Silent movie scenes, leading man and
orchestra excellent
Denmead
Operatic Society, who usually perform in venues
south of Butser Hill, last week brought their
production to Petersfield.
It recounts, in flashback, the turbulent
relationship of silent film producer, Mack
Sennett, and waitress-turned-actress, Mabel
Normand, during an early part of the last
century.
Kerry Applin, who played the unfeeling and
egotistical Mack, gave a powerful performance of
what is a very demanding part. Whenever he was
on stage, which was most of the time, he
dominated proceedings with his vocal and
physical presence. Perhaps a little more ‘edge’
in the role would have rounded off his
character.
But Megan Brand as Mabel,
although looking good and delivering her songs
powerfully, did not demonstrate sufficiently the
innocence and vulnerability of the character,
particularly when Mabel descends into the depths
of alcohol and drug addiction.
The supporting
characters were well played, particularly Hannah
Wilkinson as Lottie and Luke Brand as Fatty
Arbuckle, who both gave strong, amusing and
sustained interpretations.
The hard-working chorus was
kept busy as they switched from stage hands to
film extras, bathing belles and knock-about
policemen while also performing their simple
dance routines.
Attention to the authenticity
of some of the costumes would have enhanced the
visual effect.
The rudimentary set – mainly
an open stage – allowed for smooth transitions
between scenes (14 in all). These were mostly
identified by a suitable small piece of scenery,
coupled with good lighting effects.
The large orchestra, under
the baton of Phil Woods, was first class and
excelled particularly during the overture and
the film sequences, when they provided musical
backing. Occasionally, the balance with the
singers made the lyrics difficult to hear – a
problem that is not unknown in the Festival
Hall.
Roger Wettone
(Petersfield
Post)
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Reviews
A most Enjoyable
Evening
I was delighted to attend a recent performance
of Mack and Mabel by Denmead Operatic Society at
the Petersfield Festival Theatre. A big
improvement from previous locations!
Congratulations must go to
Director, producer, performer etc Ian Clark for
his excellent direction and in particular the
silent movie film clips. It took me a while to
realise it was actually the cast who were in
them! I only wish that the screen had been
bigger or closer to the audience as this would
have helped enormously. The scene changes were
slick if not a bit noisy but this was due to the
casters on the stage more than anything else.
The clever lighting helps provide the necessary
atmosphere.
The overture was a great start
to the evening. The band rocked. And the room
also shook! A great sound but far, far too loud
when dialogue was being delivered. It’s hard
controlling an 18 piece orchestra but the show
has to take precedence over the band. Ralf
Pegden’s sound was excellent, I don’t think he
missed a trick all night but he was at the
limits for the vocal players and at times it was
simply deafening.
I understand that it’s hard for
wind Instruments to be quiet when playing at the
top of their ranges but perhaps with some more
experience, conductor Phil Woods could have
worked harder to keep the bank in check or
alternatively reduced the number playing at the
time dialogue was delivered.
The chorus all fulfilled their
roles With zest and one or two were clearly
having a ball … one or two still had a way to
go to master the movements. I use movement as
opposed to dance as the only real dance routine
was Tap Your Troubles Away. This was a fun
number with good dancing and on the whole was
well executed. Hannah Wilkinson had a voice that
really suited the part and along with Fatty and
Kessel and Bowman, played their supporting roles
well.
The show of
course stands and falls on the two leading
characters, Mack and Mabel.
Megan Brand as
Mabel had the harder dramatic role, moving from
a girl in the deli to silent movie star to drunk
and drug addict. The script does not always
allow for this transformation to be made clear
but for someone who was taking on this
role as her first leading part, it was indeed a
challenge. I am sure that as years go by Megan
will look back and think she may have been able
to do things a little differently, but that can
only come with experience and I have to say it
was only after I read the programme that I
realised that this was her first lead. I thought
you were excellent, I could see how hard you
were working at the transformation and I just
loved your rendition of Time Heals Everything.
It was haunting and the highlight of my evening.
Well done Kerry
Applln, I take my hat off to you sir. On stage
almost from start to finish, you take the stage
by the scruff of the neck and demand to be
watched. Why you are still doing a day job is
beyond me! Great energy, great voice and what a
lot of lines to learn. I hope you get nominated
for an award for this performance.
Many thanks
once again to all who were involved in this
production. The front of house team and bar
staff were excellent and I can only echo what
was being said in the bar at the interval and
when the audience left and that was “great show”
and “really enjoyed it”.
I have to
say I have seen a number of amateur productions
in Peters field over the last couple of years,
and paid a lot more for the privilege, but none
have stood out like this production.
I hope
finically it was a success and can only
recommend a matinee performance and an increase
in ticket prices perhaps for the raked seating
for next time.
Many thanks for
a most enjoyable evening.
B. Johns
(Audience member)
A Joy to See
an Old Favourite
What a joy to go and see an old favourite,
rarely performed these days. This is a
production with a whole string of beautiful
lilting songs, which were all sung superbly. The
set was very simple, but effective, with the use
of various appropriate pieces of furniture moved
on and off smoothly by cast members or crew in
costumes. This enabled the show to flow
uninterrupted from scene to scene. The Keystone
Kops sequence was cleverly done on film, with
just enough actual movement on stage from a
lively and interesting ensemble, who all acted
very realistically for the type of picture being
displayed. All the props and costumes looked
right for the era, the lighting was outstanding
and the chorus singing came over well, although
they were drowned out by the orchestra at times.
Congratulations must go to Director, producer,
choreographer, performer etc., Ian Clark, for
his excellent direction and, in particular, the
silent movie clips. It took me a while to
realise it was actually the cast who were in
them! His use of freezes was very impressive and
the closing of Act One was pure magic.
This show is totally dependent though on the two
leads, and the chemistry between them in their
up and down relationship. Kerry Applin gave an
outstanding performance as Mack Sennett,
speaking with total clarity at all
times and
singing superbly. I lost track of how many times
he sang solos or duets, but his rendition of
I Won’t Send Roses brought tears to my eyes,
it was so moving. Megan Brand gave a remarkable
portrayal of Mabel Normand, a wild and scatty
waitress, throwing herself around the stage in a
string of two-reel comedies and then slowly
maturing into an elegant woman with a mind of
her own and finally, declining into drink
and drug dependence with no confidence at the
sadly young age of mid-thirties. Megan also sang
outstandingly and very movingly.
All the other
principals gave excellent performances,
especially Hannah Wilkinson (Lottie Ames) and
Ryan Richards (Frank Capra). Skilled support
came from Luke Brand (‘Fatty’ Arbuckle),
especially in the musical numbers he shared with
Ryan. They were a delight! Nadine Darnley (Mrs
Kessel) and Mark De Salis (Mr Bauman) played
their supporting roles well.
The orchestra
gave a cohesive sound and was well directed by
the Musical Director, Phil Woods. The whole show
was superbly delivered by a talented cast, but
the production team and backstage crew must also
take credit for the smoothness of the scene
changes and technicalities in this fantastic
piece of theatre. An excellent portrayal with
wonderful performances by all involved. Many
thanks for a most enjoyable evening.
John E. Thomas
(NODA Representative)
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