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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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Copacabana Youth Onstage The Old Rep *** FOR their tenth anniversary production,
Youth Onstage have chosen Barry Manilow's musical about an aspiring
young song writer who falls for a wannabe night club star, and the young
cast make a big impression. Despite a few problems with the sound equipment
on opening night they delighted the audience with the quality of their
singing and dancing, Trudi Ford's choreography lighting up the stage at
times. Dominic Harris, who has appeared on the X-Factor,
gives a remarkable performance as Stephen, ambitious to write a hit
musical while creating a song about Lola la Mar and imagining he is
tending a bar in the famous Copacabana night club. It's Dominic's seventh and final appearance with
Youth Onstage before studying at Birmingham School of Acting, and he
should go on to achieve his ambition for a showbiz career. Hannah Brook is excellent as Lola, James Hudson
proves a commanding figure as Italian gangster, Rico - a role he stepped
into just three weeks ago - and Eleanor Snowdon performs well as the
crook's ageing girlfriend, Conchita Alvarez. Costumes are impressive in a lively show directed
by Deb Brook with Chris Corcoran's musical direction. To 12.05.12 Paul Marston |
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