Some thoughts about Carousel.
I have been watching PVADS productions for a long time now and have seen
most of the more recent productions. I have to say that my wife and I thought
that this was the best we have seen for a long time. Carousel is not the easiest
of musicals, it was never a hit as a film and is not revived very often on
stage. Among the reasons for this, I think, is the shortage of good songs
and no real room for character development, so that it is hard for an audience
to really engage with the characters. So it was very brave of PVADS to take
it on.
Well my wife and I thought that it was
excellent. The costumes were up to the always high standards you come
to expect in Pewsey and, although the same applies to the sets, on this occasion
we thought that they added a brightness and vivacity above the usual. They
blended well with the action and added to the atmosphere. Billy
Bigelow was excellent. His acting was subtlety understated and his singing
was confident and direct. When he was on stage on his own singing he was well
able to fill it by his presence.
Julie ( I know she was played by my daughter) had a touching blend of innocence
and strength that made her romance with Billy credible and her accent never
faltered. When Billy died I have to confess there was a tear in my eye and
I know this was true of others for they told me so. Simone Lay was also
very good as Carrie Pipperidge, Julie's friend and made the most of a smallish
part with her energy. I thought that
Pauline Day's rendition of "June is Busting Out All Over" was a
highlight and on the night I attended she had to sing an encore. The energy
and enthusiasm she brought to this number is what musicals are all about.
Plus she has a very good voice. I just can't wait to hear her sing,"
I'm Just a Girl Who Can't Say No" if PVADS ever do my favourite musical
OKLAHOMA!
Although accents varied from New Jersey to New Orleans I don't
think this mattered a lot. The best of English actors can struggle with an
American accent. The remainder of the
cast were very good and brought a real warm picnic atmosphere to the clambake
scene in particular. Thanks to the Producer, cast and backstage for a good
night out.
Review submitted by Brian Davidson
(30/10/01) ***********************************************************
We came we saw and we were impressed.
We think that this was probably the best performance we have seen. The whole
cast seemed to enjoy themselves and individual performances were excellent.
Well done to you all.
Review submitted by Peter & Sue Sheppard (30/10/01)
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STAR REVIEW ***
I had the great pleasure in
attending Pewsey Amateur Dramatics' performance of Carousel last week, with
my mother. We also took our next door neighbour. I am a singing coach, having
performed all over the world professionally, and my mother was an actor on
the West End stage, and has played opposite such actors as Laurence Olivier.
The reason I say this is because you inevitably look with a professional eye
when attending productions, even amateur ones!
This was in the event, a fantastic production, and I say this in the true
sense of the word. Both my mother and I had to keep reminding ourselves that
we were watching a production of an amateur company. The set designs first
of all were inspired, and together with the costumes, provided for wonderfully
colourful scenes throughout. The principal
singers were well casted, and coped with some demanding songs incredibly well.
Carousel is a very difficult musical to stage, and everyone involved in this
production should be very satisfied at a job well done. It is testament to
how well the emotion of Carousel was conveyed by the cast to the audience
that there were so many tearful groups talking about the performance afterwards.
I heard a number of people who clearly attend all the PVADS productions say
that this was the society’s best performance and production by far.
I was left feeling that it was a great pity
that such a great show could not be taken elsewhere into the wider community
such as Marlborough and Swindon.
We shall certainly be coming to future productions, and so will my neighbour,
and I hope that the community of Pewsey supports the efforts of the society,
as it is only with their support that this very talented group will be able
to survive.