reviewed by Kerry Cooper
October 2012
Daw Park Player’s latest offering coincides with the 70th year celebrations of the Repatriation Hospital.
In the style of old vaudeville; one act after another entertains the audience with songs of yesteryear, with favourites from musicals South Pacific and Me and my Girl, to classics from Judy Garland and Shirley Bassey. Add some sequins, a pair of tap shoes, a striptease and a ukulele and what should be a raucous night of entertainment falls flat.
The ingredients are all provided, but unfortunately the whole production seems laboured and under rehearsed, with tired gags and a set in desperate need of colour, but what director Robert Reid‘s cast lacked in polish they made up for with enthusiasm.
Pianist Maxine Bails and drummer Graham Higgs provide most of the soundtrack to the evening, with David Salter and Allan Burns playing ukulele and guitar respectively.
Young Amber Ashley and Benjamin Francis showed talent beyond their years, whilst dancing duo Viva sashayed across the stage to the backing of Abba. Good Time Entertainers, senior thespians delighted with their many routines. Highlights included performances by David T Scott singing Sinatra and Mel George and David Salter with their rendition of Me and My Shadow. No revue is complete without a ham! Ian Rigney in his many roles was fearless.
Many areas of this show need fine tuning, however this did not stop the audience from singing along when encouraged. Many chuckled, some even cried, but most recalled a time when song, dance and laughter was the best medicine.
