NODA Review - Katharine Carradus
First of all I would like to say how sorry I was to hear that the President Tom Walker had died during show week, he was indeed a lovely man and will be very much missed by everyone who knew him.
I was very impressed with the newly refurbished Carnegie Theatre, I do agree that it looks a delight. This favourite show packed them into the Carnegie. The opening of the show was very good, the nuns of Nonnberg Abbey were in fine voice. Maria played by Laura Johnston was good in the part, her vocal clarity, personality, and rapport with the children captivated the audience. I very much enjoyed ‘The Lonely Goatherd’ and thought it well sung and also very humorous. Gareth Douglas-Brown as Captain Von Trapp gave a nicely rounded performance with an excellent rendition of ‘Edelweiss’. Elsa Schraeder looked elegant and had good stage presence and a fine command of her dialogue, so well done Kimberley Fisher, and along with Tony McGee as Max, who had great facial expressions, appeared more the jolly uncle rather than the usual urbane character but they made a dynamic duo.
Mark Stilwell as Rolf captured the potential of the Hitler League of Youth, this part can be unrewarding but I thought he did well, he gave us a lovely ‘Going on Sixteen’ with Jennifer Hawley who was a very pretty and well sung Liesl. What can I say about Elizabeth Turnbull's performance as Mother Abbes, her rendition of ‘Climb Every Mountain’ can only be described as brilliant, she was just perfect in the part as was her three ‘sisters’ singing ‘Maria’, how well they all blended. All the smaller principles made their mark, I did like Katie Thould as Frau Schmidt. All the children worked very hard capturing the exuberance of youth, so very well done to team red and team white.
A good set by Scenic Projects, a small problem at times with the backcloth, possibly a snag. Costumes were in period apart from Frau Schmidt whose dress I thought looked more Edwardian than the late 30’s, also I was not sure about the mop hat.
This was a jolly good night’s entertainment, the orchestra played a major part in making this show the success it was, along with Adrienne Kelly’s choreography. Sound and lighting were good also. We all enjoyed ourselves, on leaving the theatre we missed a road sign, and ended up having and unexpected visit to Cockermouth, but soon got back on track! Thank you Workington.
I was very impressed with the newly refurbished Carnegie Theatre, I do agree that it looks a delight. This favourite show packed them into the Carnegie. The opening of the show was very good, the nuns of Nonnberg Abbey were in fine voice. Maria played by Laura Johnston was good in the part, her vocal clarity, personality, and rapport with the children captivated the audience. I very much enjoyed ‘The Lonely Goatherd’ and thought it well sung and also very humorous. Gareth Douglas-Brown as Captain Von Trapp gave a nicely rounded performance with an excellent rendition of ‘Edelweiss’. Elsa Schraeder looked elegant and had good stage presence and a fine command of her dialogue, so well done Kimberley Fisher, and along with Tony McGee as Max, who had great facial expressions, appeared more the jolly uncle rather than the usual urbane character but they made a dynamic duo.
Mark Stilwell as Rolf captured the potential of the Hitler League of Youth, this part can be unrewarding but I thought he did well, he gave us a lovely ‘Going on Sixteen’ with Jennifer Hawley who was a very pretty and well sung Liesl. What can I say about Elizabeth Turnbull's performance as Mother Abbes, her rendition of ‘Climb Every Mountain’ can only be described as brilliant, she was just perfect in the part as was her three ‘sisters’ singing ‘Maria’, how well they all blended. All the smaller principles made their mark, I did like Katie Thould as Frau Schmidt. All the children worked very hard capturing the exuberance of youth, so very well done to team red and team white.
A good set by Scenic Projects, a small problem at times with the backcloth, possibly a snag. Costumes were in period apart from Frau Schmidt whose dress I thought looked more Edwardian than the late 30’s, also I was not sure about the mop hat.
This was a jolly good night’s entertainment, the orchestra played a major part in making this show the success it was, along with Adrienne Kelly’s choreography. Sound and lighting were good also. We all enjoyed ourselves, on leaving the theatre we missed a road sign, and ended up having and unexpected visit to Cockermouth, but soon got back on track! Thank you Workington.