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What A Beautiful Musical!
Tyne Theatre Productions present
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!
Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera House
Until Saturday 5th November 2016
Oklahoma! was the first Rogers and Hammerstein musical
and it is credited as setting the modern rules for musicals. Indeed the songs
are related to the narrative and the 1943 show hasn’t dated. It is the third
fundraising production in order to raise funds to help restore the Grade 1
listed Tyne Theatre and, just like the others, it is a fun show to watch.
Set
in 1906 it has men who farm or herd cows, chasing women in pretty dresses, and
fathers who will organise a shot gun wedding for the slightest approach to
their daughter.
The
show opens with the fabulous vocal talent of Ollie Cook as Curly singing Oh What A Beautiful Mornin’ whilst Aunt
Eller (Bea Atkinson) looks on. The target of his affection Laurey, performed by
the charismatic Leigh Geddes joins in with the great singing talent of both
Ollie and Bea for The Surrey with the Fringe on Top. The show is off to a great
start.
 |
| Photo: Stagedoor Photography |
We
meet Peter Brack as the ladies farm
hand Jud Fry and his rich deep voice was perfect for the song Lonely Room just
before the interval. There is the travelling salesman Ali (Michael Geddes) who
has been involved with Ado Annie (JoJo Hatfield). The trouble is Ado Annie is
supposed to be with Will Parker (Steve Halliday) who has just won $50 and her
father Andrew (Michael Green) assumes it will be spent on the wedding. Add in
the flirtatious Gertie whose irritating laugh has been perfected by Harriet
Stout and a box social event that the lads would like a date for and you’ve a
recipe for some hi-jinks fun and serious battles.
A
feature of Tyne Theatre Productions is the large orchestra, under musical director
Jennifer Wagstaff, that takes full advantage of the great acoustics of the
opera house. They added a vitality to
the proceedings.
The
production team have done a great job. Director Enid Bilton-Gale has kept the
pace up on a long story. Celeste Hay and Jayne Orchard have crafted great
choreography from the large cast. Tony
Millican’s set design is highly effective and doesn’t hold up the action. The
wardrobe department have managed to locate great outfits for the huge cast too.
Talking
of the large cast, the show features a large talented chorus that get involved
in the action whenever they’re on stage and a large number of gifted dancers
too. The dancers have to pull off the slightly weird and dreamy ballet sequence
at the end of act 1.
Oklahoma! is another entertaining
show that puts some bigger budget shows to shame. Representing great value, it
is nice to know that the profits will be reinvested into restoring the historic
cultural venue. A great cast, live music and fabulous songs like the title song
and What A Beautiful Mornin’ – what is not to like?
Review
by Stephen
Oliver
(Follow on Twitter @panic_c_button)
Read
the NETG preview: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/preview-oklahoma-at-newcastle-tyne.html
On
The Web:
Twitter:
@TyneTheatreProd
Tickets:
Tickets for Oklahoma! are available now from: www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk
£13 Full price, £10 Concessions, £8
Limited View (plus booking fees when booking online and over the phone)
The Tyne Theatre & Opera House Box
Office is open 10am-3:30pm Monday to
Friday and event days
Booking and Information Line: 0844 2491
000 (10am
– 6pm Monday to Friday)
More information at the website: www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk
Twitter: twitter.com/tyneoperahouse
Theatre Address: 109 – 119 Westgate Road, Newcastle, NE1 4AG
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