The following
review appeared in the Belfast Telegraph during the week of our show: Cast & Production Team | Publicity Photos | Dress Rehearsal Photos Act 1 | Act 2 | Show Review
The following
review appeared in the Belfast Telegraph during the week of our show:
If last year’s production of Calamity Jane by this north Belfast company was nominated for, and won, many awards, then this production ought to sweep the boards completely in terms of accolades.
I have seen countless productions of this show, but full marks must go to all involved here for – sticking with the same winning production team as before (director, Siobhan Mullin, musical director, William Cairns and choreographer, Angela Harding) – this is by far one of the best.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, I would have liked this talented company to have chosen a more ensemble-based show to give all time to shine as this show has so few principals, but Mullin has proved me wrong, for her clever and often original direction – with its nice balance of never over-played comic touches – has allowed the well-cast leads to dazzle, while every department shows its collective muscle in a production bereft of any theatrical weakness.
Amazingly, many of the leads are either making their principal debut or company debut in this show with Siobhan Farrell, Chris McGuigan and Drew Reid giving solid support to the strong lead trio.
With his chauvinistic attitude and patter-style vocals, Eugene O’Hagan takes on the role of Henry Higgins with ease, while the gentler and more understanding Colonel Pickering of Kevin McReynolds boasts a natural and delightful diction which could also make him a good Higgins sometime.
However, the ultimate star here is teenage schoolgirl, Anna McCormick, who takes the ever-demanding role of Eliza Doolittle in her stride and proves to be another great find and an all-rounder with this outstanding tour de force as her principal debut.
Boasting too many musical and production highlights to mention, this excellent staging of the rags to riches story deserves to win awards, while great finds like young McCormick not only deserve the highest individual accolades but will also ensure that this company remains rich enough in talent to sustain such high standards for its next 30 years.
Damien Murray