Director Megan Dansie has got the best out of her ensemble making sure the action or interest never waivers. Scene changes are smooth and, by and large, unobtrusive. Rachel Dow has done some remarkable choreography- especially in Act Two. Ben Morton's set design makes the most out of a limited budget and a small stage. Renee Brice has done an outstanding job on the costumes.
Headlining the cast is a beautiful, touching and totally believable performance by newcomer Scott Reynolds. This guy is one to watch. He never breaks character and has a wonderful singing voice to boot. Kate Brooker as his mother, Ida, also is a highlight of this production, even if her vocals are not quite as strong as they could be. Daniel Salmon's Bullfrog threatens to upstage just about anyone and anything not nailed down whilst Jethro Pidd- with a rather bizarre accent- puts on a great turn as the nasty Cat. Eleanor Stankiewicz also puts in a great performance as a cat in heat.
The ensemble is full of lively characters, young and old, and musically they are very, very tight. Musical directors Kate White and Joanna Patrick have done a great job with them, although the same can't entirely be said about the rather hit and miss ensemble in the pit which sounds like it needs a couple more rehearsals under its belt. However, both groups make do with what is a largely rather unremarkable score.
Nevertheless, these minor quibbles aside (and few technical glitches with the sound towards the end of the show) it is a wonderful show for both young and old audiences. Gosh it would be great to see a show such as this get recognised by the ATG in their curtain call awards. It deserves to sit alongside some of the best this state's local groups have done in the last year.
