The Producers

Photo Credit: Alan Martin/AMSI

Reviewed by:  Wendy Newton on Saturday 14 July 2012
Venue: Little Theatre, Hoghton Street, Southport
Type of Production:  Musical

Producer/Director:  James Hughes- Alty
Musical Director:  Jeff Rimmer
Choreographer: Jackie Morris

A great choice of Show for this company to celebrate their Diamond Jubilee year!
The Chairman's introduction in the Programme describes it perfectly…
”A madcap musical about rampant grannies ,tap-dancing storm-troopers and two lovable rogues with a silly scheme to make lots of money” …it was exactly that!!
From the moment I entered the Theatre, there was an obvious excitement from the front of house staff and members of the Company, when I was asked whether I had a hanky to dry my tears of laughter, I knew that I was in for a treat of an evening!

The thought of having a Director for this show as a “Debut-Musical-Direction” ..?! Well one would think that would be madness …to take on a Production of this size and stature and make at least a half decent stab at it …surely there would be doubts…??
Certainly not in this case! James Hughes-Alty can certainly stand up and be counted as an extremely talented Director. If this was what he could do with his first, then there can only be “Mega” things to come for him and obvious necessary directorial decisions within the production were enhanced by his artistic and imaginative presentation.

Superb support came for him from the other two thirds of this amazing production team, Jackie Morris (Choreographer) who created superb dance routines, every foot, hand and head movement drilled to within a “hairs'-breadth” with clever formations and movements, giving every number a total “Wow-factor”. Whilst Jeff Rimmer (Musical Director) and his 11 piece band, supported the cast with excellent expertise. He had rehearsed the company well and had made sure that musically every one involved was note perfect, in addition to which the band was particularly well balanced and didn‘t drown the cast.
All six main Principal Characters, in my view, were some of the best cast in their roles that I have seen for some time. There wasn't one weak link and each held the audience in the palm of their hand. Comedy timing, Facial expression, Projection, Singing …all fabulous. I would normally pick out certain characters and give an account of their own expertise, but I feel that in this case I could fill pages of praise for all of them. Only to say that each should be proud of such successfully realistic portrayals which were as professional as they could be.
Equally all of the supporting roles and the ensemble, each in their own right, created fabulous individual characters and there wasn't one moment that they weren't working the stage.
The Stage Crew ably led by Syd Coley,(Stage Mgr.) and his Asst's Stage Mgr's, Tim Brittain & Peter Bamford more than deserve a mention along with their other Stage & Props Crew, for the expert choice and meticulous handling of such an enormous yet effective Set. They utilised every inch of space available and yet still coped with a 30 strong Cast and more than 30 strong Crew !
Sound was excellent and the Lighting queues were “Spot on”!!
Costumes were stunning, along with Hair & Make up were the Cherry on top of the Iced cake. Attention to detail is what “tops the show off” and that includes all of the Front of House Management Team and assistants, who rarely get mentioned but are such an integral part of a Production and give such great support.
Congratulations to the whole Company on such a successful Show your obvious hard work has paid off. The standing ovation was well deserved….. Well done to you all !!
I must mention that indeed my hanky was soaked with tears of laughter!
Thank you for your lovely hospitality, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit.
Regards ,Wendy Newton. District 6 Representative