51 Shades of Maggie @ Darlington Civic

Okay, for most people, 50 Shades of Grey was a wonderfully liberating, if somewhat naughty book which allowed women across the country to spend their lunchtimes at work escaping into the realms of erotic BDSM without having to hide the book inside a copy of Womens Realm.  I have not read it, nor any of the many spin offs and knock offs that sprung up in a 'summer of sin' but I know those who have so I took a couple of them with me to see this one woman show which takes the 50 Shades themes and rams them deep into the back alleys of the East End.

Firstly, Adele Silva, who for many is the brattish teen from Emmerdale, shows that she is a truly gifted actress - she can sing, she can dance, can cover many different accents and characters and has impeccable comic timing.  Whilst the story she was retelling didn't ring many bells for me, the way she brought each character to life was undeniably brilliant.  It is easy to see why this show has sold out so many venues - I found myself thinking of the Godbar play Bouncers and the way that brings real life front & centre.

Now, the story - well it's almost your typical girl meets boy, girl falls in love, girl realises that this an isn't for her and returns to the fold of her friends and kind - I said 'almost' a typical story as the focus very rapidly shifts to whips, chains, blindfolds and submissiveness.  There is a very funny gypsy party and a hilarious if somewhat cringe worthy encounter in the dole office.  What Silva does is ensure that her main character, Maggie, never loses her grounding, helped throughout by a smattering of non-expletive words amongst the swearing, cursing and 'chav-talk'.  This is certainly NOT a show for anyone who is easily offended by 'industrial' language, especially when spoken by a beautiful and demure lead, but it's possibly more shocking because deep down everyone knows that Maggie is stereotypical of so many young women (think TOWIE when the cameras stop rolling).

Ms Silva only breaks character once, prompted by the audiences reactions to a rather graphic statement featuring John McCririck, showing that underneath the coarse and brash persona of Maggie lies a brilliant actress who, for almost 2 hours, has solely and totally owned the stage.

Would I recommend this show, yes if you are a group of girls looking for a laugh filled evening, yes if you are a fan of character acting and want to see a young lady performing some of the very best, yes if you enjoy lifting up the dirty sheets of modern culture to see what is still there from the night before - just go prepared !

Last Night of Strictly Musicals by Darlington Operatic Society

"One Day More......"

So, here we are, heading into the last show of the run, a show which has given so many people a fabulous night out, revisited old favourites and introduced new shows.  For those who have been following these blogs, you will know by now that Strictly Musicals is a smorgasbord of musical theatre barely letting the audience settle from one great number before hitting them again with another.  Chatting to some of last nights visitors, they were particularly impressed by the youthfulness of the cast, one wag stating that there's no way anyone over 30 could perform in this as it's too energetic.... well, I'll let you make your own minds up, but I think there may be a few on stage tonight who will be quite delighted to be grouped into that age demographic.

It's true that Strictly does showcase the younger members more than usual, but, with so many opportunities to share the spotlight, Joanne Hand and Michael Trotter were able to explore everyone's talents and give them a chance to shine.  There is actually a wonderful blend across the cast which, even in the short numbers is essential to give depth to the production, as an example Fran Hague gives a hard-worn belief to "Living on the Never Never" which wouldn't be there if sung by a teenager.

What is very encouraging is the way that the younger members have tackled the traditional songs with just as much vigour as the more modern numbers; Naomi Potts, as Nettie Folwer sings "June is busting out all over" and gives the audience a real sense that indeed, warm weather is just outside; Andrew Hamilton and Laura Rowlands duet on "Shall we Dance" is a magical blend of voices and a great example of their ranges - Andrew also takes a lead in both Barnum and Les Mis, Laura is a delightful Mary Poppins in Spoonful of Sugar, while Natasha Magee continues the King & I theme with a brilliantly acted cameo of a nervous Anna in "Whenever I Feel Afraid".

Continuing with the conversation about the age of the cast at full time, one number, above all others, stood out and really summed up the current DarlingtonOS - 'Our Time' from Merrily We Roll Along.  Female leads Megan Robson and Georgina Cornelius, together with a host of other younger members, left us in no uncertainty "We're the movers, we're the shapers, we're the names in tomorrow's papers".  A true insight into the future of DOS, and what a very healthy future it is,  Megan and Georgina are perfect examples of the depth of talent throughout the society.  With future leading men Hamish Sams and Ethan Hurworth both keeping the current top boys on their toes,the competition for future shows will be intense and that can only be good for everyone.

So, that brings me to the last number of the last show - for those of you who have been and seen you will know what a breathtaking spectacular it is, audiences have been on the edge of their seats desperate to get up and join in.  As the cast demand of Joanne Harker and Joanne Mason "Come on you Vantussles go and shake your fanny muscles" (and, after 10 shows, the two Jo's have the best fanny muscles on stage) so if you're going tonight then take your cue from the cast and give it everything you've got - after all "You Can't Stop the Beat!"

http://www.darlingtonoperaticsociety.org.uk/ 

Darlington Operatic Society Strictly Musicals Finale @ Darlington Civic

“You’re the names in tomorrow’s papers”

And so, after months of preparation, weeks of rehearsals and hours of dancing feet, Darlington Operatic Society signed off their 10 night run of Strictly Musicals to a huge standing ovation.  The rapturous applause and heart-felt cheering will ring long into the night and beyond, well deserved by everyone involved in what surely must be their best loved show ever.  Not only has there been something to suit all tastes in the audience, the whole cast have had a rare chance to star in a show in which each & everyone has had a major part to play.

Right at the start of this journey, I was invited by Joanne Hand & Julian Cound to come along and watch some of the rehearsals.  At that time, back when the days were long and the school hall hot & sweaty, it was difficult to imagine just how spectacular the end result was going to be – well difficult for me, but Joanne’s experience and expertise meant that once the individual numbers were set, learned and perfected the show would most certainly become greater than just a sum of its parts.  Considering that at times there were 47 people on stage, Jo’s planning and directions needed military precision to ensure everyone ended up where they needed to be, when they needed to be there and were still singing and dancing along the way.  Those who have been to see Strictly will surely agree that they have witnessed direction and choreography at its very, very best.

It has been my absolute pleasure to write this blog;  as opening night neared I interviewed Samantha (who made my mum cry) and Leighton (undoubtedly the cheekiest cockney funster I’ve met), and then followed the show through its amazing 10 night run.  Along the way I have met many of the society, both on stage and off, and I cannot pay them a bigger compliment than to say they have welcomed me as one of their own into this amazing DOS family.   Likewise, my thanks go to Gillian Shevels as Chairman of the Society for her continued support and permission in allowing me to watch the show to help write up the reviews.

I would like to take this chance to thank Michael Trotter, Musical Director, and Sarah Carruthers, pianist, for not only their musical prowess and amazing skill through rehearsals and the live shows, but also for not forcing me into playing 3rd keyboard – I did watch Sarah a lot but my finger skills are rather rusty these days (tho I can play a mean triangle).  (And to Zoe and Michael, thank you for helping me discover my feminine side)

Having watched & reviewed over a hundred shows in the past few years I can, without a shadow of doubt, say that Strictly Musicals has been the best; not just for the content, the style, the variety of emotions but because it has been performed and produced by people who honestly and truly love what they do.

Thank you DOS, you’ve made the town and the whole region very, very proud !!