The Reporter and Broadcast May 8 2008

Last week Saffron Walden Town Hall came alive to the rockin' sounds of Elvis as the Saffron Walden Musical Theatre Company Youth Group staged one of the first UK performances of a new musical, All Shook Up.

This supremly talented group brought glorious life to a story loosely based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.  A complex tale of confused and confusing loving couples, disguises, and mistaken identities unfolded as delighted audiences found themselves entranced by James Hedges' charismatic portrayal of Chad, a leather-clad, tight-jeaned roustabout, whose love of life (and music) literally transforms the monochrome world of the repressed townsfolk he meets for ever.

Quality performances abounded from fellow leads Elizabeth Rowe as Natalie, Emily Day as Sylvia, Emma Mansfield as Miss Sandra and Anthony Cork as Jim, all of whose characters' lives were turned upside down by Chad.

Fine support also came from the perfectly cast Lorraine and Dean as portrayed by Sue Woodhouse and Jesse Fox, whose 'forbidden love' caused much amusing angst in Mayor Mathilda Hyde played by Danielle Cross and a pitch perfect comic performance from Ed Johnson as Sheriff Earl.

Special mention must be made of Sam Smith whose portrayal of Dennis was excellent, showcasing his soulful singing voice, his accomplished acting skills and fine sense of comic timing.

Added to this there was a 31 strong chorus on top form! 

The band, too, were superb delivering 25 classic Elvis numbers.  A spectacular Can't Help Falling in Love at the finale of Act 1 combining music and voice to overwhelming emotional effect, left not a dry eye in the house!

All credit to taleted former Youth Group member Susanna Cork who, aged 19, became director, musical director and choreographer for the first time.  Each performance earned a well deserved standing ovation!  Here's to next year's show!

Review by Alan Caldwell

 

Youngsters rise to meet challenge of musical

In recent years shows by the Operatic Society's youth group have set a very high standard indeed.  Could that standard really be maintained with a piece as sophisticated and demanding as My Fair Lady?

We take for granted imaginative and ingenious sets (well done, John Wigmore and team), innumerable and sparkling costumes from Parma Jacobs, competent musicians under Dennis Wright and good lighting and sound from Simon Bates and Adrian Hare and their teams.  But could the group bring off the very varied chorus numbers, and above all could they find at least half a dozen lead players who have the necessary acting and singing skills?

Of course they could! From first to last we enjoyed a show of remarkable slickness, pace and energy, with never a dull spot.  The crowd scenes were full of clever ideas and, despite the smallness of the stage and the numbers on it, the skillful choreography of Gemma Holman created picture act delightful picture.

Among chorus numbers, the servants in Poor Professor Higgins were a highlight.  And it was pleasant to see that among the smallest and youngest on stage there were those who will have no difficulty in filling main roles in the future.

But this musical, based on Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, has its more serious side, concerned with relationships between the classes and the sexes, and needs much more than good song and dance numbers: it needs actors that can register change and development. And there they were.

Zoe Cave was exactly right as the at first sceptical but finally sympathetic Mrs Higgins and Victoria Gant brought authority and warmth to housekeeper Mrs Pearce.

Among the men, Jesse Fox sang delightfully and precisely captured the lovelorn Freddy.  Adam Hedges was completely believable as the coalman - philsopher and Ed Johnson was at home with Colonel Pickering's good mannered dry humour.  Everything though, depends on your Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins.

Susanna Cork's Eliza went from Cockney flower seller to society belle with apparent ease - and then changed gear brilliantly to show her sad disillusionment.  Her performance was beautifully contrasted with that of Simon Wedlock's Henry Higgins, who moved fluently from ill-mannered arrogance to something approaching shamefaced self knowledge.

His last song - I've Grown Acustomed to Her Face - was poignantly done, and their long final dialogue made the audience listen - and think: no mean feat in a musical.

There were outstanding performances.  Directors Janice Wright and Katherine Hare are to be congratulated on maintaining the high standards of this remarkable group.  And Janice and Dennis Wright, who say this will be their last show with the group, are to be thanked for their 17 years of unstinting effort that has given hundreds of youngsters a chance to tread the boards - and the audiences hundreds of hours of first class entertainment.

That's Fair Play

By Jove, they've done it!  Saffron Walden Amateur Operatic Society Youth Group's production of My Fair Lady is another feather in the cap for this talented company.

From the stars of the show to the many members of the chorus, everyone acquitted themselves superbly.  Where a town the size of Saffron Walden finds such a well of talent year after year remains a wonderful mystery. 

In the central roles of Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle, Simon Wedlock and Susanna Cork simply stole the show on Tuesday at the Town Hall.  In the wrong hands Higgins could easily come across as a hateful oaf, but Wedlock imbued the character with an utterly irresistible charm.  Combined with terrific comic timing and a splendid deep simging voice, his was a performance of supreme quality. 

Cork was also magnificent, with her exquisite vocals the jewel in a glittering crown of an all-round performance.  She littered the musical with highlights, including a laugh-out-loud Royal Ascot scene and an equally mirthsome exchange with the twittering Freddy (Jesse Fox).

While the action revolved around Higgins and Eliza, there was still opportunities for others to shine, not least the aforementioned Fox.  His character seemed to spend an inordinate amount of time loitering outside Eliza's door singing On the Street Where You Live, but what a brilliant rendition.

Elsewhere, Adam Hedges as Eliza's father, Alfred, had the two real show-stopping  tunes in the shape of With a Little Bit of Luck and I'm Getting Married in the Morning.  He did a magnificent job on both, with the not inconsiderable help of a high-kicking chorus superbly choreographed by Gemma Holman.

Directors Katherine Hare and Dennis and Janice Wright had done splendidly, and it is to the final two members of that trio that the main plaudits must go.  After 17 years producing hit shows for the youth group, My Fair Lady is their last and it represents a fitting swan song.

Toby Allanson, Observer May 3, 2007

Looking for success on the west side

SAFFRON Walden Amateur Operatic Society Youth Group is hoping to match the success of its last show Les Miserables with new production West Side Story. The group, which was out in full costume on Saturday in the town's Market Square, won best production of 2005 in area seven of the National Operatic and Dramatic Association's eastern region for Les Miserables. Stars of that show, including James Gant and Susannah Cork, are returning in lead roles in West Side Story. The production will be staged at the town hall from May 2 until May 6, with curtain up at 7.30pm. Tickets range from £6 to £12 and are on sale at Saffron Walden Library or on 01799 502080.

20 April 2006

Hugely entertaining trip to the West Side

WEST Side Story hit the Saffron Walden stage in a fiesta of memorable songs, sharp music, marvellous choreography and a healthy helping of cheese. The Saffron Walden Amateur Operatic Society Youth Group's hugely entertaining adaptation of the Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim musical was another triumph for the company, in what is now a rapidly growing list. There were numerous splendid performances. After years of consistency, James Gant's name is pretty much synonymous with excellence and his turn as doomed hero Tony was no exception. His singing voice, especially on the big numbers, was absolutely outstanding and worth the entrance money alone. He did occasionally drift dangerously close to "hamming" up his performance, but given the ridiculously overblown melodrama of the plot, this was hardly out of keeping with the production. Gant had magnificent chemistry with his co-star Susanna Cork (Maria), another performer who looks destined for grander stages than Saffron Walden Town Hall. In a show that was sometimes too friendly real and welcome menace was provided by Adam Hedges as Bernardo, the leader of The Sharks. His Puerto Rican accent was on the money, as was Kelly Clare's, who shone as girlfriend Anita. Simon Wedlock oozed moxie as The Jets' head honcho Riff, while Sian Newman delivered the most moving moment of the night with her perfectly measured solo rendition of Somewhere, the musical's high point.

Choreographer Gemma Holman worked wonders, especially on the ensemble songs when the stage heaved under the sheer weight of numbers, all seemingly moving perfectly in time. Musical directors Daniel Rouse and Dennis Wright also did a splendid job with the complicated, jazzy score and did justice to West Side Story's undoubted strength, the many wonderful songs. The less said about the story, especially its ghastly conclusion, the better. Directors Janice Wright and Katherine Hare have laid on another production that only enhances the society's already glowing reputation.

11 May 2006

Teens not miserable at chance to join show

SAFFRON Walden Amateur Operatic Society Youth Group's production of Les Miserables was good enough for the West End and now two of its stars are to tread the boards at one of the capital's most prestigious theatres to mark the musical's 20th anniversary. Before the curtain goes down on Saturday's birthday performance at the Queen's Theatre, 17-year-old James Gant and 16-year-old Susanna Cork will join the cast and 33 other talented youngsters for a specially devised finale. The evening will be even more memorable for James and Susanna because they have been chosen to play two of the lead roles for the finale. James will reprise his triumphant turn, Valjean, while Susanna will play Fantine. Both will have solo spots. Proceedings will be brought to a dramatic conclusion when the young performers will be joined by the current West End cast for a rousing grand finale. James was thrilled at the prospect of performing in front of an invited audience of VIPs, including former stars of the show and producer Cameron Mackintosh. He said: "At the moment, I'm more excited than nervous. We've just had the dress rehearsal and I had to pinch myself when I was on stage just to believe I was there."

06 October 2005