Review: Charity is a sweet night out

A grim wintry evening was brightened by the latest offering from Shrewsbury Amateur Operatic Society.

Shrewsbury Amateur Operatic Society

Ashton Theatre, Shrewsbury

A grim wintry evening was brightened by the latest offering from Shrewsbury Amateur Operatic Society.

Sweet Charity is the society's 120th show and very enjoyable it is too.

I know a great deal of hard work goes into these productions and the efforts paid off last night. But it's a pity that the audience wasn't bigger at Shrewsbury School's Ashton Theatre.

Sweet Charity premiered on Broadway in 1966 and in the same year won a Tony Award for best choreography. In 1969 a film version starred Shirley MacLaine.

The starring role in Shrewsbury this week is being taken by the talented Bexie Archer, who is hoping to pursue a career on the stage.

Her performance is a delight and goodness only knows how she remembers nine songs, almost continuous dialogue and dance routines.

I was also impressed by the singing of Emily Ffloyd and Aimee Lake. But hats off to the rest of the nearly 50-strong cast for their enthusiasm, energy, and the enjoyment they gave us.

This is a musical with plenty of comedy and sharp wit but at times there is also sadness. If you fancy an evening of foot-tapping music then I recommend you go and see Sweet Charity.

It runs until Saturday.

Dave Morris

Letter: Performance of men is worthy of mention too (printed 15/03/10)

I read with interest the review of the Operatic Society's recent performance of Sweet Charity. I rather think that Dave Morris was bewitched by the excellent performances of the girls and missed the very significant contribution by the men.

I think particularly that James Riche's portrayal of Oscar merited mention. It was one of the best character-part performances I've seen for a long time and he is to be congratulated.

Malcolm Booth

Shrewsbury