As Bobby, Paul Longhurst was the archetypal show man, dialogue and comedy delivered with timing and panache. Vocally, he mastered the known and not so well known numbers from a score which required him to sing more than half the numbers. This was no mean feat as most of those numbers also incorporated dance and tap routines, which whilst not being Paul’s strongest suit, he certainly did himself justice.
Cathy Longhurst, made a superb Polly, demonstrating her vocal talents from the enchanting ‘Someone to Watch Over Me’ to the all out ‘I Got Rhythm’. With six other song and dance routines this was a slick performance, made all the more remarkable considering she stepped in at only two days notice!
But the show really succeeded with the depth of ability and energy evident in the character roles, dancing line up and chorus singing. Anne Lovell, perfectly odious as Bobby’s rejected fiancée, Irene, and Chris Bassett, thick headed as the token bad guy Lank Hawkins were just two among a plethora of well executed characterisations. The dancing girls tapped their toes off to Fran Reynolds choreography, the excellences of which were slightly restricted by the size of the stage, and the whole company positively burst their lungs under the direction of Michael Burbidge’s baton.
Sympathetic lighting, beautiful costumes and well designed sets combined to give a stunning visual, and if the occasional upstage noise and offset mike can be forgiven, then, the delights of this show which had passed me by on previous occasions hit me smack between the eyes this time round. Well done OOS for a most entertaining performance.
Production: CRAZY FOR YOU
Company: Oxted Operatic
Director: Robert Stevens
MD: Michael Burbidge
Choreographer: Fran Reynolds
Venue: Barn Theatre, Oxted
Dates: 18-22 April 2006
Review by: Peter J Reed (Thursday 20 April)
With husband Paul playing the lead role of Bobby Child, Cathy Longhurst decided she would just take a small role in Crazy for You in the latest production by Oxted Operatic. The part of Tess was mostly dancing which seemed a good way to improve her fitness. Fate however, decided otherwise as at the Sunday dress rehearsal, Clare Tibbalds, playing the lead as Polly, slipped over on the stage and was too badly hurt to be able to continue. There was no understudy and Cathy was asked to take on the part – with only 2 days before the First Night, her own part being taken by the Choeographer, Fran Reynolds.
It was an incredible performance in this wonderful Gershwin musical with songs like Shall We Dance, Someone to Watch Over Me and I Got Rhythm.all delivered with such perfection that it seemed impossible after only two days intensive rehearsal. Fortunately they were often duets with her husband Paul, so they could at least practice at home.
Paul’s performance was wonderful, excellent tap and other dance routines, often with a full team of chorines (blonde dancers) in best Hollywood tradition. The story is where Bobby, trying to save an old theatre in Nevada, pretends to be a famous Broadway impresario and brings in a full Broadway dancing team to put on a show with local cowboys as the male chorus.. His make-up as Belan Langer was so good no one realises he is in fact a Banker sent down to foreclose on lease of the theatre and sell it for re-development.
Which is great until the real Zangler, played by Paul Robinson, turns up to see the famous old theatre, before it is pulled down. Bobby has meanwhile fallen in love with the grandaughter of the theatre owner, a love reciprocated by Polly who of course thinks he is Zangler. When she sees both she is totally confused as she finds Bobby, without his disguise, unattractive and Zangler has his own girlfriend Tess (the role taken over by Fran Reynolds) There was a wonderful scene where both men, very drunk, face each other with Bobby pretending to be a mirror image.
John Harris made a gentle old grandfather for Polly reminiscing on when her mother used to perform in the theatre, there was super male chorus of cowboys and a villainous Saloon keeper, played by Chris Bassett, who wants to get the theatre site to expand his bar.
The show is all set to go on and at a rehearsal there is a wonderful performance of Slap That Bass with an instrument made from a tea chest, rake handle and cord. So perfect the timing it was difficult to believe the real sound was coming from the orchestra. The Musical Director, Michael Burbidge (who also played keyboard) did a wonderful job, both with the singers and musicians.
They had a show but no audience except an English couple writing a guide book (Marcus Ridley and Catherine Wyncoll) but then the real Zangler uses his publicity organisation and full houses means the theatre is saved. Superb production by Robert Stevens the Director, brilliant scenery designed and built by the Company with very fast changes and wonderful props.
Derrick Graham
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