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Oklahoma! Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham *** ONE of the biggest cheers from the first night audience at this Rodgers & Hammerstein classic musical was reserved for Vas Constanti, and he wasn't one of the macho cowboys or farmers on America's Western frontier. He plays Persian pedlar Ali Hakim, a man with an eye for the ladies and an aversion for their fathers' double barrelled shotguns, and he delivered the comedy superbly. Hakim finds himself on the run from the man-hungry Ado Annie (Michelle Crook) and her suspicious dad in the story of conflict between farmers and cattlemen, while the main thrust of the story features the on-off love between handsome cowboy Curly and pretty Laurey. Mark Evans sings and acts well as Curly, with tiny Gemma Sutton a convincing Laurey, while Marti Webb plays Aunt Eller with all the expected skill. This is not, however, the best production of Oklahoma I have seen. Part of the problem is that, in trying to put over the Americanised accents, some of the cast make it very difficult for the audience to grasp what they are saying. And Pete Gallagher, playing the scruffy villain Jud Fry, overdoes the gruff, growling voice. One of the highlights is the excellent dream sequence at the end of the first act in which the dancing is excellent. Oklahoma! runs to Saturday night 29.05.10. Paul Marston |
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