Friday 24 March 2023

AMATEUR THEATRE REVIEW: Kipps - The Plaza Theatre, Stockport.


Nostalgia. You can't beat it. The feeling of being in a wartime theatre, bumping into friends whom you have performed or share the same passion for the art with (but haven't seen in a while) and watching a (bloomin' good) show you have performed in the original of.. by which I don't mean the 1912 debut but a local production of Half A Sixpence in 2010 (the show 'Kipps', by H.G Wells, was adapted to Half A Sixpence in 1963).

I do have to admit that I had reservations about the reworking of the show - made famous by Tommy Steele's starring role in the 1967 film (there was an original film of it in 1921) but, although some of the new songs are distinctly Stiles and Drewe, Julian Fellowes' re-write is brilliant (original songs by David Heneker, with orchestrations by William David Brohn). It's a dead cert that they 'backed tor right horse'. As well as the music, the character of Chitterlow is representative of Mr Toad in 'The Wind In The Willows' - a show that Fellowes, George Stiles and Anthony Drewe worked on to conceive the musical version of. All of the songs are packed with either poignance, fun and vigour, but the one I enjoy the least has to be 'Pick Out A Simple Tune'. The whole show is a treat and the singing and choreography on point (other than a slight "pitchiness" which may just have been the complexity of the score). There were only a few tiny elements that I thought odd but I thoroughly enjoyed the show regardless (and was obviously singing along the whole time).

The story is one of class and love. Artie - Arthur Kipps - works in the textiles store of Mr Shalford, along with Buggins (Daniel Eccles), Pearce (Vicky Terry), Flo (Alice Moran) and others. All young and naive, Arthur (played brilliantly, Lee Evans-esque, by the hugely talented Ben Mackenzie) has feelings for aristocrat and woodwork teacher Helen Walsingham (Amy Mason). He initially decides that 'She's Too Far Above' him and learns that he isn't the man for her - even though she isn't sure there are strong romantic feelings anyway, but she knows there's a spark - as his parents weren't married when he was born. He also learns, however, from eccentric actor-writer 'Chitterlow' who writes a character named Arthur Kipps into his new play 'The Right Horse' after reading a letter in the newspaper trying to trace the real Arthur Kipps as his estranged father left him his fortune. Chitterlow (acclaimed choreographer-actor Gary Jones) offers to investigate the claim and confirms the windfall. This means that, with an unexpected change of lifestyle - 'Just A Few Little Things' - he can be with Helen after all and they agree to marry, much to the delight of Helen's mother (Janine Royle) who had big plans for the couple, their finances and instructs her son James (Chesney Talbot) to take care of business. All Artie wants however is 'A Little House'.

The show actually starts with a sequence showing a young Arthur (Harry Willbourn) and childhood sweetheart Ann (Beth Moran). We also see lifelong friends and Ann's brother Sid (Deni Griffiths) and Mary (Lois Ridgway) throughout which is lovely, as well as Arthur's Aunt Susan (Donna Barton-Simms) and Uncle Bert (Matt Copsey). At a party, Ann is working as housemaid and stops Artie. They reminisce about 'Long Ago' and express their love once more. There's just one problem though.. he's already engaged.

Earlier in the show, the store assistants dream of what they would buy if they came into money and Arthur decides he'd 'buy a banjo' if HE had 'Money To Burn'. Whilst a shy character at times, he's always full of energy and drive (and love) but lacks self-confidence too  (evident in 'I Never Get Anything Right'). Reassurance comes from Helen in the form of 'Believe In Yourself' which is one of many beautiful numbers... as well as those already mentioned, and the spectacles that are 'If The Rain's Got To Fall' which closes act one and the highly-amusing (probably best known song from the show) 'Flash Bang Whallop' during Artie and Ann's wedding party (yes they do get there in the end). Other more poignant songs like 'Half A Sixpence' and 'I Known Who I Am' are beautiful, timeless and a brilliant contrast to the more fun, somewhat outlandish ones. 'Then In The Middle There's Me' when Artie is in the dilemma between the two love interests is also a nice.

The production team, and indeed everyone involved with this show should be immensely proud of the brilliance of this polished show and I am truly honoured to have worked with and known many of them. The choreography by the gem that is Tracy Harper, assisted by Gary Jones, direction by society chairman Michael McCaw who always makes me smile and expert musical direction of Paul Lawton mean that this show could never be anything short of outstanding. The very few issues I saw included a certain wig of a welcome gender-change character (which gleamed chuckles form the audience - brava, Philip Gibbons), Artie cutting himself on an invisible window (the only fake thing in the show and therefore a standout for me) and the removal of his jacket and Ann's boots when they went 'for a walk'. These are mere petty production notes as literally everything else was stunning, particularly timings.

Obviously the story and music of a musical support a show but it is the people who bring it to life that really make it and by goodness did Romiley Operatic do that! A fellow audience member commented on the budget and scale of the show and it can be easily equalled to the professional West End version. It helps even more to see such natural, expert performers enjoying what they do...it is a hobby (if alongside training) after all.

I strongly recommend you make the trip to the Stockport Plaza this week or you risk kicking yourself for missing this masterpiece. I can't wait to be there next year for their production of Priscillla Queen of the Desert... (my favourite!). Well done to all.

Reviewer - John Kristof
on - 22.3.23

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