"Top Hat", Glasgow King's Theatre, 21/2/18

In the world of musicals it can honestly be said that many a show is kept alive by the efforts of the amateur company who often perform musicals rarely produced by professional producers and who further the audience and potential fandom of these shows in doing so. It will probably be the case with "Top Hat" which enjoyed a successful, if curtailed, West End run (winning the Olivier Award for Best New Musical) and a following UK tour but which has since all but dropped off the map.

Based on the classic 1935 Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers comedy movie with songs by Irving Berlin the plot follows dancer Jerry Travers who falls in love with Dale Tremont after his tap dancing disturbs her sleep in the hotel room below his. Tremont incorrectly assumes Travers is the stage producer Horace Hardwick who has brought Travers over to London to open a new show. Hardwick's wife is Tremont's friend and so Dale is disgusted when the man she assumes to be married proposes to her. Screwball comedy ensues.

Of course, the plot is rather weak, as to be expected, but is still none-the-less charming especially when delivered with such aplomb as Paisley Musical and Operatic Society bring to it. It is the Irving Berlin songs that really make the show and with such classics as "Cheek To Cheek", "Puttin' On The Ritz" and "Let's Face The Music And Dance" it's hard to go wrong. 

Berlin's music is handled beautifully by musical director Sean Stirling who treats the score with assurance. There is an element of the ol' Hollywood Glamour that is brought out which succinctly suits the production. 

"Top Hat" is famous as a dance production and PMOS had a difficult challenge before them but their efforts pay off with the elegant choreography of Marion Baird delivered well and confidently by the cast; so much so that I believe the company could have handled even more complex material. 

Alasdair Hawthorn directs another assured production, bringing out the humour and the effervescence of the material with ease. The lighting could be more focused and varied but, in reality, this is a small niggle and, sure, there are moments that require tightening - especially in the transitions - but I've no doubt they'll be rectified as the run continues. There are, indeed, some clever location reveals in the first act which I only wish had continued into the second and it is such small details as these that I enjoy and that Hawthorn often delivers. 

The production has double-cast its leads and, on this occasion, I saw Greg Robertson and Claire Logue as "Jerry" and "Dale" respectively who both lead the company amiably and with confidence. Robertson has a natural charm and easy voice whilst Logue is a sweet and funny performer and they play well opposite each other. They are supported by a company who make the most of the humour and the staging. Alastair McCall as "Horace Hardwick", Iain G. Condie as his manservant "Bates" and Ross Nicol as the flamboyant "Alberto Beddini" all have plenty of opportunity to shine and do so with hilarity. Lindsey Ross also shines as "Madge Hardwick", prowling the stage with a commanding presence and brilliant comedic traits. The ensemble are also ebullient and there are a number who stand out in the odd scene including Robin Cameron's "Florist" and Jenny Carty's "Receptionist". The utilisation of the ensemble is another strength in Hawthorn's direction and there is plenty of business within the company to occupy the audience member.

"Top Hat" is a few hours of joyous, buoyant entertainment filled with cracking musical numbers and numerous laughs delivered by a vibrant, vivacious company who continue to push themselves and each other for the sake of their audiences' enjoyment.

"Made In Dagenham - The Musical", Glasgow King's Theatre, 23/2/17

Despite positive reviews the original West End production of "Made In Dagenham" had an unfortunately short life  (one of several that season) which is an indication of how precarious and challenging mounting a musical and garnering an audience for it can be. Sometimes it is simply a matter of timing and I think it fair to say that this amateur production is timely indeed.

The plot is based on the real-life episode of the female population of the Dagenham Ford car plant rising up to demand equal pay in 1968. Centred around machinist Rita O'Grady, her family and her co-workers the musical deftly portrays the difficulties of such a venturing at that particular time (some may wonder if it is any easier to rectify similar disputes in the modern age).

The book by Richard Bean is lean and precise with barely an excessive moment throughout, although it is peppered with the occasional appropriate f-word. Humour is readily available throughout also and this is also true of the alternately witty and poignant lyrics of Richard Thomas. The music is by Grammy and Emmy-award winner David Arnold, who also composed the musical score for the original film on which the musical is based. Arnold's score has a fittingly 60s feel which is at once comfortable and nostalgic to the listener and he creates some musically exciting and stirring moments as well as some emotional ones. I hope "Made In Dagenham" is not his only foray into the musical world.

Paisley Musical & Operatic Society is one of those companies whose productions always aim far beyond the 'amateur' status and they are one of the (sadly) fewer who are willing to take risks with their choice of musical title. Indeed "Made In Dagenham" is certainly one of those. It is a musical which had a short run in London based on a small British film. It has never had a professional UK tour so, as a title, it is really quite unknown to most audiences. Thus selling such a show was an up-hill struggle from the off. But, nevertheless, PMOS elected to take on the challenge.

Artistically the gamble has paid off as the production can resolutely claim to be among the best type of so-called 'amateur' theatre (it's only amateur because the cast don't get paid, after all) and indeed is better than a number of professional productions I have witnessed.

Alasdair Hawthorn's direction is, typically, adroit and he is not one of those to stay safe with his choices, something which can be the worst aspect of 'amateur' theatre. Hawthorn is also well versed in the use of space and lighting, again aspects often overlooked in am-dram. The choreography of Marion Baird is another aspect that gels with the other aspects of the production and has nifty homages to the 60s throughout. Sean Stirling's musical direction is solid and he has molded the orchestra into an integral part of the fabric of the production.

There are times when the transitions could be handled more deftly and the sound levels could be adjusted to ensure the orchestra doesn't overpower the vocals at times, but these are really only minor quibbles in an otherwise sterling production which really has a rousing effect on the audience.

The casting of the production is probably the best I've seen on the amateur circuit with an ensemble who breathe vivacious life into each and every role onstage. Enterprisingly led by Carolyn Lowry as "Rita O'Grady" and featuring dynamic performances from, among others, Laura Moore as "Beryl" and Lindsey Ross as "Barbara Castle", the show is littered with enjoyable, energetic performances. And one has to mention the "Harold Wilson" of Raymond Morrison which is one of the many comedic highlights that run throughout the musical along with Blair Cruikshank's Trump-like "Mr Tooley" who delivers the rousing "This Is America" with glee.

A truly female-led show, but one that does not ignore the male element, "Made In Dagenham" has a dynamism and electricity amongst its cast that is rare and they are all, equally, the driving force (pardon the pun) of a punchy, principled musical that has much to say. Even today.

Given the impressive production it is inevitably sad to see that there were a number of empty seats in the auditorium. True, the musical may be a hard sell as discussed above, but it seems to be a growing trend in amateur theatre (hell, even modern productions are feeling it). We live in hard times and theatre is not a cheap night out, but without local support the amateur companies of this country are slowly fading into history. 

Amateur theatre, in all its forms is an essential part of our artistic integrity and they are often the birthplace of a life-long love of the arts. They are more than entertainment: they are social groups, support networks and even a form of counsel. The shy person is encouraged to break out of their shell, the unconfident are given a the opportunity to give themselves a voice, an outlet for their imaginations.

The numerous groups that populate the British Isles are often bastions of theatre, keeping the art alive in areas that don't necessarily have access to professional, commercial theatre. They also keep older and less-performed works alive, be it 'straight' plays or musicals. How often is "The King And I" revived by a professional producer? Without these often and unfairly looked-down upon companies the very history of theatre would be confined to the dusty pages of some momentous tome in the libraries of historians. 

Likewise these companies also take the risk of presenting a recent play or musical that may not have had the success it deserved in its first production but in doing so breathe new life into a work that otherwise would have have been dispelled to the gutter. As with "Made In Dagenham" part of the problem is familiarity - an unknown quantity is made known only by awareness. I'm sure as more and more productions pop up "Made In Dagenham" (and other similar "unknown" titles) will enter the popular field and future production will draw bigger and bigger audiences. But to that end these companies have to continue to exist and they can only do so with the support of the local (or not) audience. Theatre in all its forms enriches us and I urge all to take a similar risk as these companies take and once in a while buy a ticket (cheaper than a "professional" production in all cases) to a little-known show and go with an open mind. Who knows but that you may discover a new favourite play or musical?

Rant over. 

For now ...

PMOS presents 'Oliver!', Glasgow King's Theatre, 29/3/11

I have never been a fan of Lionel Bart's 'Oliver!' having found it far too saccharine an adaptation of the novel. Even performing in the show in my college days did little to make it more attractive to me, although the second act was more dramatic and darker - always an appealing thing for me.

Director Alasdair Hawthorn, in the programme notes, writes that he had always wanted to bring the darkness and grit of the original book and the David Lean film into the typically light and frothy musical version which has always been an audience favourite.
The script in this production has been reworked slightly with Bill Sykes being introduced in a new scene in the first act. While this enables a sense of danger to be established earlier than usual the addition requires additional scene changes which sometimes interrupt the flow of the show, though I'm sure that this will be improved upon as the run continues.

The directorial concept continues with some of the character designs, many looking like some of the grotesques originally illustrated by George Cruickshank for the original serial.

The above shows Fagin as Dodger introduces Oliver to the gang. Utilising some clever make up Iain Usher's Fagin is both comedic and dangerous as he inhabits the illustration brought to life.

Usher's portrayal is effective and confident and the same can be said of all the cast including the Mr Bumble of Bob McDevitt and Patricia Welch's Widow Corney.

The exaggerated grotesqueness of the cast is perfectly displayed in the portrayal of the Sowerberry undertakers and their entourage who are all played to dark and comedic perfection led by Iain Condie and Susan Kernohan.

Judith Miller and Richard Magowan as Nancy and Bill Sykes, respectively, are both well presented and Magowan's portrayal is as dark as the production gets, his Irish accent bringing another air of freshness to the production.

The company of children are enchanting and Lawrence Clark as the Dodger is quite excellent, bringing a real sense of mischief and showmanship to the role.

Andrew Salmond's musical direction is top notch and much must be said about the work that he must have done on the score as the music and songs have all been reworked somewhat.

Although the show is certainly more than the sugar coated treat of old I don't feel that the production is as dark as I wish it were. Certainly there are moments but the nature of the songs, the script and, in this case, the lighting (which was a bit too broad at times) and to some degree the direction of the performances simply will not allow any real broad strokes of black. There were moments that dragged and the show did take a little while to get moving, but as I've previously noted, these are problems which will probably be rectified as the run goes on.

As an aside, I have always felt the reprise of 'Reviewing the Situation' to be a bit of an anti-climax end to the show, at least as always staged with Fagin vanishing into the sunset, and I have longed to see someone stage the fate of Fagin as per the novel, something which could lend itself, albeit as a dark and empty hope on Fagin's part, to that final reprise. But alas, I shall have to wait ...

Despite the flaws I enjoyed this presentation of 'Oliver!' more than I could ever have hoped, ironically because of the humour, although I did appreciate the attempt at revisiting the darker side of Dickens.

The work gone into preparing this production is evident and and kudos to all involved as they've certainly presented something that can stand out from all the numerous productions of this show, even if it perhaps doesn't quite live up to its artistic aims.