9th September 2011

CREWKERNE: Back to the sixties with ‘Sweet Charity’

By Marion Draper

MINI skirts and psychedelia greeted the audience for the opening numbers of “Sweet Charity”, the American musical hit being performed by Crewkerne United Dramatic and Operatic Society (CUDOS) this week at the Victoria Hall.

With well known numbers such as “Big Spender” and “Rhythm of Life”, this was a sassy show with a big heart carried well by the experienced cast members under the direction of Ann Brolly, choreographer Sarah Elliott and musical director Martin Emslie.

Charity Hope Valentine, played by the strong-voiced Alex McCallum, is a naive young girl fighting with her own need for love in a world of players. Her comic journey takes her from the dance halls to high class restaurants and the fun people of New York.

The excellent observational writing of Neil Simon suited the CUDOS members well, such as Pete Drury lapping up the cool customer image, Richard Walters enjoying the rich character of Vittorio Vidal and Helen Wickens as Ursula, his fur-ladened lady, and the dancers managed to keep very serious faces through some sixties GoGo moves.

The larger than life Daddy Brubeck was played by Ian Wickens, and Manfred and Herman were played by Greg Groves. Oscar, Charity’s hope for normality, was Nick Harris. The girls were Charmaine Bray, as Nikki, Lorraine Dash as Helene, Angela Eason as Carmen and Beth Dyer as Rosie. Other cast members were Keith Allington, Rosa Atkinson, Miles Browning, Daniel Downes, Jackie Dyer, Polly English, Jacquie Gardiner, Lisa Gage, Katy Lyons, Heidi Scott and Ian Scott.

The hard working production team were Wendy Elliott, Dave Sach and Kerry Peteres, Beth and Jackie Dyer, Dave Brolly, Mike Best, Karl Taylor, Clare French, Leonie Dash, John Perry, Vikki Rolley and Lucy Perry. Dendy Harris was promt, bar manager was Maureen Sach and front of house was run by members and friends.

The society would like to thank the Crewkerne Town Council, Freeman Baker, Press-tige Print, Prelude Sports and Rodfords.

PICTURE 1: BIG SPENDER - The dance hall girls

PICTURE 2: LOOKING FOR LOVE - Charity Hope Valentine played by Alex McCallum