Review
in the Farnham Herald
Variety
in the Bill
We have all come to expect professional actors, whether
drama or comedy specialists, to be able to turn their
hands to matters musical. After all, it’s part
of their training. But when a local amateur group who
are not budding Maltings opera stars produce such a
delightful performance of cabaret, wit and musical comedy
that a full house enjoyed at the new St.Joan’s
Centre, then we know that real theatre is alive and
kicking in Farnham.
The production was The Shakespeare Revue a mix
of wit, satire and musical comedy performed faultlessly
by nine bow tied and posh frocked members of Farnham
Shakespeare Company, plus one guest appearance.
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Directed by Ann Wake and skilfully supported
on the piano by Musical Director Robin Wells, there were
two hours of group and solo pieces courtesy of such greats
as Cole Porter, Sandy Wilson, Noel Coward and Steven Sondheim.
That’s not to mention the hilarious offerings of the
likes of Victoria Wood, Maureen Lipman, Stephen Fry, Hugh
Laurie, Bill Oddie and many others, plus those of William
Shakespeare himself.
The performances were slick; the character switching
was seamless and as good as any TV equivalent. It seems
unfair to all involved to pick out any individual routine
but there were some undeniable gems: Victoria Paterson’s
plebeian monologue of Joe and Me at the Play and
Sally Waghorn and Hilary Lee-Corbin’s two-hander,
with audience Franglais participation, in The English
Lesson.
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Joe Huddleston’s impersonation of
Just William in William and the Lost Tourist was
masterly as were the contributions by Noel Thompson, Bernard
Whelan, Mike Williams and Ellis Nichols, the last of whom
had been assured of his audience by giving an impromptu
performance of one of his songs at a garden party the
previous weekend.
With Di Huddleston and guest Alexandra Lee-Corbin joining
the chorus for rousing renditions and reprises of Brush
Up Your Shakespeare, a good time was had by all.
Watch out for The Merry Wives of Windsor this
autumn. For information, visit www.farnhamshakespeare.co.uk
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