Terra Nova - November 2011

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NORTH ESSEX THEATRE GUILD

Witham Dramatic Club

Terra Nova

By

Ted Tally

November 2011

 

It will be very difficult to write this adjudication without it being full of superlatives, as indeed this production of Terra Nova deserves.

 

The overall standard of the acting in this production was excellent so I have tried to balance my adjudication between the good and very good.

 

Edgar Evans 

I loved the way David played Evans. I really could believe that this man was plagued by frost bite, his on coming madness and death were a “champagne moment” if that is the right word to use for such a sad piece.

In this very dramatic production David’s beautiful soft Welsh accent contrasted with the Norwegian sound of Amundsen’s voice and with the other characters English accents 

This was a very strong performance indeed

Direction

The large open stage gave the director the advantage of not being hampered with furniture, therefore, allowing her to move the actors in such a way as to convey the vast wilderness of the Antarctic, but still being able to portray the closeness, friendship and, sometimes, frustration of the expedition party.

The choreography of the pulling of and the loading and unloading of the sledge was painstakingly precise; a tremendous amount of thought and work must have gone into getting that just right. 

The audience became so involved with the characters portrayed and there was such a tension built up in this production that at the end of the play there was a long pause before the audience relaxed and the richly deserved applause began.

This was the first time I had been to Witham Dramatic Club; it will not be my last.

Michael Poole

Some older reviews

October '11 Update

Over a year since my last post and happily I'm confirmed in post at Essex Probation. After stints in Basildon and Grays I am now Offender Manager/Court Officer in Chelmsford so my daily commute is down from 60 to 15 minutes.

Our only holiday this year has been to the USA - but what a trip. The Grand Canyon, Yosemite, San Francisco, L.A, Vegas and much more. We've already booked a trans continent US tour for next year. Our latest granchild, Rose, is thriving - as are all our kids and grandchildren and Adam and Gemma get married next year.

I've enjoyed performing in "Anything Goes" and the upcoming "Terra Nova" and was chuffed to get the best actor award for Sweeney from the North Essex Theatre Guild.

Anything Goes

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WITHAM  AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY

ANYTHING GOES (Beaumont Version)

Director Cathy Court

Musical Director Ed Court

Performed at Witham Public Hall                               10^th May 2011

A popular show, and one which is a good company show using talents from newer members and seasoned players to add to the mix of the many diverse characters in the production.

David Slater as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh was a suitably upper class yet naïve member of the gentry, until we heard of his dalliance with Plum Blossom.Quite a change from David’s last major part as Sweeney Todd, and this time a fun part which I am sure he enjoyed.

There seemed to be fewer dancers in this show than I have seen, but the Angels did well in some good routines despite lack of  numbers.

Cathy Court as Director obviously made rehearsals fun which is what it is all about, to have a good time but produce the results, which I thought was well achieved.

Well done to the company on a really bright entertaining show.

ANYTHING GOES

Witham AOS at the Public Hall

The silly plot of Anything Goes is eclipsed by Cole Porter's wonderful songs, skilfully handled by this strong cast. Not all the production numbers had the oomph and the energy of Blow Gabriel Blow with its nuns and its scarlet sinners, and the tap-dancing Angels – beautifully dressed – were outweighed by the more statuesque passengers. So it was left to the principals to light up the stage. Particularly successful were David Slater's Lord Evelyn, with his silly-ass accent and his rampant sword, Tom Whelan's Whitney and Stewart Adkin's gravelly Public Enemy #13 – an exemplary musical comedy performance. His “Oima” was an engaging Kath Adkins, who made the most of her Buddie Beware.

 

David Slater (Lord Evelyn Oakleigh): The role of Evelyn couldn’t have been a bigger contrast for David after Sweeney Todd! He is an accomplished actor and singer and in this part we really saw his comedic abilities. David caught this silly “arse” character to a tee and his “Gypsy in Me” solo was a chance for him to really let his hair down- to the delight of the audience! Well done!