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The Railway Children - Friday 27th February - Saturday 7th March 2009 Henrietta Barnett School Theatre |
This was an enjoyable show for all ages. The adaption of E.Nesbit’s novel by Julian Woolford retained all the essential elements of the original book, and all the best known and loved characters. The music by Richard John was sympathetic to the action and provided good opportunities for dancing and singing to make for a lively evening.
Debbie Lane’s direction was as usual light-handed but positive and inspired, and the cast responded admirably to this. Her imaginative use of the stage space and the performers made this a delightful production to watch, with no awkward or inappropriate moments to mar the action.
Perks, played by John Dansey, was very much the central element in this production, by starting the show with his excellent singing and appearing throughout to link events. A great performance in every way. The Railway Children family were very well cast and believable. Ali Newell as mother sang and acted faultlessly in her first role with GST. The children interacted well with each other and again GST have found two new excellent performers in Natalie Fernandez as Bobbie, who has great stage presence to add to a beautiful singing voice and impressive acting, and Bailey Cottingham as Peter, who made this character likeable even when he was trying to be irritating to his siblings. Rachel Newman as Phyllis is, of course, a seasoned GST performer and was just right in the part. Very well done all of you!
Rusty Ashman as the Old Gentleman gave his usual competent and insightful performance, even convincing us that he was not too young for the part! All the supporting roles were played convincingly, and were often very funny, such as Mrs. Ransome and her bicycle (Sybil Manel), Gert (Hilary Seaberg) with her flirting and Mrs. Perks (Marilyn Greene) with her well-founded suspicions of “something going on.” Dr. Forrest was a sympathetic and comforting figure played by Geoff Prutton, and Szczepansky (Brian Polikoff) sang his sad ballad in the most convincing sounding language – although I must admit I am not quite sure what it was!
The Perks brood were cheeky and lively, and well backed up by their young friends in the village. The house staff both in London and the country were well chosen and sang and danced with great energy. And we must not forget “My Daddy” (David Lane) who appeared at the beginning and the dramatic and emotional end of the play, but also played many other parts throughout, though well-disguised.
The scene changes were well handled with no pauses to interrupt the lively action. The set worked very well with simple but appropriate devices to tell us just where we were at any time., and it was good to use the steps by the stage and an entrance from the back of the auditorium go give the audience the feeling of more changes of time and space.
The dancing and movement was choreographed by Emma Pleass, who has an experienced eye for what works for the audience and can be well accomplished by the cast. Both adults and children knew where they were supposed to be and what they should be doing, and it was a pleasure to watch them.
Jon Musker had trained his singers well and a good pace was maintained throughout by everyone so that the audience was never waiting for something to happen but were carried along with the story. The backstage crew worked quietly and efficiently in what I know to be a very small space, and made it look effortless.
The venue threw us some difficulties both before the working weekend and during the actual run, but the crew managed to keep things on track so that the audiences would have had no idea of any problems. These are the unseen heroes who make a show work for everyone. Lighting and Sound were operated professionally by some of our members who are new to these areas and therefore all credit to them for their excellent work. And as usual in GST productions the costumes and attention to detail were exemplary in being of their time and so setting the appropriate mood for the piece. Frances Musker, Diana Darrer and Jeanne Solomons made this as always a visual pleasure which added to the entertainment.
Once again a great winter show enjoyed by everyone. - Joyce Piper