WHENEVER I have reviewed a musical show put on by Ilkley Amateur Operatic Society, I have usually left the King's Hall in a happy mood, writes Barrie Pennett.

That does not necessarily mean their shows have been brilliant, but that they have endeavoured to put on a show to please their audiences.

To do this means they have to work hard as a team and that is exactly what they did when they staged that ever popular musical, Me and My Girl, at the King's Hall for six nights ending last Saturday.

Me and My Girl has been one of the most popular of British musicals ever since it first made an appearance way back in the thirties.

The humour is typically British and this delightful shows appeals to most audiences.

Really, a society should not fail with Me and My Girl which is full of lilting solo and chorus numbers, including the big Lambeth Walk number. It is a much sought after show by amateur societies throughout the country.

This production by Ian D Wilson had plenty of colour, action by the principals and movement by the chorus, whose singing was a strong point.

Mind you not all the costumes were, in my opinion, suitable for aristocrats and probably in this department more attention to detail should have been made.

But it was Mark Simister and Catherine Sweet who

really lifted this show above other musicals the society has given in recent years.

Mark, who probably had an advantage over other members of the cast, having played Bill Snibson before, enjoyed yet another triumph as the

cockney lad who inherits a

fortune.

The orchestra, under the direction of Catherine Sweet, herself and experienced player and singer, played in lively fashion throughout and greatly helped towards the smooth running of the show.

So much so that when the popular numbers Me and My Girl, Lambeth Walk and Leaning on a Lamppost were played, there was much

foot-tapping by the audience.

It was a delight to

listen to this orchestra.

The well thought out choreography was by Andrew Walton, who also played the Pearly King, in bouncy fashion.

Mark, who had a lot to do, did it well and his many

comedy lines were well timed. An experienced actor, Mark was partnered by Becky Cocker (Sally Smith), who was making her debut with the society.

The two of them complimented each other in all that they had to do together and Becky's clear cut diction when she was singing was a feature of her performance.

She is surely an actress and singer with a future.

Julia Wilson, as the snooty Lady Jacqueline Carstone and Paul Glover, as the snobbish Hon Gerald Bolingbroke added to the success with lively performances. Julia flashed her suspenders in one interesting number with Mark.

Neville Burbridge was

commanding as Sir John Tremayne and delivered his choice lines most effectively.

There were good character performances from Mike Denby, as Parchester, a

solicitor, Jean Tordoff (Duchess of Dene), who was let down a little by some of her costumes worn earlier in the show and Simon Matthews as Charles, the butler.

There was also strong

support from Leslie Graham (Lord Battersby), Liz Powell (Lady Battersby), Derek Oldfield (Sir Jasper), Samantha Hill (Sophia Stainsley-Asherton), Ian Francis (Lord Diss), Philip Marston (Lord D'Att), Jean Francis (Lady Damming), Sue Piper (Mrs Worthington-Worthington), Margaret Burns (Lady Brighton), Kath Potts (The Hon. May Miles) and Judith Ratcliffe (The Hon Arabella Crynge-Baddeley).

Other players included Margo Atkinson, Mark Brown, Tony Walker, Jane Terry, Chrissen Matthews, Rita Brown, Ashley O'Brien, Neil Jones, Amanda Armishaw, David Borley, Neil Jones, Philip Marston, Ashley O'Brien, Janet Ault, Helen Jolly, Jackie Liuba, Neil Matthews, Andrew Walnank, Sarah Clark, Helen Kemp, Lisa Matthews, Jenny Philipson and Jennie Webster.

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