CRAZY
FOR YOU
Directed by Angela Downes
NODA Review
The production as a whole worked well but unfortunately we
went on the last night. There were one or two mishaps
occurring, and although the ladies costumes were fine one
or two of the men could have done with better ones in act
two. "Tight" was not the word! Apart from that, I was
always told that you do not short change the audience on
the last night by doing anything that you have not done all
week - and that the director has not set. And it is
something very director fears.
The lack of holsters and the six-guns did lesson the
overall effect of the shoot-out scenes. Although I am aware
of the problems involved in obtaining them it is well worth
the effort. May I congratulate Judith Holt on a superb
sound from the pit. This orchestra certainly did justice to
Gershwin's score. I did miss, however, the harmony which
should have come from the three cowboys, instead of unison,
in the "I'm Bidin' My Time": and what happened to the
reprise in French?
The set was more then adequate on a stage that does not
help the crew, well done! Because of the many scene changes
we did not have a complete blackout (and that is fine) but
it means that cast are in view until they are in the wings.
So, you cannot come out of character until you are off. You
build up a love scene and then destroy what you have done
by ignoring each other in an attempt to get off quickly. It
does look much better if you keep acting until you are in
the wings. End of lesson.
We had some lovely performances. Philip Bradley (Billy)
gave us a sustained portrayal which I thoroughly enjoyed as
I did Emma Bartlett's Polly. Bela Zangler was a role in
which John Johnston excelled - very well done. The
supporting roles did well and the girls of the chorus were
delightfully. Thank you for a production I enjoyed very
much and for your hospitality.
