Babes in the Woods
28th November 2010
Director - Louise Hunt
Musical Director – Andrew Lindfield
Performed - 28th November, 2010, Ingatestone Community Centre
This is the first of the season’s pantos for your hardworking reviewer and Babes in the Wood gets me off to a flying start. What was very noticeable this year, perhaps more than in previous years, was that the sound was very good. The combination of midi tracks, some radio mikes and rifle mikes provided a good balance of sound between voice and backing. Being able to hear is a huge bonus and not something I take for granted.
Also very strong this year was the choreography, which was varied and sometimes challenging but always successful. I particularly enjoyed the chorus Hairspray numbers but also the contemporary dance of the Sheriff and Nurse Nightingale, which was both clever and well executed. Some of the tableau scenes, such as the positioning of the Merry Men in the forest for their Pack Up number were also very well done. The choice of music was modern yet relevant. Costumes and set were, as usual, of a high standard and the advantage of a genuinely witty and well written script is that the older more experienced actors have something to work with. This was particularly true of Harry Kemp’s Sheriff, who was able to create a great character role. He was strongly supported by Rebecca Craythorne and Todd Brand as Nickle and Dime respectively. Alec Stevens’ Nurse Nightingale also had a peach of a part. The remaining principals had much smaller roles but all did very well. It is clear from the programme that Young Expressions is well supported by the local community, as evidenced by 15 adverts as well as a Behind the Scenes page of names that mirror those of the Cast.
If the enjoyment of the audience, who were there in large numbers, translates into a financial success this is no more than Young Expressions deserves. This was a very enjoyable production. Congratulations.
Reviewer – Stewart Adkins
NODA East, District 8
This is the first of the season’s pantos for your hardworking reviewer and Babes in the Wood gets me off to a flying start. What was very noticeable this year, perhaps more than in previous years, was that the sound was very good. The combination of midi tracks, some radio mikes and rifle mikes provided a good balance of sound between voice and backing. Being able to hear is a huge bonus and not something I take for granted.
Also very strong this year was the choreography, which was varied and sometimes challenging but always successful. I particularly enjoyed the chorus Hairspray numbers but also the contemporary dance of the Sheriff and Nurse Nightingale, which was both clever and well executed. Some of the tableau scenes, such as the positioning of the Merry Men in the forest for their Pack Up number were also very well done. The choice of music was modern yet relevant. Costumes and set were, as usual, of a high standard and the advantage of a genuinely witty and well written script is that the older more experienced actors have something to work with. This was particularly true of Harry Kemp’s Sheriff, who was able to create a great character role. He was strongly supported by Rebecca Craythorne and Todd Brand as Nickle and Dime respectively. Alec Stevens’ Nurse Nightingale also had a peach of a part. The remaining principals had much smaller roles but all did very well. It is clear from the programme that Young Expressions is well supported by the local community, as evidenced by 15 adverts as well as a Behind the Scenes page of names that mirror those of the Cast.
If the enjoyment of the audience, who were there in large numbers, translates into a financial success this is no more than Young Expressions deserves. This was a very enjoyable production. Congratulations.
Reviewer – Stewart Adkins
NODA East, District 8