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The stage direction by Clive Walker was first rate. The set was good - I liked the docks set stage right - as were the properties. Jo Wilding's choreography was perfect for the show; lots of 'knees up' type dancing and very well executed by the cast.
The orchestra under the direction of Stephen Hale played tunefully and mostly at the right level for the performers with just a couple of exceptions. The chorus singing was very good indeed and brimming with vitality.
Sandra Jones portrayed Kate as a strong, able woman, eager to help her less capable factory friends, and the softer side of her character came through to reveal her feelings for Joe. Her difficulty in choosing between the two was well pointed in the second act. Sandra has good stage presence and her acting and singing were praiseworthy. As her somewhat errant boyfriend Joe, Peter Wood displayed a super singing voice and good acting. There was an obvious rapport between them on stage.
I could hardly recognize Aileen Smith, a complete transformation from Lady Jacqueline in your last production, and I really enjoyed her gutsy performance as Polly. Tudor Jones gave a confident performance as Perce, and the quartet 'Men' with Kate, Polly and Joe was delightful.
With so many named matchgirls it would be difficult to comment on each. They all played their parts well with Mrs Purkiss, Louie and Jessie being especially worthy of mention. Dawn Wilson epitomized the tough East End factory worker, Sarah Poore made a waiflike charmer out of her role and Connie Law gave a self-assured performance as Jessie trying her utmost to steal Joe away from Kate.
The girls’ champion, Annie Besant, was played as rather less of a firebrand than I imagined her to be, and although Maggie Dean looked imposing, her libretto, whilst very clear, was not delivered with quite enough conviction. Ian Thomas could also have added more importance to the role of George Bernard Shaw.
The remaining supporting cast all gave creditable performances and sang heartily which added greatly to the bustling crowd scenes.
The stage crew worked efficiently and the sound was good. David Walters’s atmospheric lighting was exceptionally good.
The ladies’ costumes were fine, if a little too clean, and the same can be said for the dockers’ ones. Some of the men’s footwear was unsuitable as they would have all had black boots in the late 1800's, but the overall impression created was good. Kate would probably not have had such a lovely matching outfit as the one she wore when she visited Annie Besant, and for Annie a change of costume would have been nice in the second act. These are just small negative points in what was a splendid show.
Your substantial programme is most attractive and full of interest. Have you thought of entering it into the N.O.D.A programme and poster competition ?
Front of house were efficient and my guest and I were well looked after by John Tranter and Jo-Maree Courtney. (Well done with the Scottish accent !)
Thank you for inviting me to see your commendable production. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
E.Gloria Smith
N.O.D.A Regional Representative.
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