October 2011

This is our Diamond Anniversary year - click here for some of the memories of SALOS members past and present

Swindon Advertiser Review from Crazy For You.
October 2011.

As their 60th anniversary production, SALOS presented 'Crazy For You' at the Wyvern Theatre.

Music and lyrics are by George and Ira Gershwin and book by Ken Ludwig; co-conception by Ken Ludwig and Mike Ockrent. It is inspired by material by Guy Bolton and John Mcgowan.

Review by Ros Hollands: I did wonder how director, Russell Langdown would follow last years excellent production of Beauty and The Beast.

Well, this is a completely different genre, going back to those old fashioned musicals, with memorable Gershwin tunes including I Got Rhythm, Naughty Baby, They Can't Take That Away from Me, and Nice Work if You Can Get It, to name but a few.

It's a high energy comedy which includes mistaken identity, plot twists, a feast of dance numbers and classic Gershwin music.

The story revolves around Bobby Child, a well-to-do 1930's playboy, with a dream in life to dance. James Canning, as Bobby, is a stalwart of SALOS leading men with a good voice and acting ability.

He also made a passable dancer (it takes years to become super proficient in this art). Despite the serious efforts of his mother, played by, Louise Van Der Watt, and soon-to-be-ex-fiancee, Irene Roth, beautifully played by Gemma Short, Bobby achieves his dream.

Jenny Webb was perfect in the lead role of Polly. She has a wonderful stage presence and a singing voice which was just right for these Gershwin numbers.

Martin Whiteley, portrayed his character, Bela Zangler with a great deal of panache.

Crazy for You is an all singing all dancing production and so credit must go to choreographer Judith Hockaday and director Russell, who I know is an accomplished dancer himself. Credit must also go to the company who had to perform these numbers, which on the first night were not as tight as they could have been.

However, after a couple of performances I'm sure they will be.

The orchestra, although a little loud at times, was excellent under the direction of Malcolm Webb. As were costumes, lighting, sound and scenery.

This feel good factor show is a must for all those who have an evening to spare. I remember my first SALOS show at the Mechanics theatre when I was little.

That's probably about 50 years ago. May I congratulate you on your 60 years and may you continue for many more.

Ros Hollands

Next show - 'Annie'

23 to 27 October 2012.
at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

First performed in 1977 and in its time has received ten Tony nominations – winning seven – and been voted Best Musical, Annie, with Tomorrow and It's the Hard-Knock Life amongst its most popular musical numbers, this is truly a musical for all the family and dog lovers!

Set in New York in the 1930s, just after the Great Depression, the story tells of a very determined eleven year old orphan, Annie, who runs away from her orphanage in an attempt to find her parents. Out of the orphanage Annie makes friends with a stray dog, pretending it's hers. Sadly, a policeman finds her and takes her back to the orphanage.

Each Christmas billionaire Oliver Warbucks sends his assistant Grace to the orphanage to request that an orphan spends the Christmas holiday at his house, Warbucks Mansion. Annie just happens to be in Miss Hannigan's office – the rather nasty orphanage supervisor – and Grace asks to take Annie. Hannigan agrees but then shows her bad side to all the girls in the orphanage when Annie has gone.

At Warbucks Mansion Oliver Warbucks asks Grace to take Annie to the movies, but Annie charms Oliver to go with them and the story unfolds from there. Add a reward of US Dollars $50,000 (a huge amount of money in those days) that Warbucks offers to find the couple who prove to be Annie's parents and the "fun" starts, with all sorts of characters suddenly interested in Annie prompted of course by the reward!