Formerly known as Maghull Amateur Operatic Society
Location:
42nd Street
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Performed at The Little Theatre,
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NODA Nominations Best Choreography (Gaynor Hale) |
Show photos one | two | three | four
Order a copy of the CD of all the show photos - Note these are for viewing on a PC Only...
Cast
(In order of appearance)
Andy Lee (Dance Director) ........................ Jason Davenhill
Joyce (Rehearsal Pianist)................................ Joyce Perrin
Maggie Jones ........................................ Christine McCabe
BertBarry ................................................. Tony Adamson
Mac (Stage Manager) .................................... Ian Culshaw
Phyllis Dale ................................................ Gill Thornton
Lorraine Flemming ........................................... Sally Lane
Diane (Gladys) Lorimer .................................... Janet Rose
Ann (Anytime Annie) Reilly .......................... Sarah Culshaw
Ethel .......................................................... Sandra Heap
Billy Lawler .................................................. Matt Casson
Peggy Sawyer................................................ Laura Fegan
Julian Marsh ............................................. Adrian Roberts
Dorothy Brock ................................................. Elaine Cox
Abner Dillon .............................................. Jim Donaldson
Pat Denning ................................................. John Clinton
Waiter ........................................................... Joe Perree
Thugs ..................................... Eric Fletcher & Philip Makin
Doctor ......................................................... Ian Culshaw
The Company
Thelma Adamson, Clare Cooke, Gill Culshaw, Ian Culshaw,
Laura Ellis, Eric Fletcher, *Rachael Fortune-Grant,
*Rebecca Gavin, *Sophie Grant, Betty Hall,
*Sandra Heap, Carol Kennedy, Danielle Lyon,
Philip Makin, Alex McKillop, Rita Morgan, *Victoria Oxley,
*Jacqui Padden, Joe Perree, Joyce Perrin, *Audrey Russell,
Thomas Salzano, Mark Wilson, *Becca Wooder
*Dancers
For MMTC
Director........................................................... Neil Townsend
Musical Director .................................................. John Boydell
Choreographer...................................................... Gaynor Hale
Dance Captain .................................................. Sarah Culshaw
Production Co-Ordinator ........................................... Betty Hall
Rehearsal Pianists ............. Hilary Burgoyne & Andrew Stavenden
Stage Manager ............................................... Andrew Connard
Stage Crew ......... Laura MacDonald, Pete Beswick, Michael Clarke,
Les Gommersall,
Jon McMullen, Danny McKillop, Stephen Thornton
& Eric Fletcher
Flyman .............................................................. Colin Haynes
Props................................................................... Becky Clark
Costumes ................................. Excel Theatre Costumes, Bacup
Wigs............................................................... Bromley's Crew
Continuity........................ Becky & Isobel Clark and Pam Ashcroft
Scenery designed & painted by ................................. Ian Wilson
Constructed and supplied by ................. Albemarle Scenic Studios
Resourcing Properties .......................... Tony & Thelma Adamson
Ticket Secretaries ......................................... Dave & Elaine Cox
Front of House ........... Mary Banks (Manager) and Friends of MMTC
Programme Design ................................................ Ian Culshaw
Publicity ......................................... Members of the Committee
Photography …....................................… Becky Clark & Dave Cox
FOR THE LITTLE THEATRE
Sound… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … Bernie Howat
Lighting … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … Tony Berry
I enjoyed Maghull’s production of 42nd Street quite as much as the version I saw in London at the Drury Lane Theatre in 1985.
Often described as the best offstage musical, 42nd Street is set in 1930’s America after the Great Depression and follows the fortunes of a drama company going on the road with a new musical, ‘Pretty Lady’.
Elaine Cox was superb in the Shani Wallis role of Dorothy, the fading star who breaks her ankle, leaving the way clear for the young ingénue, Peggy Sawyer, to take her place; Laura Fegan showed great poise and talent as Peggy who takes Broadway by storm.
Adrian Roberts took the Frankie Vaughan part of Julian Marsh with a perfect interpretation of the hardheaded businessman who is the show’s promoter. He also gave an impressive interpretation of a seasoned Rat Pack vocalist.
Jim Donaldson in the comic role of Abner Dillon, Dorothy’s sugar daddy, looked like a refugee from Crocodile Dundee whilst Matt Casson and John Clinton were the lovesick follwers of Pegy and Dorothy respectively.
Highlight of the night was the rendition of ‘Lullaby of Broadway,’ which is actually the only memorable song in the whole show, but 42nd Street is a hit because the sum of its parts is greater than individual numbers or performances. It wins by virtue of its spectacular tap dancing, exuberant singing, colourful costumes and all-round vitality.
In all these categories, MMTC came up trumps for which praise must go to director Neil Townsend, music director John Boydell and choreographer Gaynor Hale. Plus, of course, the excellent cast of singers and dancers who made it such an exhilarating evening.
Only one gripe. Why was the dry ice machine belching out clouds of smoke for most of the evening, for no apparent reason, enveloping the cast in a thin mist and causing choking members of the audience to reach for their Strepsils?
Finally, like the recent Birkdale Orpheus production of ‘My Fair Lady’, this is a show that would have been better staged at the Arts Centre, if only because the high viewing position there is more suitable for the audience to appreciate the kaleidoscopic Busby Berkeley-style dance routines.
However, the escalating charges at the council-run venue, like those at Crosby Civic Hall, have risen out of the reach of amateur drama companies. Yet surely these are the very people, local talent, that such places were originally meant to accommodate.
Champ Verdict 3.5 out of 5 - superb.
Review by Ron Ellis
NODA Review
42ND STREET
Maghull Musical Theatre Company
I will start this review with my sincere congratulations to the director, from whom I expect nothing less than excellence, to the choreographer who did a superb job, to the musical director for giving a super. mellow sound from the pit, and to a cast that all three can be proud of.
Here we had a set I cannot remember having seen before. It worked except for a couple of blips and the show was well lit.
Instead of the lit dressing room mirrors for 'There's a Sunny Side to Every Situation', we had the chorus depressed, as they should be, hanging around the racks of costumes.
For me, it worked and I bet the stage crew were happy, too. Julian Marsh was played by Adrian Roberts. This was the best role I have seen him in for some time.
Peggy Sawyer was played by a young lady who has improved so much, a very good performance from Laura Fegan.
The role of Dorothy Brock was played by Elaine Cox and again, a better performance than I have seen for some time.
Matt Casson's Billy Lawlor was just right. I also enjoyed the performance of Sarah Culshaw whose Anytime Annie was spot on.
Her duet with Tony Adamson, who played Bert Barry, was very good indeed.
Leading the chorus girls and befriending Peggy, we had Lorraine Flemming (Sally), Gill Thornton (Phyllis) and Janet Rose (Gladys), all three adding to what was a good chorus line.
There were two other performances that stood out; Jason Davenhill with his dancing ability as Andy Lee, and a brilliant performance from Christine McCabe as Maggie Jones.
This show was one of the society's best. Well done to everyone concerned.
Colin Magenty