It is quite a rare thing these days for amateur companies to tackle the book musical standards, and an even rarer bird when they are performed by a youth company. It is also quite refreshing too. This was the 6th show I have been privileged to see from this talented troupe of Wilmslow youths known as Tempo, and the first show I have seen by them that was written before I was born!
Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'Oklahoma!' is a comedic ode to the lives and loves of the rural and rustic lifestyle of those living in a land that was just about to join the united states, which it did in November 1907, and the score is full of standards which anyone who has grown up with Musical Theatre around them and in their blood as I have, will know and love.
Tempo Youth did extremely well in recreating the style, mannerisms, vocalisations, accents, mentalities, and concerns of the era. The costuming was mostly excellent, and the simple set of wooden slats and hay bales was all that was needed to create the actors' playground. The proficient band was to the rear of the stage and wearing appropriate costume, although my personal preference would have been to have the band out of sight, they distracted, pulled focus at times, and did not fit in readily with the set or style of show. This would also have given the cast a larger acting space, and when it came to the full chorus dance numbers, space was very much in short supply!
Heading this strong cast was 15 year old Jake Hornsey, performing with Tempo for the first, but surely not the last time, in the role of Curly. His easy-going swagger contrasting nicely with the other more characterful and damaged male roles. Poppy Preston performed the principal role of Laurie with accustomed ease, finding some lovely nuances within the character to make her more believable and accessible. Keira Lambe was the most youthful and energetic Aunt Eller I have ever seen, but this worked nicely for her, and her warm and passionate demeanour was well placed. The more comedic roles of Ado Annie (Maggie Thompson) and Will Parker (Jake Butler Smith) can sometimes be over-exaggerated (especially Ado), but in this production both Thompson and Smith kept both feet firmly on the ground and delivered a couple of superb performances, allowing the more overt comedy to come from Ali Hakim (Adam Byrne) and Gertie (Elizabeth Anderson). Byrne 's delivery was nicely timed and his understanding of the role excellent, whilst Anderson's laugh was the best I have ever heard any actress do in this role. Freddie Tickle tackled what is perhaps the most difficult and darkest role in the show, that of hired-hand-with-a-past, Jud Fry. His scene in his hut and his two songs were truly superb. Sadly he did not keep up this level of malevolence and violent undercurrent when we saw him later in act 2, but a very talented and watchable young actor nevertheless.
The small cameo roles and a very large ensemble helped to create the world of turn-of-the-century mid-west, and the chorus songs were lovely. Sadly, this evening some of the mics seemed to be either not turned on or set at a very low level, and sometimes the choreography impeded the singing, but all told, we still were able to enjoy and emote with their enthusiasm and proficency. Oklahoma's OK!l
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