East Berkshire Operatic Society performed Sweet Charity
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Review: East Berkshire Operatic Society at South Hill Park
By Rosemary BaylissNovember 26, 2009
Sweet Charity by East Berkshire Operatic Society at South Hill Park, November 7
This was another great performance by East Berkshire Operatic Society (EBOS). This sparkling production of Sweet Charity was directed by Phaedra Ashford with a light, tongue-in-cheek touch and an emphasis on character, costume and singing and dancing.
The staging was simple – an elevator was a couple of cupboards which slid together, a park was a few railings round a staircase, a subway train was just a group of passengers standing in a row and wobbling as if they were in a bumpy train.
The stage floor was kept clear for the lovely dances in the Fan Dango ballroom or the splendid crowded scene in the crowded Rhythm of Life church.
Charity herself was played by Laura Thain who brought out the development of the character from a naive girl to a woman who was going to stand on her own two feet. Her brief involvement with the inadequate Oscar was a turning point which was well done, leading to the bitter-sweet end of the show. Her acting as the bored woman hiding in Vidal's wardrobe was funny.
Stuart Hayllor's Oscar was a good impression of a very timid man. Duncan Hamilton was a powerful gospel preacher and James Atkins was a rather nice Vidal.
The main characters were the dance hostesses. Their songs and dances and costumes were spectacular and their cynical remarks were amusing.
The whole show was a delight, highly polished and great fun.
by Rosemary Bayliss
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