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After the show
Titanic show leaves operatic society with
sinking feeling
Denmead
Operatic Society featured in an article in the
Portsmouth News –
click here to read about how the costs of
performing Titanic threatened the
very future of the Society.
Fortunately, thanks to the generosity of Society
Members paying their subscriptions early and a
number of fund-raising events (Murder Mystery
Evenings and Quiz Nights), the Society is now
back on an even keel financially.
Denmead
Operatic Nominated
for News Guide Awards
The Society was
very excited to be nominated in the “Best
Amateur Musical” category for the annual
Portsmouth News Guide Awards. We were even more
delighted to get through to the final six and
were up against some stiff competition from
other local groups. Sadly, we lost out in the
end to Portsmouth Players’ production of
Beauty and the
Beast.
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Reviews
“Expansive and Stunning”
Colin Channon – The News 8th June 2012
Since
1933, Denmead Operatic Society has been
performing all manner of productions. From the
serious stuff to slapstick; Gilbert and Sullivan
to panto and ‘Allo ‘Allo. Never before though,
has it tried anything so expensive, so expansive
and so ambitious.
The cast of 45 tell the story
of the ill-fated launch of the Titanic, its
first – and last – journey, 100 years after its
sinking.
This is no Kate Winslet
whimsy. This is the warts-and-all story of class
distinction, and of one man’s ambition of owning
the fastest, most luxurious liner the world had
ever seen.
The increasingly strained
relationship between Captain E.J. Smith (Will
Donnelly), ship owner Joesph Ismay (Kerry Applin)
and designer Thomas Andrews (Ian Clark) is the
dominant factor; and all three actors rise
superbly to the challenge.
For Clark, who also directs,
the production is a major triumph.
The large cast provide
moments of real humour and pathos in equal
measure as they explore human foibles and
relationships.
The world’s richest people
were enjoying life in the first class cabins;
those who wanted to be among the elite were
below decks. But each had a story to tell.
The set is imaginative, in
the confines of the small theatre at Park
Community School, and adds to the stark
realities faced by those who learned the hard
way that they faced certain death.
A stunning night showing the
polish of eight months of rehearsals.
“I Run Out of Superlatives”
John E. Thomas
– NODA – 9th June 2012
I
find I run out of superlatives to describe this
show mounted by this Society. The singing was
wonderfully executed and the sound the cast
achieved was as good as any you would hear on a
professional stage. All the principals’ singing
was strong and I find it difficult to single out
any particular one. This, together with the
cast, whose acting was superb from beginning to
end, leaving the audience almost spellbound. I
find it impossible to find a fault in the whole
show.
Aside
from the many cast members in the full story,
Will Donnelly was ideal as Captain Smith,
dignified in accepting blame for the disaster
after a blazing row with J Bruce Ismay (Kerry
Applin), Chairman of the White Star Line and
Thomas Andrews (Ian Clark). They argued about
whose fault it was, providing one of the high
points of the show. Another one was the moving
scene when fighting broke out in the rush to get
to the lifeboats, and third class passengers
were turned back at pistol point by Lightoller
(Mike Powell) and other members of the crew,
under orders from the Captain.
Everyone in the cast, whether first, second or
third class passengers or crew, deserves praise
for their portrayals of the real people who
sailed on the Titanic. Director Ian Clark
created superb stage pictures and treated the
story with the respect it deserved. Lou Bundy
and her musicians also deserve praise for their
handling of a complicated score and producing a
magnificent sound. I fear a lot of people will
regret not having seen this superb production.
Well done!
“Extremely Polished”
Ken Smith – Mayor of Havant – June 2012
Denmead
Operatic Society performed this musical to
commemorate the 100th anniversary of the loss of
the Titanic.
This was an
extremely polished and well produced show and
the cast were excellent. Both the individual and
ensemble performances could hardly have been
bettered.
Performed at Park
Community School in Leigh Park, the matinee
performance that we saw was almost sold out.
The company
worked very hard before the run of the show with
rehearsals, set building and wardrobe taking
time to perfect. The lighting was very effective
and the stage crew deserve a mention for their
scene shifting.
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