| "OKLAHOMA!"
was the first collaboration from composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist
Oscar Hammerstein II, who went on to create perennially popular shows such
as Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I and The Sound of
Music. Based on the book Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs, Oklahoma!
was not an instant success when premiered out of town in 1943 – one
critic dubbed it “no gags, no gals, no chance” – but it went on to
break all box office records at its opening on Broadway, winning a special
Pulitzer Prize and changing the face of stage musicals. When the show
opened in London in 1947 it exhilarated audiences used to rationing,
pea-soup fogs and early show times to conserve electricity. It was said
the young Princess Margaret saw it 27 times. |
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Set
against a background of conflict between farmers and cowmen, Oklahoma!
is the story of Laurey and two rivals for her affections – a plot that
is echoed in the story of Ado Annie, who ”Cain’t Say No” to either
Will Parker or a peddler of dubious Persian background.
The
show has been a constant favourite ever since its Broadway premiere, and
in 1998 the Royal National Theatre staged a revival, with Maureen Lipman
as Aunt Eller and Hugh Jackman as Curly, which had a record-breaking run
at Olivier Theatre and later transferred to the West End. |
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For
our presentation of Oklahoma!, I am very pleased to say we cast the show from within the society and
did not had to import
“stars” from other societies. The leading role of Curly was played
by James Crabtree who started in the junior players in 1992 then aged ten
years. At twenty-two he performed his first leading role with Thurton and
Berghapton Players. Our leading lady, Sharon Aitkin who played Laurey comes
from Thurton, Sharon reached the latter rounds of Pop-Idol and has a
fabulous voice. (photo left) |
| Players
favourite Simon Peck played a supporting role along with Becky Sprunt, Paul
Bassingthwaighte, Steven Robinson and making a welcome return to the
Berghapton Stage, Faye Liddle and John Ducker. A strong chorus helped to
make this production one of our strongest. The end of the first act
culminated in a twelve minute Ballet, beautifully choreographed by Sharon
Aitkin.
Sophie Allen and John Ducker gave a great interpretation of Laurey and
Curly with Simon Peck as the Sinister Jud made this a truly haunting
piece of Theatre. |
| Once
again our dancers came from the Heather Millan School of Dance, which is
based in Norwich
David Buckle and Diane
Ellis (pictured right), our resident musicians, provided the accompaniment.
Our set designer Simon Peck
designed some very
clever sets, which glide around the stage with an array of bewildering
movement.
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As
Director I am very pleased with the end result, some very powerful scenes
contrasted with the tender moments in the show and had something for everyone.
|
 Ray
Wharton
Director of Thurton and Berghapton Players |