LATEST NODA REVIEW - OUR THANKS TO BRENDA FOR TAKING THE TIME TO COME AND REVIEW OUR SHOWS.
UPTOWN PLAYERS - CINDYRELLA
SATURDAY 5TH DECEMBER – MATINEE
Writer and Director Rob Kemp must be very pleased with the results of all his hard work, together with that of Paula Kemp, Co-Director, in this updating of that well loved fairy tale. Those taking part were obviously enjoying acting out this story as pupils and staff of a High School in the 1950’s which really worked.
The T-Bones were led by Rob Strutt as Davey alias The Prince in a very convincing manner and Astra Dodge gave a very sweet and wistful performance as Cindyrella, the put-upon step-daughter of Arlene De’Ville played by Grace Herbert in true wicked step mother manner.
Paula Kemp gave a very lively performance as Perpetua, transforming from School Secretary to Fairy Godmother in a very believable way.
Arlene’s horrid daughters, Betty and Pansy De’Ville, were played extremely well by Samantha Jenner and Leia Dodge. Lovely performances also from Nancy Jones as Len Goodbody, Rob Kemp as the Caretaker and Kemi Ojuri as Mrs M.
The Pink Chickens and the T-Bones worked well as did the rest of the cast in their various characters. It was a joy to see so many young people giving everything they had to the plot, even if there were just a few gaps in the narrative when occasionally somebody had a move and waited for the move to finish until they spoke. In a longer run I know this would have been sorted out.
This was a very entertaining production and made a change from traditional panto. A lot of hard work was also carried out by all those backstage responsible for costumes, props, lighting and sound and all those other things that have to be done to get a production on to the stage.
The programme was nicely laid out and contained some interesting recipes using pumpkins!
Well done to all at Uptown and I know you will go on from strength to strength.
Brenda Gower Regional NODA Representative
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UPTOWN PLAYERS
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Saturday 13th June 2009
It’s always good to be greeted by members of the cast at the Uptown Players and on this occasion we were graced by no less a personage than the Duchess herself – Rob Kemp – who, together with Paula Kemp must be congratulated for their co-direction of this magical presentation of such a well known tale.
The scenery was a delight with lovely drawings by Mark Husher and well done to all those who helped with the painting and the props.
There were some excellent performances throughout with Big Alice and Little Alice (Grace Herbert and Tess Millman) changing seamlessly from one to another. Samantha Jenner as Edy the Narrator took us through the tale very well and all the characters were extremely Tenniel (Lewis Carroll’s illustrator for his Alice books).
Teresa Husher rushed around as a very busy White Rabbit and the Queen of Hearts (Becky Marshal) was stately and terrifying. Lovely performances from both Leah Dodge as the Caterpillar and Paula Kemp as the Cheshire Cat with an enormous grin.
The Mad Hatter’s tea party was very well done with Rob Strutt giving us a really mad Mad Hatter together with Adam Howard as the March Hare and Christie Dowle as a very sleepy Dormouse.
Andrew Battams as the Mock Turtle and Shane Thorn as the Gryphon gave the audience the opportunity of joining in with “Will You, Won’t You Join the Dance” – I think perhaps it would have been nice to have provided some music for this? There were probably reasons for not doing this.
There are so many other characters but no room to mention them all by name but needless to say, they all took their parts very well indeed.
A lot of work had to be done back stage and congratulations to all those involved in costumes, lighting and all the other things that go to make a show successful.
A very well laid out programme and if in future you would like to enter your programmes in the NODA programme & poster competition, I will get Greg to let you have the design of the NODA crest and wording that has to be in the programme to show that you are affiliated to NODA. The design of your tickets was good as well and what a lovely idea to have the seats numbered as playing cards.
Thank you very much for inviting us to what really is a Community Theatre, giving so many youngsters of all ages the opportunity to take part in theatrical experiences which they obviously enjoy.
Brenda Gower Regional NODA Representative
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A CHRISTMAS CAROL
UPTOWN PLAYERS
SUNDAY 1ST FEBRUARY 2009This was an ideal adaptation of this famous work by Charles Dickens. Congratulations to Ian Cosham, Director and adaptor for working the piece round this young Company so well.
The narration was handled well by Grace Herbert – sometimes the delivery was just a little too fast but this is a very minor point. Grace also played the part of Topper and came over as a true young Victorian gentleman.
Rob Kemp as Ebenezer Scrooge played this role with great clarity and we were all glad when he turned into a happy, benevolent Scrooge at the end! A great costume for Jacob Marley and Shane Thorne gave this role the gravitas it required.
Bob Cratchit, the down trodden clerk, was played extremely well by Eloise Cosham as were the whole of the Cratchit family. Mention must be made of Tiny Tim (Adam Howard) – a lovely portrayal of this cheerful invalid. I have to admit that I had a tear in my eye during the scene after Tiny Tim had died – the acting from all those involved was very affecting.
The three spirits played by Amy Gardiner, Andrew Battams and Shane Thorne gave each of these spirits the characterisation they required admirably.
I can’t mention everybody who took part but suffice it to say that the whole company gave of their very best. Only one thing to mention which is not meant to be a criticism but something which I hope will be helpful – there were one or two occasions when there was a need for the performer to face the audience – I know this is difficult when you are actually speaking to someone, but it can be done.
The scenery was minimal but absolutely ideal and the costumes were really lovely. It was so nice to be met at the door by two young Victorian ladies and a young gentleman, all looking as they should do. I was impressed by the hair styles for all the ladies, absolutely right for the era.
The programme was interesting and it’s good to see that you were able to obtain plenty of advertising.
Well done to your Director and his assistant, Andrew Battams, to Bob Wells, your Stage/Technical Manager, to Ann Jackson for Wardrobe and to Clare Cosham for makeup. A lot of hard work for everyone which certainly paid off. Although this production had had to be postponed from before Christmas, it was certainly very seasonal when we left as the snow started to come down. An ideal end to A Christmas Carol!
Brenda Gower Regional NODA Representative