Anything Goes, WAOS - NODA Review

WITHAM AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY

Anything Goes, music and lyrics by Cole Porter.

Director and Choreographer Nikki Mundell-Poole

Assistant to the Director Michelle Bacon

Musical Director Jessie Tabor

Production Manager Michael Mundell-Poole

Performed at The Public Hall, Witham on Tuesday 8th April 2025 at 7.30pm

I was warmly welcomed at Front of House and met with Director Nikki Mundell-Poole several times during the evening.

This well known musical had a large cast of over 30 which mostly filled the stage but there was no shortage of movement and dancing throughout. In fact I found the choreography was extensive and creative with fabulous large production numbers with all the cast singing and dancing in tandem and in time. There was excellent and energetic tap dancing at several points in the show.

The period costumes were spectacular particularly the stunning reds and blacks in the nightclub scene. The flexible, simple but very effective set was built and painted by the society with some external help and basically consisted of the railings of the ship. Enhanced by a LED screen to denote portholes, staterooms and cabins, the only changes involved moving small items on and off stage. Any changes generally happened during stage blackouts and were swift and slick. There were useful steps each side of the stage joined by a bridge which facilitated lots of movement. The majority of the action took place on the deck. Lighting and good special effects added to the staging. The large orchestra, energetically directed by Jessie Tabor provided expert support to the cast. There were many engaging melodies to the iconic songs and the music itself was a joy to listen to.

The hilarious and sometime absurd script allowed for plenty of misunderstandings and innuendo. Convincing accents were maintained throughout by everyone.

There were stellar performances from all the principals without exception. The major role of Reno Sweeney, a nightclub singer, was very well played by Aimee Hart. She was lively and uninhibited in her characterisation of the role and delivered some wonderful solos in Anything Goes and I Get a Kick Out Of You. Billy Crocker, a financier turned stowaway was ably played by Paul Flynn. He was scheming, cheeky and energetic, with some great expressions and a superb voice in Easy To Love. He was desperately in love with Hope Harcourt , an American debutante already engaged to an English aristocrat. Hannah Ambrose was Hope, initially a gentle creature who fell in love with Biily. I loved their duet of It’s De-lovely and Hannah’s solo, Goodbye Little Dream, Goodbye was sentimental and emotional.

Tim Clarke was a near perfect Lord Evelyn Oakley, the blithering, totally eccentric but wealthy aristocrat engaged to Hope. His vocals and actions were excellent in Gypsy In Me.

The gangster Moon Face Martin was played in an appropriate and intimidating manner by Graham Bowden with Susy Hawkes-Dighton convincing as his “moll”, girlfriend Erma. Graham sang his solo, Be Like The Bluebird really well.

Michael Mundell-Poole was the Production Manager for the show but also took a convincing lead role as Elisha Whitney, a banker and Billy’s work manager. I liked the role of Hope’s mother Evangeline Harcourt, a scheming and overbearing woman, well played by Maeve Borges. Spit, and Dippy, played by Ed Groombridge and Lucy Charlesworth worked well together as two shady and sneaky characters whilst small but essential roles were competently undertaken by Stephen Taylor ( Captain),Richard McNeill ( Rev T Dobson) and Ben Rolph ( Purser).

Reno’s 6 Angels were a talented support to Reno, both in tap dancing and vocals. I also enjoyed the sailor Quartet with strong voices evident and good acting abilities displayed.

This was a superb and enjoyable production from beginning to end and owes much to the creative genius of Director Nikki Mundell-Poole, assisted by Michelle Bacon. Many congratulations to you both and to everyone involved in anyway. Your audience were very appreciative of the talent on display.

Hazel Hole MBE

Regional Representative

NODA East

District 11

07917 582709

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