Wiltshire Times
TROWBRIDGE AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY
From the first bars of Oh, What a Beautiful Morning at the Civic Hall, it was clear that Trowbridge Amateur Operatic Society's production of Oklahoma! was going to be yet another triumph for this talented company.
Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic musical western has wonderful solos, magnificent production numbers and a strong storyline - but it is by no means an easy piece to either stage or perform. TAOS did a great job on both counts.
The society is fortunate in having plenty of good singers and actors across a wide range of ages, so casting the principals must have been a dream for director Phil Courage. The two leads, Sean Andrews as Curly and Kate Courage as Laurey, would put many professionals to shame: they looked and sounded terrific, equally convincing whether they were sparring or romancing.
Kath Cowdroy as Laurey's feisty Aunt Eller, Naomi Stevens as Ado Annie - the gal who cain't say no - and Matt Heaton as her clueless beau Will Parker all gave wellrounded performances, acting and singing with confidence and verve.
Annie's alternative lover, the Persian peddler Ali Hakkim, was played with barrowloads of charm by Siggi Moore. A natural comedian, his scenes with Annie and her braying rival Gertie Cummings (Caroline Cowdroy) were a delight.
Paul Butler, who has directed many of the society's past productions, made a welcome return to the stage to play the demanding part of Jud Fry. He made the misfit loner into a dark, dangerous, but almost sympathetic, presence. His duet with Curly, Pore Jud is Daid, had almost none of the comedy overtones so often associated with the song, and the subsequent solo, Lonely Room, was quite chilling in its intensity. As ever, the big production numbers were superb, with the final chorus of the title song almost bringing the house down.
Allison Lomax - always a star, whether in the chorus or a leading role - made an excellent job of the choreography, and Helen Heaton's musical direction was spot on, with the orchestra providing a lively and well-balanced accompaniment to the singers on stage Oklahoma! was performed as part of the festival supporting BBC Music Live.
Joceline Bury
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IT was the icing on the cake for members of Trowbridge operatic this week after its successful show Oklahoma! came to a close. Director Phil Courage was so pleased with the production that he made a cake the replica of the set as a thank you to all those who took part. Mr Courage, who has been nominated for a number of rose bowl awards and last year won the Best Technical achievement award for a production of the Merry Wives of Windsor, said: "We have a celebration party at the final night where society members take things to eat. What better than a cake of the set." The show opened with the scene of Aunt Eller's little farmhouse and it was this scene that Mr Courage reproduced, complete with sugar icing for the veranda poles. Oklahoma! has recently had a successful revival in the West End and it was also a revival for the Trowbridge Amateur Operatic Society who brought it to the stage 12 years ago. |