NODA North West Magazine

THE BOYFRIEND (1998)

Macclesfield Majestic Theatre

Producer: Shirley Davies
Musical Director: Kath Ibbotson
Choreographer: Carol Dabbs

Often dismissed as a bit nonsense, this show, nevertheless has a distinguished pedigree.

It all started at the Players' Theatre Club, stamping ground of Peggy Ashcroft's London debut. The Players' Theatre, London continues to present 'Victorian entertainment' including an annual pantomime, to a small, but devoted, membership. But in late '52, Sandy Wilson was asked by the Club to write a pastiche of the musical shows of the 20s. So delighted were the producers that Sandy Wilson extended it to a full length show. The show had its West End debut at Sir Bronson Albery's Wyndham's Theatre in 1954 to start a record run.

The Boy Friend is a gentle parody. The show requires a young cast which can dance and an experienced older cast. It must, above all be played with STYLE. No one here, thank goodness was too OTT Only a few underplayed. and the 20's atmosphere was captured throughout.

The young CHAPS were good, ditto the GELS, fresh as paint. Alison Gorton as Maisie and Stephen Clayton as Bobby Van Husen, sang and danced with vivacity and of course, style.

One of the big hits of the original show was 'It's Never Too Late to Fall in Love' sung by 'naughty' Lord Brockhurst and the apparently naïve and fragile Dulcie. Debbie Lomas and Paul Shortt captured the mood exactly; Paul giving one of his usual well thought and constructed and, in this case, funny portrayals.

David McGuiness was the epitome of the now upright Percival Browne opposite Heidi Dabbs' more polished and engaging performance as Madame Dubonnet. Their Act II duet was excellent.

That most difficult part to portray, Tony, the Boy Friend, was nicely acted, sung and danced by Kevin Clarke. Following in the footsteps of Julie Andrews in New York and Twiggy in the film, Sarah Doggett, here in Macclesfield, was a lovely Polly Browne, whose voice, both in dialogue and vocals, captured the essence of her character.

 

 

 

 

Next Show

"Oklahoma"
.............
4th to 9th October 2010