Sweet Charity@ The Crescent

When one is to review an amateur performance, a lower level of expectation is required and a different criteria in terms of assessing the effectiveness and entertainment value of the piece. However, the last two amateur productions of musical theatre I have seen over the last year have been outstanding , Spring awakening at the theatre in question was highly effective as was the impressive production of Jekyll and Hyde at the Solihull arts centre in May, so with the possibility of a great performance from non -professionals, you can imagine my reaction to the under rehearsed, farcical, badly acted production of ‘Sweet Charity’ by The Circle Light Opera Company, (who I hope to God don’t ever attempt an opera, because if they can’t even pull off ‘Sweet Charity’ then the results of a light operetta would be tragic). Budget had clearly been spent on tacky 1960s costumes which were not suited to the majority of the overweight cast and it seemed that the sullen faced dancers had a disproportionate amount of sequinned apparel to complement their basic arm movements. The lead actress was vocally challenged, but well acted and credit must go to the vocals of Zinia Zedham. Overall the acting of the chorus was passable for an amateur production, but the wavering accents of cameo roles was all too much, to go from deep South, to New York to the West Midlands in a mere three sentences was really quite an achievement. Technical hitches (and this production had plenty) and first night nerves are understandable and I’ve been through these myself, however the way one deals with such problems is the most significant thing and mouthing into the orchestra pit and scowling at other cast members because you came into a song too early certainly isn’t the right way to do so. I always go into the theatre with an open mind but this time even as a lover of musical theatre I was incredibly unimpressed. As much fun as it would be to watch your family member in a production, charging up to £12.00 a ticket for a show of this kind is highly inappropriate.