. Congratulations to the producers Jean Chamberlain, Shirley Spurling, and Georgina Phuare assisted by Dawn Hunter and Kim Shakespeare. It’s not surprising that they are one of the few groups in the area that sell out at the Compass weeks in advance and on tonight’s performance the queue for the next show will be around the block.
Simon Tidball
Tap For Fun
Circle of Life
The Compass Theatre
11th – 14th February 2009
In this age of rolling news, 24 hour TV channels, computer games, downloading and reality shows one might think that the noble art of tap dancing may have been consigned to the archives. But not so, Hillingdon’s very own Troupe ‘Tap For Fun’ continue to thrive.
Their latest show ‘Circle of Life’ written and directed by group members Dawn Hunter and Kim Shakespeare is the tale of how the gods of Alphios journey through the ages of the Earth’s history, reflecting upon its beauty, cultures and the people who have shaped its history.
Opening with the Circle of Life from the Lion King featuring the whole company we were then led through the history of time by the goddess Zethena played with her usual panache by Adele Harris. We moved through cave capers featuring Stone Age drummers onto the development of steam engines and on through medical science.
One of the most astonishing aspects of the show was the costume changes. Many of the numbers featured the whole cast of forty dancers all in matching costumes only to be replaced moments later by another set of different costumes, and then again and again. Backstage at the Compass theatre must have been bedlam but to their credit the changes were very smooth.
The quality of the dancing was as high as ever and the sight and sound of a stage full of tappers thundering the same steps was awe-inspiring. I felt the theme laboured slightly on Dickens in the second act but all the numbers were well delivered and included one of my personal favourites ‘Master of the House’ from Les Miserables.
The cast and crew have obviously worked extremely hard on the show and should be justly proud of their achievement. Congratulations to the producers Jean Chamberlain, Shirley Spurling and Dawn Hunter. Despite having a great following, the show’s Producer, Jean Chamberlain explains that they are having to move from their current home in Park View Road, Hillingdon and are desperately looking for a new base from which to train and rehearse. If you can help contact Jean by email at jeanrod@blueyonder.co.uk
Simon Tidball
Tap For Fun
Reach For The Stars
The Compass Theatre
16th–20th October 2007
Many people might consider tap dancing as something of a forgotten art-form harking back to the days of the glorious Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly in the 1940’s and 50’s. But let me assure you that tap is alive and kicking and doing very nicely thank you, in our very own borough of Hillingdon.
So how does a group of 45 tap dancers put together an evening’s entertainment without it being simply a procession of tap routines? Well, they wrote their own show of course. The story, written by Dawn Hunter and Kim Shakespeare follows the McTap family, Granny McTap and her three lovely grandchildren Millie, Marti and Max all of whom want to ‘Reach for the Stars.’ Granny became the narrator, guide and compere for the show as we followed their individual journeys towards their goal of fame and fortune.
The narrative of the kids’ rise to stardom was brilliantly delivered by Grandma played by the inimitable Adele Harris who sat in her armchair on the apron of the stage. She has proved before that she can hold an audience and she did so again tonight with wit and panache.
We followed the three kids played by Georgina Phuare, Sally Birch and Ben Banks as they each found jobs and often much more than they bargained for. We were treated to numbers from Chicago, Guys and Dolls, Starlight Express, Riverdance, Kiss me Kate and much more before the three of them came home to a very proud Grandma. The routines were stunning, the co-ordination amazing especially with twenty or so dancers all tapping the same thunderous steps – it was spine-tingling. I must admit I left thinking “How on earth do they learn all those steps in so many numbers’.
Well, I don’t know how they did it but I’m very glad I was there to witness it, the show was a sensation and everyone associated with it should be justly proud. Congratulations to the producers Jean Chamberlain, Shirley Spurling, and Georgina Phuare assisted by Dawn Hunter and Kim Shakespeare. It’s not surprising that they are one of the few groups in the area that sell out at the Compass weeks in advance and on tonight’s performance the queue for the next show will be around the block.
Simon Tidball
Tap For Fun
Circle of Life
The Compass Theatre
11th – 14th February 2009
In this age of rolling news, 24 hour TV channels, computer games, downloading and reality shows one might think that the noble art of tap dancing may have been consigned to the archives. But not so, Hillingdon’s very own Troupe ‘Tap For Fun’ continue to thrive.
Their latest show ‘Circle of Life’ written and directed by group members Dawn Hunter and Kim Shakespeare is the tale of how the gods of Alphios journey through the ages of the Earth’s history, reflecting upon its beauty, cultures and the people who have shaped its history.
Opening with the Circle of Life from the Lion King featuring the whole company we were then led through the history of time by the goddess Zethena played with her usual panache by Adele Harris. We moved through cave capers featuring Stone Age drummers onto the development of steam engines and on through medical science.
One of the most astonishing aspects of the show was the costume changes. Many of the numbers featured the whole cast of forty dancers all in matching costumes only to be replaced moments later by another set of different costumes, and then again and again. Backstage at the Compass theatre must have been bedlam but to their credit the changes were very smooth.
The quality of the dancing was as high as ever and the sight and sound of a stage full of tappers thundering the same steps was awe-inspiring. I felt the theme laboured slightly on Dickens in the second act but all the numbers were well delivered and included one of my personal favourites ‘Master of the House’ from Les Miserables.
The cast and crew have obviously worked extremely hard on the show and should be justly proud of their achievement. Congratulations to the producers Jean Chamberlain, Shirley Spurling and Dawn Hunter. Despite having a great following, the show’s Producer, Jean Chamberlain explains that they are having to move from their current home in Park View Road, Hillingdon and are desperately looking for a new base from which to train and rehearse. If you can help contact Jean by email at jeanrod@blueyonder.co.uk
Simon Tidball
Pajama Game and Oklahoma!
Welcome to the Hillingdon Local Theatre and Musical Theatre review blogspot. Until recently the Uxbridge Gazette series of newspapers featured Previews and also Reviews of shows appearing in and around the borough of Hillingdon in North West London, UK. For reasons that have never been explained the paper suddenly made a decision to stop printing Reviews of shows, much to the disdain of all those people staging the shows.
It is my intention to invite some of the past reviewers from the Gazette to continue to write reviews of shows they may see and to post them on this site. Hopefully the Gazette would help promote the review site and the general public would once again be able to read about show in their area.
To start us off I'm going to print some reviews from recents months, some of which did not make it into the paper and have not yet been seen.
The Pajama Game
Pastiche Musical Theatre
The Compass Theatre
28th -31st March 2007
The Pajama Game, most famous for the 1956 Hollywood film version starring Doris Day and John Raitt is the story of the ‘Sleep Tite’ pajama factory’s battle to get a seven and a half cent raise for its workers. The new Superintendent, Sid Sorokin, played by Pastiche veteran, Steve Ellis is determined to succeed in his new job and the last thing he needs is a labour dispute, especially when a workers laziness leads him to clash with ‘Babe Williams’, head of the grievance committee played superbly by Jenny Rigby. Sid and Babe fall in love but problems arise when the matter of the seven and a half cents come to the fore.
Director, Jean Hobson kept the staging simple, the costumes colourful and the characters well defined. All the musical numbers were delivered with confidence and enthusiasm and it’s great to see a local theatre company with such an abundance of young talent. ‘Steam Heat’ featured three teenage lads, Matthew Ridley, David Rees and Tudor Williams whose dancing was worthy of the professional stage, with more than a little help from Charlotte Ingham and Roma Ridley who also choreographed the show. Musical Director, Jean George has every right to be pleased with excellent renditions of some tricky numbers, in particular ‘Racing with the Clock’.
Above all, what sets Pastiche apart is that the profits from every show, now in its tenth year, go to charity. Pastiche hope to give around £2500 from the Pajama Game to National Children’s Homes with help from Barclays Bank and Camelot and in the 10 years since Pastiche was formed over £35,000 has been raised for worthy causes. Well done to all concerned.
Simon Tidball
Oklahoma!
Pastiche Musical Theatre
Compass Theatre
18th-21st March 2009
PASTICHE Musical Theatre Company, under the direction of Jean Hobson, not only raises money for many charities (an amazing £42,115 to date), but has also been responsible for a wealth of wonderful shows.
And Oklahoma! was certainly no exception. From the start, the five piece band (directed by Jean George) played an excellent overture, with the interesting inclusion of a flute player.
Against the backdrop of music, Aunt Eller (played by Jenny Rigby), gently carried on with her everyday farming tasks. She managed a convincing accent and controlled the difficult bidding at the Box Social, shining through as a lady keeping a farming community in peace and harmony.
Meanwhile Curly (Steve Ellis) looked the part with his cheeky expressions, and Laurey, played by Louise Crouch, had a beautiful singing voice.
It was good to see principal parts taken by young men. Will Parker (Tudor Williams) and Ali Hakim (Ben Banks) were very amusing characters while Simon Tidball, as Jud acted the villain extremely well.
Special mention must be made of Claire Ridley, who stepped into the part of Ado Annie at short notice. her acting, singing and dancing were excellent.
Congratulations must also go to Roma Ridley for the choreography. All the dance numbers were bouncy, but controlled and the costumes, as always with Pastiche, were so authentic, fresh and colourful.
Jean Hobson would like to thank everyone who went along and made the evening such a success. The proceeds will go to Moorcroft School in Hayes, which caters for children with severe learning difficulties.
Siba Matti
It is my intention to invite some of the past reviewers from the Gazette to continue to write reviews of shows they may see and to post them on this site. Hopefully the Gazette would help promote the review site and the general public would once again be able to read about show in their area.
To start us off I'm going to print some reviews from recents months, some of which did not make it into the paper and have not yet been seen.
The Pajama Game
Pastiche Musical Theatre
The Compass Theatre
28th -31st March 2007
The Pajama Game, most famous for the 1956 Hollywood film version starring Doris Day and John Raitt is the story of the ‘Sleep Tite’ pajama factory’s battle to get a seven and a half cent raise for its workers. The new Superintendent, Sid Sorokin, played by Pastiche veteran, Steve Ellis is determined to succeed in his new job and the last thing he needs is a labour dispute, especially when a workers laziness leads him to clash with ‘Babe Williams’, head of the grievance committee played superbly by Jenny Rigby. Sid and Babe fall in love but problems arise when the matter of the seven and a half cents come to the fore.
Director, Jean Hobson kept the staging simple, the costumes colourful and the characters well defined. All the musical numbers were delivered with confidence and enthusiasm and it’s great to see a local theatre company with such an abundance of young talent. ‘Steam Heat’ featured three teenage lads, Matthew Ridley, David Rees and Tudor Williams whose dancing was worthy of the professional stage, with more than a little help from Charlotte Ingham and Roma Ridley who also choreographed the show. Musical Director, Jean George has every right to be pleased with excellent renditions of some tricky numbers, in particular ‘Racing with the Clock’.
Above all, what sets Pastiche apart is that the profits from every show, now in its tenth year, go to charity. Pastiche hope to give around £2500 from the Pajama Game to National Children’s Homes with help from Barclays Bank and Camelot and in the 10 years since Pastiche was formed over £35,000 has been raised for worthy causes. Well done to all concerned.
Simon Tidball
Oklahoma!
Pastiche Musical Theatre
Compass Theatre
18th-21st March 2009
PASTICHE Musical Theatre Company, under the direction of Jean Hobson, not only raises money for many charities (an amazing £42,115 to date), but has also been responsible for a wealth of wonderful shows.
And Oklahoma! was certainly no exception. From the start, the five piece band (directed by Jean George) played an excellent overture, with the interesting inclusion of a flute player.
Against the backdrop of music, Aunt Eller (played by Jenny Rigby), gently carried on with her everyday farming tasks. She managed a convincing accent and controlled the difficult bidding at the Box Social, shining through as a lady keeping a farming community in peace and harmony.
Meanwhile Curly (Steve Ellis) looked the part with his cheeky expressions, and Laurey, played by Louise Crouch, had a beautiful singing voice.
It was good to see principal parts taken by young men. Will Parker (Tudor Williams) and Ali Hakim (Ben Banks) were very amusing characters while Simon Tidball, as Jud acted the villain extremely well.
Special mention must be made of Claire Ridley, who stepped into the part of Ado Annie at short notice. her acting, singing and dancing were excellent.
Congratulations must also go to Roma Ridley for the choreography. All the dance numbers were bouncy, but controlled and the costumes, as always with Pastiche, were so authentic, fresh and colourful.
Jean Hobson would like to thank everyone who went along and made the evening such a success. The proceeds will go to Moorcroft School in Hayes, which caters for children with severe learning difficulties.
Siba Matti
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