LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

Front of House: Having been given a programme, I was left to my own devices. Maybe this was because the programme sellers were also members of the cast and nobody else from the society was there to greet guests. Something I don’t altogether agree with, is seeing cast members front of house before the performance.

Programme: Very impressive programme. I particularly liked the way the synopsis had been cartoonized. Pity you couldn’t find room for a paragraph about NODA!

Set/Props: Changing from the interior of the shop to the exterior ( Skid Row) actually worked quite well without the use of curtains or moving scenery. This made the flow of the show go smoothly. Props were excellent from the ever growing Audrey11 to the increasing flower stock, the dentist chair and gas helmet.

Lighting/Sound: Because of the way the scenes changed, this needed a good lighting plot and this was achieved. Sound - A little over amplified – I’ll leave it at that!

Costumes: These all looked good and represented the era.

Musical Direction: The music was provided by a band under the direction of Joanna Clements. This type of music is always too loud for me but I suppose that was how it was supposed to be. Nevertheless they made a good sound. Good vocal direction.

The Production: This show must, and always will be dominated by the grand trio of Seymour, Audrey and Audrey11. Lee Batt was endearing as the sweet and bumbling Seymour while Estelle Burfoot-Read provided the warmth and heart of the show as Audrey. They were both naturals on stage and they put in charming performances. Of course, the true star of the show is Audrey11, the ever-growing alien plant brought to terrifying life by Natalie Kirk and Jon Cox who operated the giant plant. They did a sterling job of making it a real lurking menace. Audrey 11 was wickedly voiced by Andy Hollidge. Gordon Harris provided class support as the florist (type casting?) Mushnik – but where did that accent come from Gordon? Richard Howard provided real comic menace as Orin, the sadistic dentist. Crystal (Sue Hendry), Chiffon (Astra Beadle) and Ronnette (Phillipa Read) gave a good grounding to the action, they narrate sections of the story. Their harmonies blended well and they deserve to be proud of their contribution. The supporting cast of derelicts and sundry roles were played with dedication and commitment.
There are a lot of good musical numbers and while not the longest of shows, this was an enjoyable evening well received by the appreciative audience. Stehen Cresswell’s direction and Rebecca Beaumont’s choreography showed the true thoughtfulness that went into this production.

Doreen Grierson NODA Regional Rep District 7

WEDDING SINGER

From the very opening I was transported into 80’s with a simple but effective staging and some brilliantly authentic costuming. I especially liked each wedding having its own unique colour scheme. With the excellent band onstage throughout, this enabled the cast to capture the heart and atmosphere this musical requires. There were some sound issues on the night I attended but they certainly didn’t detract from the enjoyment of the show. Astra Beadle (Julia) vocally excelled herself and gave a sympathetic portrayal of her character while Paul Robinson (Robbie) gave an overall strong performance though pitching and diction were an issue at times. All the supporting principle performers gave confident performances. Lee Batt (George) was subtly camp without overcooking it and Debbie Brennan (Rosie) gave a rip roaring performance for someone who is obviously younger than the years she was playing. I’d live with my gran if she was like her! The excellent ensemble worked with enthusiasm, energy and panache with some inventive choreography by Becky Beaumont in a limited space. It was obvious that everybody worked as a team and thoroughly enjoyed performing the show. Highlights included Debbie Brennan (Rosie) and Lee Batt (George) in Move that Thang and the wonderful interpretation of Single. A well rounded and polished production. Hey i enjoyed it so much I want to join your society!

Cheryl Mumford  NODA SE Rep

BOOGIE  NIGHTS

Boogie Nights recalls those heady days of the 70’s but like most modern musicals it doesn’t  have much of a plot. It is a story of troubled teenage relationships and their friends, making their way through adolescence  and spending some of their time in the Boogie Nights Disco. The cast don hot pants, jumpsuits. Miniskirts, flares, afro wigs and platform shoes all beautiful authentic for the era and encourage the audience to clap and join in.  Those of us who remember the 70’s, would recognise the disco hits of the time  including YMCA (or as in the programme CMYA – deliberate I presume) which was a very ‘cheeky’ number! Unlike Mamma Mia the storyline isn’t contrived so that you can guess exactly which song is coming next. The excellent backing musicians ( although loud)  were faultless. It would be difficult to single out any one of the cast because they were all excellent in their own characterisations and their singing. The ensemble singing, energetic and exuberant choreography was all, again,  faultless. The whole cast looked as though they were enjoying themselves immensely, which encouraged the audience to feel a part of the whole show.Lighting was well thought out using ‘disco lights’ which did sometimes dazzle me. The programme was adequate but no mention of NODA!! The minimal inset scenery worked well. This talented company made this a fun evening and even those who were too young to remember the 70’s couldn’t help but join in with the enthusiasm from the cast. A truly memorable evening’s entertainment.

Doreen Grierson

NODA Regional Rep

(District 7)

A CHORUS LINE

"A Chorus Line - the usual musical it is not! Kentish Players, as always, came up with a cracker of a production, adding to their already long list of outstanding shows. I have nothing but praise for Claire Jennison's choreography, beautifully devised and immaculately performed by her team of extremely high standard dancers - the girls were simply marvelous, but boys only slightly less so! Well done lads, it can't have been easy keeping up with all those glamorous young ladies! It would be wrong to pick out individuals in this show; everyone is a star in his own right. The whole show is made up of the most exciting dance routines, loud music and song, all under the guise of auditioning for a Broadway show. There are no breathing spaces in this show (no interval) and the quick change for the finale was something else! The cast, who danced their socks off, were not costumed until the finale when they all appeared in the most glittering of outfits. A glittering end to a sparkling show. Veronica Corry's direction led the production smoothly to its sparkling finale, with the audience thoroughly enjoying this challenging and exhilarating performance."

Director: Veronica Corry Choreographer: Claire Jennison Musical Director: Martyn Clements

Principle cast: Catherine Alder (Judy), Ann Boarer (Connie), Jo Clements (Bebe), Nikki Cordell (Diana), Rachael Cordell (Val), Tia Crayford (Cassie), Debbie Corry (Sheila), Claire Jennison (Kristine), Karina Malone (Maggie), Joleen Sture (Larry). Paul Atwell (Zac), Simon Barnard (Mike), Jimmy Burton (Paul), Trevor Cleaves (Mark), Scott Highway (Bobby), Mark Jennison (Don), Andy Kemp (Al), Chris Smith (Richie), Alex Sykes (Greg).

Dancers & Booth Singers: Claire Bramley-Harker, Clare Curtis, Maria Martin, Luke Stevenson, Katie Strevens

GODSPELL

In November, the company moved into the Brook Theatre with its new production of Godspell. With a cast of just ten, rehearsals for this production were intense and involved a very busy summer of singing tuition, improvisation sessions and demanding dance routines. The cast were really put through their paces to deliver a very different sort of production for the KPs...and Godspell was received every night by wildly enthusiastic audiences. Godspell is based on the gospel according to St Matthew and was a success for the Kentish Players back in 1984. The 2000 production was brought bang-up-to-date by its production team who swapped the traditional flares and tinted glasses for combats and war paint.

Director: Rachael Cordell Choreographer: Claire Jennison Musical Director: Stephen P Brown

Cast: Simon Barnard (Judas), Emma Burford, Nikki Cordell, Jennifer Herron, Mark Jennison, Andy Kemp, Maria Martin, Guy Pascall (Jesus), Philippa Reed, Chris Smith

FAME

In June, more than 30 actors, dancers and musicians stormed their way through an exhilarating production of FAME. The first amateur showing of the hit musical took place at the Central Theatre, Chatham, and despite the sweltering weather and the final performance clashing with the England v Germany match of Euro 2000, the show was a huge success! The production was directed by Veronica Corry, with choreography from Helen McNally and musical direction in the control of Martyn Clements. Based on the hit TV series of the 80's, Fame the Musical follows the story of a group of talented young students at the New York High School of Performing Arts, on their journey from Freshman Year to Graduation. Songs from the show include Hard Work, Bring on Tomorrow, I Want to Make Magic, Think of Meryl Streep, and of course Fame. The show had a very successful run in the West End and completed a national tour before being released for amateur performance. It has since returned to the London stage.

Director: Veronica Corry Choreographer: Helen McNally Musical Director: Martyn Clements Dance Captain: Claire Jennison

Principle Cast: Catherine Alder (Iris), Simon Barnard (Joe Vegas), Lee Batt (Schlomo), Estelle Burfoot-Reed (Lambchops), Rachael Cordell (Serena), Itse Iyonmike (Tyrone), Heather Notley (Carmen), Guy Pascall (Nick)

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