The Manx Operatic Society’s production of Oklahoma! - which opened its week-long run last night at the Gaiety Theatre - is a stunning show in the traditional sense, but involves a mix of modern technology and contemporary twists.
The start of the show, for example, is unusual, clever and thought-provoking.
Without giving too much away, the audience are left wondering. Showing off more of our wonderful theatre than many Gaiety-goers are used to seeing, the opening action gives the audience a little taste of the buzz and nervous activity that happens just before the curtains usually rise, until the hidden heroes of ‘the dark side’, the backstage crew, take centre stage.
The scene is set with great stage props but also a filmed backdrop of the corn crops of Claremore, which alters subtly with each scene, adding another dimension and greater depth.
Curly McLain played by David Cowley bursts on to stage singing the time-honoured ‘Oh What A Beautiful Morning?’ and seeks out his true love, tomboy farm girl Laurey Williams - beautifully characterised by Sarah Elder - niece of everybody’s favourite Aunt Eller, expertly portrayed by Nicola Openshaw.
Whilst the bright colours and rousing hoedown dances give out a great ‘yeehaa’ atmosphere, matters take a dark turn when Curly’s love rival, Jud Fry played by Dr John Snelling, shows his twisted, murderous side. This is played with such conviction that I’m not sure my visits to Peel surgery will ever be the same again.
Comedy and laughs are raised by Ali Hakim, the crazy ‘Persian Peddlar’ played brilliantly by Dean Callow. His one-liners and fabulously funny facial expressions bring amusement throughout as he desperately tries to avoid committing to local tease Ado Annie (Abi Newton), who shares her affections between the slippery peddler and hunky cowboy Will Parker (Lewis Kelly).
Along with my 11-year-old dance fanatic daughter, we were delighted to see director Anthony William’s amazing choreography playing a huge part in the story - Lewis Kelly’s bandy-legged, thigh-slapping, heel-kicking cowboy moves were spot on!
The show also provided classical ballet through the ‘Out Of My Dreams’ sequence, which cleverly used the youngest male and female members of the cast, Alicia Schofield and Sam Baxter, to recreate the main characters in their childhood. But the romantic dream turns to a nightmare as the menacing Jud appears, with scenes of saloon show girls in frilly corsets and risqué ‘dirty dance’ moves all set off perfectly by the wonderful live orchestra.
Overall it is a top show - the principals’ voices all rang out beautifully, the dancing brought life and character, and the clever staging and set brought it all together perfectly.
My only wish was that the backstage boys and girls got to wrap the show up as they had set it off - bringing our theatre and beautiful stage through its full circle at the end of a high energy, high colour, high talent show.
Oklahoma! continues nightly until Saturday, which will also feature a matinee performance. Tickets from the Gaiety Theatre box office, online at villagaiety.com or by calling 600555.