Sugar - the "Some Like It Hot" musical
29th April - 4th May 2019

Based on the classic 1959 film, this sizzling comedy musical premiered in 1972 and features songs by the classic Broadway tunesmith, Jule Styne.
Two unemployed musicians, bass player Jerry and saxophone player Joe, inadvertently witness the St. Valentine's Day Massacre in Chicago. To escape the gangsters, they dress as women and join an all-female band about to leave town for an engagement at a Miami Beach hotel. Complications arise when Joe (as Josephine) falls in love with beautiful band singer, Sugar, and Jerry (as Daphne) finds himself pursued by wealthy and elderly Osgood Fielding. Total chaos erupts when the gangsters descend upon the hotel and realize who Josephine and Daphne really are!
Production Officials
Director | Nora Howcroft |
Musical Director | Tim Power |
Choreographer | Lara Syddall |
Cast
Sweet Sue | Vicki Wilson |
Sugar Kane | Adrienne Wormald |
Bienstock | David Witt |
Joe/Josephine | Steve Benson |
Jerry/Daphne | David Wilson |
Spats Palazzo | Andrew Turton |
Sir Osgood Fielding | Mike Taylor |
Knuckles | Alan Moss |
1st Hood | Rob Slater |
2nd Hood | David Perks |
3rd Hood | Paul Duckworth |
Dude | Joe Davies |
Olga | Michelle Foster |
Dolores | Julie Ogden |
Mary Lou | Steph Kay |
Rosella | Issie Lowe |
Bobbie | Lauren Heyes-Mullan |
Dixie | Sue Cliffe |
Marilyn | Pauline Wray |
Cindy | Val Greenhalgh |
Sweet Sue's Society Syncopaters |
Jane Bickerstaffe, Beverley Charlson, Barbara Martin, Ruth Prescott, Eileen Reeves, Maria Sharrocks, Joyce Walters |
Photographs by John Tustin
Reviews
It is sixty years since the perennial favourite “Some Like It Hot” hit the movie screens starring Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe, and the much-loved story is recreated faithfully in this light-hearted, entertaining musical – interspersed with appropriate jaunty songs, of course!
The Bolton premiere (with book by Peter Stone, music by Julie Styne and lyrics by Bob Merrill) tells the story of Joe and Jerry, two musicians looking for employment who unwittingly witness a mob killing on St Valentine’s Day in Chicago and have to go on the run to Florida avoid a similar fate from the pursuing gangsters. The only trouble is that their only point of refuge is an all-girl band!
Cue for two uncannily convincing portrayals of female musicians by the talented Steve Benson and David Wilson, who combine effortless singing with great comic acting to provide two very entertaining characterisations indeed. Benson also portrays the “Tony Curtis as Cary Grant” suitor “Jew-nior” with ease, whilst Wilson’s excellent facial expressions are Jack Lemmon reborn.
Also excelling is Adrienne Wormald as the sweet and sexy Sugar Kane, again reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe’s character from the film, combining a delivery of innocent charm with a certain world wise pragmatism and a lovely singing voice.
Wonderful support comes from Mike Taylor as a very amusing Sir Osgood Fielding (delivering a great punch line at the end of the show), Vicki Wilson as the alternately sycophantic and acerbic Sweet Sue (owner of the girl band), David Witt as the downtrodden myopic band manager Bienstock and Andrew Turton as cigar-chewing gangster leader Spats Palazzo. The chorus have some catchy numbers which they perform with aplomb, and provide a range of ancillary characters including gangsters, elderly millionaires, chorus girls and hotel staff.
Notable praise is due to Mary Pycroft’s costumes. From the opening number displaying a dazzling array of sparkling ruby red, through a wonderfully colourful set of beach outfits and ending with a royal blue ensemble, the costumes were both appropriate and eye-catching. Lara Sydall’s choreography, John West and team’s efficient stage management, lighting by Norman Bowers and John Cocking and appropriate properties from Anne Cocking all added to the slick success that was this production.
Director Nora Howcroft and Musical Director Tim Power (assisted by Tom Bowes and with a wonderful orchestra) should be justifiably proud of this colourful, entertaining offering from a talented society. Runs until Saturday.
Peter Haslam
Awards
WINNER | Best Show | NODA District 5 | |
WINNER | Best Leading Male in a Musical | David Wilson | NODA District 5 |
NOMINATION | Best Supporting Male in a Musical | MIke Taylor | NODA District 5 |
NOMINATION | Best Supporting Female in a Musical | Vicki Wilson | NODA District 5 |
NOMINATION | Best Comedy Male Performance | Joe Davies | NODA District 5 |
NOMINATION | Best Leading Male in a Musical | Steve Benson | NODA District 5 |
NOMINATION | Best Leading Female in a Musical | Adrienne Wormald | NODA District 5 |
NOMINATION | Best Musical Director | Tim Power | NODA District 5 |
NOMINATION | Best Ensemble | NODA District 5 | |
NOMINATION | Best Choreographer | Lara Syddall | NODA District 5 |
NOMINATION | Best Director of a Musical | Nora Howcroft | NODA District 5 |
NOMINATION | Best Staging of a Musical | NODA District 5 | |
NOMINATION | Best Actor in a Musical | Steve Benson | BATS |
NOMINATION | Best Actress in a Musical | Adrienne Wormald | BATS |
NOMINATION | Best Costumes | Mary Pycroft | BATS |