Another great review from the Stour and Avon magazine:
CRAZY FOR YOU, WIMBORNE MUSICAL THEATRE, TIVOLI, WIMBORNE
What better to complement a Summer evening than to see a show with song, dance and humour in abundance? Wimborne Musical Theatre chose Crazy for You, an award-winning production combining the wonderful songs of George and Ira Gershwin with a sprinkling of slapstick comedy, for a musical which was light, sparkling and bubbly.
Set in the 1930s, Bobby Child is a rich young banker who is totally stage-struck but also completely dominated by his fiancée of five years and a business woman mother. Leaving New York he travels to the run-down town of Deadrock, Nevada to foreclose on a theatre for the bank. There he meets the daughter of the owner of the Gaiety Theatre, falls in love with her and complications abound in the best tradition of musical comedy.
Lee Redwood proves his professional pedigree in every facet of Bobby, dancing and singing in a role which suits him down to the ground. Fiancée Irene – who doesn’t suit him so well – is a perfect part for the elegant Sally Ager and the other domineering woman (his Mother Lottie) is well played by Vanessa Wassell. The theatre owner Everett Baker is, like the town, rather run-down and Ron Kite captures that perfectly while Lank Hawkins (Andy Trant) strikes the right note as boss of the Saloon/Hotel. The cowboys of the town are bedazzled by the gorgeous Zangler Follies dancers led by Tess (well played by Karina McCormack) and bemused by her admirer, impresario Bela Zangler. He is given a touch of Marx Brothers comedy by Phil Evans and there are capable cameos by Jemma Cable (Patricia) David Elliott (Eugene) and Julia Wass as Patsy. It is Hermione Mason as the feisty Polly who steals the show for this reviewer, however, and the 16 year old student shows a maturity beyond her years. With a singing voice perfect for the musical comedy genre she also dances beautifully and her characterisation of the role is mesmerising – all this combined with a slim figure and lovely smile. Such a talented performer will surely have a theatrical career ahead of her – watch out for Hermione in the future.
The production team of Roy Joseph (Director) plus John Stringer who was in charge of music and the capable instrumentalists, together with Suzi de Villiers – stunning choreography – must be congratulated on a lively and entertaining production. Great costumes and sets too, to enhance this energetic performance by Wimborne Musical Theatre. In the words of that classic Gershwin song in the finale “Who Could Ask For Anything More?”
The review will be online shortly at http://www.blackmorevale.co.uk/stourandavonnews
