Reviews

Of all the great composer/lyricist teams, one at the top of the tree is that of Rogers and Hammerstein. Their roster of great musicals covers only 16 years, from their first collaboration, Oklahoma! In 1943, to their ninth and last in 1959, The Sound of Music, but they included the immortal South Pacific, The King and I and Carousel.
Thirty years after their final blockbuster, Walter Bobbie conceived this musical concoction, which was nominated for a Tony Award. Considering how popular musical; compilations are with audiences, it’s surprising that such a delightful, structured, professionally written potpourri of the duo’s songs remained undiscovered for so long.
It’s not just a collection of musical numbers.
Even more than some fully-fledged musicals, this bijou revue has a narrative, albeit a slender one, told entirely in song, which takes us on an emotional journey. It begins with youthful infatuation and the exploratory false starts before finding a partner, and progresses through awakening of real love to weddings, the joys brought by children and the deep satisfaction of a more reflective, lasting love in maturer years.
The songs illustrating the journey, range from passionate to flip, comic, philosophical, joyous and sad. Some are rare examples of the duo’s work, and the well-known numbers often appear in unfamiliar tempi and unexpected arrangements.
Director Patricia Rabin mood mercurially, Peter Agnew has choreographed some simple dance routines and Rosemary Fox as musical director contributes much more than simply a musical backing.
The stage setting festooned with strings of tiny lights, and white gauze panels - echoes the sophistication of the music and its presentation.
The singers - Helen Reid, Nicola Bellman, Samantha Buckthought, Mike Burdon and Mark Sidey - are nothing short of superb, whether as soloists or in ensemble, including some spine-tingling harmonisations. A truly glorious evening.

I last saw this show in the 1980s and I remember well how much I enjoyed it. I was pleased that nostalgia had nothing to do with my enjoyment of this presentation. This was a lively, colourful and delightfully presented show. The principal characters were of the highest quality and none more so that the Music Man himself. He was a tour de force that created an energy which transferred itself to the rest of the company. As a show is enabled the Society to encompass all its age groups. I thought the Townswomen excelled themselves particularly in Eulalie’s ballet. I must also praise the children for their talented contribution, especially the young boy who played Winthrop. The music for this work is difficult, but the MD was in complete charge of his very good orchestra and performers. Excellent use was made of the split level stage with a set that worked very well. The costumes dressed this show beautifully. The lighting design and sound, set this show off. Despite the health problems the company on first night, this was a very splendid evening.