Jack The Ripper (November 2004)

WOKING AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY

 

‘JACK THE RIPPER’ – NOVEMBER 2004

 

 

‘Jack The Ripper’ has proved very popular with societies over the past few years but unfortunately not quite as much with the theatre going public. It’s a great pity because the show is full of catchy songs and down to earth humour and is more a depiction of life in the East End of London at the end of the 19^th Century than the macabre offering the title suggests. I understand you had good audiences at other performances but on the night I attended there was a very small audience. The fact that the chorus moved into the auditorium during the music hall sections did help and I for one was singing along whenever I dared to do so.

The production was superbly directed by Keith Burgess who had unusual approaches to some of the scenes. I particularly liked ‘There’s A Boat Coming In‘ with the chorus looking upstage for the boat rather than to the audience, and the murder victims being carried offstage held aloft was very dramatic.

Musical Director James Casselton was first rate. He made such an impact with his small group of musicians and it was obvious that he had done a great deal of work with both the soloists and chorus. One or two of the numbers were slower than usually played but seemed to benefit from the slower pace.

In the lead role of Marie, Emma Eyres was dazzling. She was gutsy, looked good and sang her solos with the emotion required.

As Lizzie, Emma Culley also gave an excellent performance. Her parody of Queen Victoria, just slightly less common than Lizzie, was most amusing. The two ladies rendition of ‘Step Across The River’ was filled with pathos and ‘Goodbye Day’ was also memorable.

Poor unfortunate Annie Chapman who couldn’t hang onto her money or her life was competently played by June Saich.

Samantha Bottle made a suitable Polly and she sang prettily.

The musical suggests that Montague Druitt was The Ripper and Brian Beamish certainly appeared sinister enough to have such credentials. He acted well and maintained the bearing expected from a man of his class at that time. On the odd occasion he was a little slow picking up the dialogue.

Tony Bushell also gave a strong performance as The Chairman and encouraged audience participation from the start. There just weren’t enough of us for people to feel comfortable joining in the banter. He ad-libbed fluently a number of times, which would only have been spotted by someone like myself who is about to do the show in a fortnights time !

The gang of four led by Mendoza had the necessary mix of characters and as Dan Andrew Culley was splendid. He was tough, cheeky , in control of his group and he sang well.

The other lads played by Mike Bartlett, Nic White and Robert Tickner played their individual roles strongly and extracted every ounce of humour from them. The letter to Charles Warren scene was especially deserving. Goodness knows where Lord Overcoat was supposed to have been educated in order to be able to read and write in those days, but the character does allow for some wonderfully funny moments. Ken Woodward played the part well.

Representing the law Graham Ellis made an impressive Sergeant Coles, and of course the ‘Women’s Clothes’ Number was very entertaining.

The set was well designed and effective depicting cleverly the music hall scenes and the few props used were in keeping with the period of the show.

The sound was very good and the lighting created an atmosphere suitable for the back streets of Whitechapel .

My first thoughts on the costumes were that they were too bright and too skimpy for the piece, but I have to admit that visually it was colourful and attractive and probably had a lot more audience appeal dressed as it was.

Makeup was mixed, but then possibly would have been considering the profession of the women, and the hairstyles were fine.

The programme was super with lots of information relating to the events of the time and the front cover most unusual. You seem to like doing something a little different with your programme and I wonder if you had considered entering it in the NODA programme/poster competition . If so you would need to send five copies to the area councillor, Margaret Coltman.

Summing up, the show exuded boundless energy and provided a marvellous evening’s entertainment. I thoroughly enjoyed it and as always was treated most hospitably by the front of house manager Anne Ellis. It was good to meet James in the interval and the cast on stage afterwards.

Thank you for inviting me to see the production and I look forward to ‘Calamity Jane’ next year.

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas.

E. Gloria Smith

N.O.D.A. Regional Representative