Norfolk & Norwich Operatic Society - Norfolk's Premiere Musical Theatre Company

Norfolk and Norwich Operatic Society

Titanic the Musical

David Porter

29^th January – Eastern Daily Press

If you think the sinking of the Titanic is a strange subject for a musical then you’re in good company. However, with such quality performing and all the human interest you want, it’s a great show. It’s full of mini tales about real people, though the relentless inevitability of the ship being pushed ever faster while iceberg warnings keep coming in is the big story.

It is compelling. The music and songs convey the impending disaster right into your heart.

Jeremy Tustin, the director, captures the sense of tragic destiny against the folly of people believing that the largest moving object on earth couldn’t sink.

Geoffrey Davidson conducts a magnificent orchestra that swells into the revamped Theatre royal just beautifully.

The long first halp sets sail with cameo building climaxing in the terrible crunch as the iceberg hits. The second half accelerates as fate sends some into lifeboats and some to die.

Suddenly the contrast between first and second class passengers counts for nothing. It’s every man for himself.

The Captain (John McInnes) plays it world eary until suddenly the enormity of the calamity weighs him down.

It’s a minor masterpiece of musical theatre. It’s a major hit for the Norfolk and Norwich Operatic Society.

42nd Street

Robert Wright

30th January 2007 - EDP

Apart from the war years the Norfolk and Norwich Operatic Society has put on a production every year since 1925. It is therefore fitting that this year's show is set in the New York Theatre-land of 1933.

It is a stunning production with so much talent both on the stage and in the orchestra.

Playing Peggy is Hannah Wilson, and what a lovely personality she portrayed in this role. She captured the naivety of youth but showed strength and determination in wanting to succeed. Her combined talents of dancing, singing and acting were a joy to watch.

The 'wicked witch' character was Dorothy, played bby Linda Campbell. She did a wonderful job of being the self-opinionated 'star' but she had a great singing voice to throw in.

Maggie (Laura Marvell) was a character of her own. Not one to argue wth and certainly a stage prescence to match. The role of Julian marsh was performed by Greg Fitch. He certainly showed he was in charge. I was especially moved when he beautifully sang 'Lullaby of Broadway' which led up to an exciting crescendo when the rest of the cast came on stage.

The scene changes were slick and smooth and the set was highly imaginative with terrific use of lighting. Although the stage was often packed with the cast in colourful costumes it was never overcrowded. Quite a feat in choreography.

The show is packed with many toe-tapping favourites including 42nd Street, We'reIn The Money and You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me. You will also enjpoy plenty of humour in the many one-liners and at the other end of the scale you will see the raw emotion of life. Dorothy and Peggy's duet in About A Quarter To Nine summed this up when hatred turned to forgiveness and ultimately Dorothy wishing Peggy success.

What an exciting and spectacular show.

Oklahoma

JACQUELINE BRIGGS

24 January 2006 15:18

> Norwich Theatre Royal

Did you know that January 23 was supposed to be the most depressing day of the year? A perfect antidote was my visit to the Norfolk and Norwich Operatic Society's production of Oklahoma!

A packed audience at the Theatre Royal were treated to a marvellous show with a first rate cast who acted and sang their socks off.

Chris Dilley was an energetic and believable Curly and Sarah Pryde sang Laurey's role beautfully. Christine Mullord shone in the warm, human role of Aunt Eller, and Stephanie Moore (Ado Annie) and Paul Woodhouse (Will Parker) were very funny as the sparring cowboy and flighty Miss he wishes to marry.

I was very impressed by Tony Joslin's wonderful turn as Ali Hakim, he's a natural and very funny comedian.

Huw Jones' deep voice and air of menace as Jud Fry really chilled the audience, quite properly (he's an arsonist and a murderer - heavy stuff for a musical), and step forward Ray Jeffery, director and choreographer and Jenny Bugg, dance captain; the dance routines were superb and gorgeously costumed.

The saloon gals of Agnes de Mille's dream ballet deserve a special mention as well - their macabre dance to “I'm Just A Girl Who Can't Say No” was quite spine-tingling and it was a pleasure to listen to the orchestra who were pitched perfectly for the theatre. Some of the amplified singing was a shade too loud and some of the words gabbled, so it was occasionally difficult to hear Oscar Hammerstein's superb lyrics, but these are minor complaints, because the Society has triumphed with yet another great show.

Banish the blues and see Oklahoma!

Oklahoma! runs until Saturday, January 28. Contact the box office on Norwich (01603) 630000 or visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk for tickets.