The Leigh Operatic and Dramatic Society's production of Betty Blue Eyes was a fun filled frolic full of laughs, colourful characters & catchy songs.
Betty Blue Eyes, the story of an illegal pig, a grand event in honour of royalty nd a over zealous meat inspector was played out brilliantly by LODS at The Palace Theatre, Southend this past week.
Having seen several recent LODS productions I was first struck by the apparent simplicity of the set, something that matched the time, this along with the superb costuming really made it feel like post-war Britain.
Michael James and Joanne Halliday played the lead roles of Gilbert and Joyce Chilvers and were stunning in the roles. Michael played Gilbert with a sense of wide-eyed innocence and naivety that made the character really endearing, whilst Joanne's Joyce was fierce, feisty and a fabulous dancer. Completing the family unit, and almost stealing the show, was Helen Sharpe as Mother Dear. Having seen her in previous roles, including Acid Queen and Morticia Adams, I was astonished to see her play a convincing 74 year old, although I really shouldn't have been surprised, she is such an amazing actress.
Playing the town council members and pig owners were Simon Sharpe, Andy Stone and Peter Brown. Each had their own character and they worked very well together, although Andy's gurning Henry Allardyce was a standout character.
Andrew Seal brought the sneering Inspector Worwmold to life and played the role with a sense of intitlement that made the character incredibly real.
A special mention has to go to Matthew Wallace, Sam Blyth and Rebecca Wallace, all of whom excelled in their smaller roles.
Finally, well done to Betty herself, Sara Hickling. It can't be easy to be in a show and not have lines to portray the character, but with the smallest of facial movements and the occasional poked out tongue she brought puppet Betty to life and made the audience fall in love with her, just like the characters.
Songs of note in the show included Goodbye Austerity Britain, A Place on the Parade, Magic Fingers (superb singing from the ladies in this song), Betty Blue Eyes and Pig, No Pig (absolutely hilarious). Well done to the MD, Rachel Plunkett, conductor, Stuart Woolner, and the band for what sounded like faultless playing to me.
As a final note, I would like to congratulate whoever designed the programme. An excellent idea, executed well.
LODS' next show will be Forbidden Broadway's Greatest Hits (18th - 22nd July) followed by Whistle Down the Wind (18th - 21st October).