Talented principals

All the principals sang clearly and wherever they sang loud enough hardly a line was missed. It is difficult to recall in Extravs over the just eight years such a talented group of principals. The chorus, younger this year than previously, provided more than adequate decoration, was just as unwieldy in movement, but sang quite well.

The "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered" number with Dennis Brown was the best chorus number in the show. Perhaps at last VUC can try a musical comedy along "Salad Day?" and "Guys and Dolls" lines, perhaps even a show with a plot.

The lyrics to familiar tunes were catchy, competent, and clever, without reaching the heights of isolated lyrics in previous shows. Garth Young's band in the modern style was as good as any touring band heard at the Opera House, but, as usual, the brass needed firmer control.

Awkward stage-movements sometimes marred the fluency of the production and late entrances spoilt cohesion. Lighting was adequate and unexciting, except for the "macabre" number. The first act was good, the second not so, but a rousing finale continued a worthy practice.

The script was more coherent than usual, with fewer bewildering devolutions, transformations, and transitions. Some members of the audience complained about viewing for the umpteenth year the same old characters, but undoubtedly they were more skilfully (and more gainfully employed).

The international scene was not prominent, and apparently the barbed political reference of Bollinger and gang has gone out of fashion. Similarly, good old-style sex found no place in a rather antiseptic Extrav., and lavatory humour caused not the lightest flush.