Annie Get Your Gun

This ambitious production with its talented principals and chorus is enhanced by sumptuous settings and costumes.

In her first leading role for the society, Louise Yates as Annie brings a powerful voice and engaging personality to her part which she plays with verve and a nice sense of comic timing.

Graham Edgington makes a handsome Frank Butler and produces a polished performance. His rich baritone voice did full justice to such favourites as The Girl That I Marry and My Defences Are Down.

The two are backed admirably by a stroing chorus and the men's harmonising to Edgington's songs was particularly enjoyable.

Of the supporting players, Craig Williams as Tommy Keeler stood out. He has an attractive singing voice and good stage presence.

Scene changes were sometimes over-long but this can be corrected as the show progresses. And the sets were worth waiting for. The ballroom scene brought murmurs of appreciation from the audience and deservedly so. Much hard work has gone into devising and building the sets.

Director Andrew Turton is right on target with this production. There were a few first night hiccups, which will easily be ironed out. This is a lively, colourful show.

Doreen Crowther

Produced by Andrew Turton this show gave some erstwhile members of the chorus the opportunity to take some sizeable parts and cope with them very well.

I visited the society on the Wednesday evening to find that one such ex-chorus member, Louise Yates, who was taking the part of Annie, had been taken ill on Wednesday morning. After months of rehearsal, I felt desperately sorry for Louise. I hope she has other opportunities in the future.

Literally at a few hours notice, Irene Lunt, who played the part some 5 years ago, stepped into the breach. Whilst Irene performed wonders, juggling libretto and with admirable dexterity, the rest of the cast seemed, understandably, on edge. It is to the credit of the whole cast that they carried the performance so well.

An excellent portrayal of Frank Butler by Graham Edgington, plus good support from the sub-principals, including another ex-chorus member in the form of Sitting Bull, played by Roger Higginbottom, helped the show to move along although I felt the chorus were sometimes slow to react to events.

An excellent stage set provided a suitable backing for a pleasant evening's entertainment.

Glyn Neary