Bolton Evening News

Walmsley Church AODS provided a heady performance of Strauss’ champagne operetta “Die Fledermaus” on Saturday. It’s a show with a magical score, the second act especially having one hit number after another. Musical Director Jessie Whittaker gave a strong, energetic pulse to the music. The act one finale, for example, had a real lift to it. It’s an elaborate revenge story in which “The Bat”, Dr Falke, pays back his friend, von Eisenstein, for a practical joke, of which he had been the victim. Producer Audrey H. McL. Raistrick points up the comedy in the Here’s To Love trio and in the clashes between Eisenstein and the prison governor. Margaret Steel’s Rosalinda is an expressive featured comedienne, while Alec Greaves provides a good-humoured Eisenstein. Adele is pleasantly sung by Joyce Foster, while Robin Foster gives the comic performance of the evening as the governor, Frank. Jennifer Edgington captures the Russian dourness of Prince Orlofsky, lending strength to the image of royalty always having their arms behind their backs. Graham Edgington makes a handsome, grey-streaked Dr Falke, and has a pleasing light baritone voice. Walmsley’s sets, as in previous years, are impressive, with a long balcony overlooking the dancers for the ballroom scene. In the prison, however, it isn’t only the governor who has a hangover. The words Kit Kat Klub (from their previous production “Cabaret”) hang on a sign over the entrance to the cells. Ron Lawson

Manchester Evening News

Sophistication is the keynote in Audrey Raistrick’s production of “Die Fledermaus” for Walmsley Amateur Operatic Society, Bolton, under the musical direction of Jessie Whittaker. Inventive sets ignore the small stage to invoke the grandeur of old Vienna, the elegant décor of the Eisenstein apartment bettered only by the opulent Orlofsky villa, with an ingeniously-designed chandelier. The fine singing voice and vivacious manner of Joyce Foster as Adele stand out in a generally accomplished cast, her rendition of the famous Laughing Song delightfully coquettish. Margaret Steel and Alec Greaves make ideal matrimonial sparring partners as Rosalinda and Gabriel, offering lively entertainment with the Tick Tock Polka and, with Adele, the tongue-in-cheek Sad We Are. Bill Steel charms as Alfred, allowing the amorous tenor just enough theatrical affectation. Ernest Pollitt provides a first class study in inebriation as Frosch, while Robin Foster’s governor is more stylishly sozzled.