It was my first visit to Oldham's Sixth Form College, and so obviously I had never seen a student production there either. I was going in cold with no preconceptions at all. The only thing I did know, and know well, was the material the students were performing; the wonderful music, story and lyrics of the incomparable Broadway legends of Cy Coleman, Dorothy Fields and Neil Simon.
To say that I was impressed by the standard and commitment is an understatement, and despite a very minimalist set, everything else about this production was brought vividly to life and colour. The set changes were effected swiftly though, and I loved the costumes and hairstyles, great attention to detail. Huge congratulations to the Performing Arts staff who worked very hard to find the lovely characterisations, style of performance, relationships between characers and character-arcs that they did. I have to admit to feeling a little unsure at first whether or not such an 'adult' themed Musical would have presented any problems with and by such a young cast (16 - 19 year olds) but my misgivings were forgotten and expunged right from the opening sequence.
Sweet Charity very simply tells the story of a 'hostess' in a 'ballroom' [or in plainer more modern English... a sex-worker dancer in a night club] and her falling in and out of love and her desire to get out of the rut she has found herself in. After meeting various unsuitable types and romanticising about them, she finally meets the man of her dreams in the form of a neurotic geek, Oscar Lindqvist, and they become engaged to be married. It doesn't have a happy ending though, and sadly the engagement is broken off and Charity is left once again to pick up the pieces.
My only real negative criticism was with things technical. The microphones were playing up at various points throughout (or maybe they had just not been switched on), and either the LX design or the execution thereof was rather poor giving insufficient cover for majority of the show and unwanted shadows on casts' faces. This was a real pity, since in every other way this was a stellar production.
The leading role of Charity Hope Valentine was played superbly with a real feel for the character and her journey by the talented Elizabeth Parkin, whilst Oscar Lindqvist, her hapless suitor was played with professional aplomb by Tommy Lax. Lax had simply nailed his character 100%... brilliant! These two protagonists were supported by excellent smaller roles, especially Charity's two best friends at the Ballroom, Helene (Chloe Whatmough) and Nickie (Isabella Fletcher), and a hugely autocratic and beautifully nuanced Matinee Idol Vittorio Vidal (Sebastian Lowe). Bringing the most laughs of the evening (especially from his school friends) was Joshua Haigh who had created a new but perfectly legitimate and highly comedic interpretation of Daddy Brubeck.
The ensemble scenes were well-placed and all the choreography (especially Big Spender and Rich Man's Frug) was both in the correct style and looked amazing, and the music sounded good from the band placed at the rear of the stage.
This was a highly enjoyable and very proficient Sweet Charity, and once again my sincere congratulations to all involved. I look forward to seeing what the college will produce next time.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 2/3/20
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