Bolton News

I got my shoes reheeled yesterday but feared that a second trip to the cobblers may be in order after sitting through Walmsley Church AODS’s current musical offering. For I was tapping my foot like a man possessed as the cast performed an infectious version of the Gershwin-fuelled musical. What they lacked in polished perfection, they made up for with exuberance, enthusiasm and some cracking renditions of the songs which helped this production to Tony Award Success in 1992. Kevin Rawcliffe excelled as love-struck wannabe star Bobby Child and in the scenes when his character took on the role of theatre supremo, Bela Zangle. Cue wonderfully over-the-top German accent. The deliberately overly British couple, Patricia and Eugene Foder, played by Jane Bickerstaffe and John McCrae, also deserve note. The story follows Bobby as he is sent to Nevada by his mother and head of the family’s banking corporation to close a local theatre. There he falls in love with its owner, Polly Baker (Teresa Harper) and bids to put on a show to save it. Baker puts in some strong solo vocal performances to justify her role — and ends up in the arms of her suitor. Another top offering from Walmsley, led by Nora Howcroft. James Higgins