Olivia

                    Junior Show Review April 2010

Who’d have though that a bit of ash could cause so much upheaval?

Biggar Junior Theatre Workshop’s spring production “Olivia” was under serious threat when it became clear that one of its leading actors was stuck in Dubai. But were they down- hearted? Well, yes, a bit. Then Cameron Docker, with less than a weeks notice, stepped up to the mark, learned the script (and all the songs!) and the show did go on!

At first sight, Olivia looks like a variation on the theme of the musical “Oliver”. But when you have a large cast of children, a few more roles are needed, so let’s dip into the works of Dickens (with a miniature but feisty Scrooge, not to mention Little Dorrit). Oh and why not bring in George Bernard Shaw, with Eliza Doolittle and a My Fair Lady theme.

And while we’re in Covent Garden, we must pay a visit to the opera. But “nobody likes opera” according to Fagin. Well it ain’t over till the Fat Lady sings (and here we had a mini-Brunhilde in drag who caused convulsions in the audience). And one star-struck young lady loved the opera – as well she might – for, in Act 2, she amazed the audience with a truly stunning performance of a variation on Gilbert and Sullivan’s “modern major-general”.

The plot is almost incidental, but for the record, we had the delightfully sweet, but spirited Olivia escaping from Mrs Murdstone’s orphanage, then singing her way through all the aforementioned characters (who tried, alternately, to help her and exploit her) and ending up happily ever after, with Scrooge footing the bill for the party. 

There were lots of nice, well-rehearsed, cameo performances, and it’s unfair to single out individuals. But a great night’s entertainment, to lift the spirits of the enthusiastic audience.

As regular supporters will know, the Corn Exchange is closed for refurbishment, so the technical team faced quite a challenge in creating a theatre in Coulter Hall. They did a superbly professional job, with set, lighting, and music, leaving nothing to distract from the on-stage action.

As always, a tremendous amount of work for Linda Gillespie and an army of helpers, but massively worthwhile to see the joy on the children’s faces, and their collective sense of achievement.

MC 17-04-10

                 The King and I Review

Tuesday 10th - Saturday 14th March 2009 

The King and I is a huge show to stage, even for a professional company, and extremely ambitious for amateurs. It is a tribute to the skillful direction of Guy Heath that he not only succeeded in putting all the component parts together, but also put on a most professional and enjoyable evening's entertainment, keeping audiences rapt for over 3 hours in uncomfortable plastic chairs is no mean feat, but Biggar Theater Workshop achieved just that this week and put on a splendid show. The hard work put in by the highly efficient production team of Gil Dunn and Loraine Stewart, assisted by Fiona Armstrong ensured that all flowed smoothly, despite the huge cost.

The effort put in by Linda Gillespie and her team with the Juniors, and Fiona Sim and C.J. Brown with the Youth was also evident. The singing under the direction of Alison Bishop was excellent, and the stage performances were enhanced by a fourteen piece orchestra, under the capable baton of the multi-talented Mike Chad. As the overture played the well-loved melodies, we knew we were in for a treat. Mary Calvely directed the dancing to her usual professional standard and the costumes were really wonderful, thanks to Denise McMillan, Anne Cochrane and Rosemary Buchanan. The hard work of the huge team over many months resulted in a show that would have graced a professional stage.

Malcolm Muir, who played the King of Siam is a talented actor with a delightful singing voice who always gives a good performance, but this was definitely his best role to date. He handled the difficult balance between despotic ruler and enlightened patriarch with the lightest of touches, bringing both humour and pathos to the interpretation and his rendition of 'It's a puzzlement' was a triumph. It was ably supported by two Anna Leonowens, Ursula Baillie and Iona McCulloch, both welcome newcomers to Biggar Theatre Workshop, each of them brought their own special magic to the show, Ursula, tall, dignified, graceful and looking every inch an English schoolteacher, gave an assured performance and sang confidently and well. Iona's interpretation developed a more assertive side of an English woman encountering a culture she was in many ways at odds with, and Iona gave some fine comic and tragic moments and has a beautiful singing voice.

In the supporting role of Lady Thiang, principal wife, Rosemarie Wallace and Daphne Chad both looked lovely and distinctly Siamese and handled the most difficult song in the show 'Something Wonderful' beautifully. Rosemarie played the part very sympathetically and well, and Daphne again displayed her immense versatility and talent as an actress by totally transforming into a loyal subservient wife from 19^th Century Siam.

Tuptim, the star-crossed lover was also given two interpretations by Mairi McAllan and Jennifer Gillespie. Mairi very much looked the part of a Burmese lady and conveyed the tragedy of a woman, given to one man while loving another, well. Jennifer emphasized the more rebellious side of a character at odds with the mores of her time, and her singing was beautiful.

Rory Nicholson who played the other half of the star- crossed lovers gave a splendid performance with both his pretty partners, and also showed control and maturity in his singing.

Andrew Goldie, sporting a chest newly waxed for Comic Relief gave a suitably disgruntled interpretation of the haughty Kralahome, a man who correctly foresaw the downfall of a king who becomes involved with a woman from another culture, and Alex Gardiner prostrated himself as Phra Alak with his usual wholehearted approach to even minor roles. Jim Softley, hiding a newly waxed chest and sporting a specially grown beard, played a convincing Scottish sea-captain prognosticating doom and gloom, while David Campbell managed to cleverly inject humour into the cameo role of Sir Edward Ramsay.

The young men playing the parts of Louis Leonowens and Prince Chululonghorn, Gregor Stewart, Jack Savage, Aird Jardine and Jack Hinks all performed confidently and handled the difficult singing with maturity. Gregor nicely conveyed the trepidation of a boy taken to a new culture, and Jack gave a strong performance as the feisty son of a determined mother. Aird Jardine and Jack Hinks both doubled as dancers as well as playing the Prince, with Aird again portraying the more confused side of his father whilst Jack emphasized a strong but more enlightened future King.

The multi-talented wives Anne Smart, Helen Savage, Julie Devine and Jenny Bowman and ubiquitous C.J. Brown, sang, danced and directed children and looked gorgeous in both Siamese and western dress, with or without undergarments. Multi skilling was everywhere with members of the Youth playing multiple roles and Ashleigh Short playing first violin as well as being a splendid Simon le Gree.

The children of the Junior Workshop were enchanting as the King's family and the presentation of them to Anna was a high spot in the show. Great credit must go to Linda Gillespie for transforming lively British children into a disciplined and delightful Siamese family who looked wonderful and sang beautifully.

One of the highlights of he show was undoubtedly the 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' sequence which was devised by C.J. Brown assisted in it's execution by Mary Calvely. I have seen many versions of 'The King and I' and this is the only time I have seen this sequence successful. It was a triumph, both in concept and execution, and held audiences spell bound, with every single member of the Youth performing perfectly. It is particularly encouraging to see alongside all the adults who give up so much of their time, young people like C.J. who not only help run the Youth Workshop but does dancing and acting too, ensuring that Biggar Theatre Workshop is in safe hands for the future. Congratulations to all on a super show.

H.G.