The musical Half a Sixpence first got here to the stage in 1963 and its romantic story of rags to riches to rags and again to riches of Arthur Kipps grew to become successful for Tommy Steele on movie and on stage. It is relatively dated really feel of sophistication attitudes and feminine roles was up to date in 2016 by Julian Fellows with new songs by Stiles and Drewe and it’s this model that the pleasant coated however open-air setting of Kilworth Theatre in Leicestershire is staging this season till twenty eighth August. Very effectively staged and splendidly choreographed it is a energetic and pleasing night leisure with a marvellous solid who fill the spacious stage with sensible routines.
The vitality and precision that the massive refrain brings to the Firm numbers are infectious and you’ll’t assist however to smile and toe faucet alongside as they transfer swiftly in unison throughout the stage in Nick Winston’s marvellous choreography. From the very begin of the present in one of many new songs “Look Alive” the choreography enhances the characterisations and storytelling with a relentless sense of enjoyable and pleasure throughout the solid’s faces. They construct on this within the wonderful “Cash to burn” from the unique rating with the Apprentices within the store Kipps works in, Sid (Will Carey), Pierce (Ross Harmon), Buggins (Ruairidh Mcdonald) and Flo (Tamara Morgan) every establishing their very own distinctive character which supplies the present coronary heart. The catalyst for change is the arrival of Chitterlow, a splendidly over-the-top theatrical Welsh man performed by Matthew Woodyatt who at each entrance lifts the scene along with his larger-than-life character. The present revels in his theatricality in an amusing meta second with “The enjoyment of theatre” ( a brand new track initially known as I feel “Again the correct horse”) as if we within the viewers wanted telling whereas having fun with this joyful manufacturing. There may be good help from Penelope Woodman because the gloriously self-centred Mrs Walsingham, Catherine Diggins because the puffed-up Woman Punnet and Sarah Goggin as the stunning heartbroken Helen combating her overbearing mom.
Nick Winston’s course has some pretty artistic moments as within the comical scene consuming snails and grouse, after which within the musical soiree of “Select a easy tune” with the battle of the musicians and in a wonderful finale with the entire solid on Banjo’s that they regarded like they’d discovered to select a easy tune on. The Hornby prepare set throughout the entrance of the stage offered one such second symbolically exhibiting the passing of time which I believe a number of the viewers might have missed! Philp Witcomb evocative staging units the scene of pale glory on a South Coast resort and the intelligent use of vans for clean transitions between scenes means the tempo by no means drops. The fantastic assortment of interval costumes seems nice, and the solid does effectively to bop so fluently within the lengthy robes.It is a very high-quality manufacturing offering sensible household leisure in an enthralling story of being true to your self with a powerful younger solid and a few excellent musical moments accompanied by a band of 13 beneath Christopher Mundy. It’s a pretty setting and whether or not you might be staying over for breakfast, eating earlier than the present within the Orangery, picnicking on the lawns or just having fun with a drink on the spacious open-air bars it makes for an excellent evening out with family and friends.
Evaluate by Nick Wayne
Ranking: ★★★★
Seat: Stalls, Row B | Value of Ticket: £45
