Amateur Stage

Carousel (1981)

"Carousel"

Not many societies have had a home-made carousel to equal the full-scale working model which whirled kids around on the stage like the do-it-yourself one the Majestic Theatre Group built at Macclesfield.

Again, the group made all the costumes and scenery - Mary Cunningham was this time the genius with the needle and cotton - but even this company is vulnerable to the man shortage. If you didn't notice it, the eight men who sang like double that number can take the credit.

Obviously the company makes time for work and play. The School House on Graduation Day bore the legend "Palin's Academy", a neat example of artistic license by the stage staff and a tribute to producer John H Palin's popularity.

At first I thought the casting of John Downes as Billy Bigelow, the unpopular hero, was a mistake, but his image grew on you, and his singing of the Soliloquy was a dramatic vocal triumph.

Glyn Taylor, making the most of the humour of the part, gave us a laughing boy version of Enoch Snow. Two excellent studies also of Julie by Carol Taylor and Carrie by Barbara Moncrieff.

 

TOM WILDERN

 

 

 

 

 

Next Show

"Kiss Me Kate"
.............
1st to 6th October 2012