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Stars explained: * A production of no real merit
with failings in all areas. ** A production showing evidence of not
enough time or effort, or even talent, and which never breathes any real
life into the piece – or a show lumbered with a terrible script. *** A
good enjoyable show which might have some small flaws but has largely
achieved what it set out to do.**** An excellent show which shows a
great deal of work and stage craft with no noticeable or major
flaws.***** A four star show which has found that extra bit of magic
which lifts theatre to another plane. |
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Gold stars all round for class act
All girls together: Sarah Cotter, Jess Ingram and Jodie Hopwood are standing firm, while Karrise Willetts stretches her legs. St Trinian's – The Musical Highbury Youth Theatre Highbury Theatre Centre, Sutton Coldfield *** THIS is a brave and heart-warming
production in which director Jane Mason has coaxed the best out of her
youthful charges – and their best has been produced because they have
given it their all, sometimes against cruel odds in a world in which it
sometimes seems there is no justice. They ensure that St
Trinian's retains its tearaway reputation by devoting themselves to the
task of stealing a priceless picture –
The Last Brunch – which they hope will
stave off the bailiffs for a little while. Pigtails are not in evidence, but the skirts were
clearly produced during a shortage of material and the indomitable
spirit which Ronald Searle inculcated into this doughty emporium of
little learning lives on. And yes, this is the musical version. St
Trinian's comes a-trillling, to pleasing and often amusing effect. There's a cast of thousands. Well, nearly.
Thirty, to be more or less precise, and the teamwork that is the feature
of the show is clearly in evidence.
Karrise Willetts, pouting perfectly, makes Sarah
an irresistible reminder of Posh Spice, Jess Ingram is a bundle of
energy as Becky, and Millie Farrelly scores appealingly as Trixie. James Cutajar is an understandably frustrated
quizmaster, and Greg Hayes is Samuel, the staff member who cannot resist
the manly charms of headmistress Camilla Fritton, played with
show-stealing confidence by Roddy Lynch. Their Love is in the Air
duet is a winner all the way, with the flamboyant Miss Fritton
gallumphing to and fro with the unstoppability of John Sergeant at his
finest. There is a saucy reference by one of the boys
(from St Iscariot's Catholic School) to his package, and one of the
memorable lines is “Calm down, Pumpkin”, reminiscent of Michael Winner,
insurance-flogger. And yes, the music. It is well handled, both in solo
mode and by a quartet of girls who provide intermittent pleasing
interludes. It would be good to come comprehensively to the
task of commending the cast, but there are just too many – too many
young people working like stink and giving their all to a team spirit
that never falters. They all deserve a medal. To 09.07.11. John Slim |
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