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NODA Review of Raffles of Singapore The Musical
NATIONAL OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC ASSOCIATION
LONDON REGION
Society ; Henley Amateur Operatic and
Dramatic Society
Production ; "RAFFLES of SINGAPORE" (UK Premiere)
Date ; Thursday 18th November
2010
Venue ; Kenton Theatre,
Henley-on-Thames
Report by ; Henry Hawes - NODA Representative -
Area 13
 On Thursday 18th November 2010, I had the privilege of being invited to
review HAODS latest presentation, the U K Premiere of, "Raffles of Singapore". a
musical by Richard Cleghorn-Brown and Ian Senior. This musical was totally new
to this country and I compliment HAODS for having the courage to take this
challenge on. The end result was one of the finest amateur productions I have
seen in a long time. The story related the rise and fall of 'Raffles' and within
the time constraints of a musical, gave a good insight into his character and
life story, facts that today are little known in this country. The music score
contained some wonderful numbers for both principals and chorus. I congratulate
all concerned in this production and wish it all success for the future.
Alan Elston - (STAMFORD RAFFLES) - This was a commanding performance by Alan
who was virtually on stage for the whole of the performance, portraying
'Raffles' from his humble beginnings, through his life's travels to his eventual
demise. Here we had acting of a high standard so one was left in no doubt that
one was watching 'Stamford Raffles'. Movement, diction, facial expressions could
not be faulted and all this together with an excellent singing voice of power
and control - Congratulations.
Michelle Wesson - (OLIVIA RAFFLES) - This young lady was a veritable find by
HAODS and who made her debut with this society in the role of 'Raffles' wife,
and mother to his daughter 'Charlotte'. Her feelings towards her husband was
well portrayed and in particular towards her daugher, her devestation at the
loss of her daughter could not have been bettered. Vocally, Michelle was superb
delivering a soprano voice of power and clarity which was a joy to listen to - A
superb performance.
Val Jeffries - (Mrs RAFFLES) - As the matriarchal mother of 'Raffles', Val
was excellent. Her efforts to interfere in 'Raffles' career was well displayed.
Her musical numbers were well sung with good diction and phrasing. Her body
language was precise for both her position and period.
Jennamarie Smith - (AGNES)
Samantha Field - (AGATHA) - As the sisters of 'Raffles' I
have combined these two together as both gave good interpretations of young
ladies of the period. Acting, movement and facial expressions was all of a high
order and both made up a quartet of dancers who presented good choreographic
routines - Well done.
Phil Couch - (WILLIAM RAMSEY)
Kevin Goodfellow - (CHARLES LAMB)
Terry Rymer - (LOWSON) - These three, as two clerks and
secretary for the East India Company, together with 'Raffles', who, through
their excellent characterisations, set the scene for what was to follow. All
three had developed some admirable characterisations and brought out all the
humour in the script of the predicament they found themselves in - Three nicely
crafted characters.
Tim Sloane - (ASTELL)
Basil Evans - (LORD MINTO ) - These two as the Chairman and
Governor General of the East India Company respectively, displayed their
animosity towards 'Raffles' at his rapid rise to fame and his failure to comply
with company policy and between them, and others, ensured the downfall of him.
Although not large roles in the overall production, their performance had impact
- Well done.
Raymond Burton - (WILLIAM FARQUHAR) - I have seen Ray on stage in many guises
and he has always presented some good characters, but this one was exceptional
with some of the finest acting I have seen from him. His dislike of 'Raffles'
and his manoeurvring with 'Blagrave' to discredit him was beautifully portrayed.
His singing of the number 'Company Man' could not have been bettered -
Congratulations - a great performance.
Ian Head - (COLONEL GILLESPIE) - As the military officer under the auspices
of 'Farquhar', Ian gave it just the right touch one would expect from a high
ranking officer of the period who was concerned with his position more than
anything else. Again we had acting of a high order with the correct posture and
diction - Well done.
David Parsonson - (BLAGRAVE) - This is th type of role that David seems to
excell in. His machinations with 'William Farquhar' was well portrayed, here
again we had acting of a high order - Well done.
Judy Vaughan - (JELLAHAY) - Judy brought her own individual presence to the
role of 'Jellahay', the mistress of 'Farquhar', and her singing of the number
'The Road To Nowhere' was a joy to listen too.
Charlotte Yates - (CHARLOTTE)
Sarah Robinson - (CHARLOTTE) - This character was double cast due
to current legislation, unfortunately there was no indication in the programme
who was the young person I reviewed on the night of my visit. Whichever one it
was gave an admirable performance as the young daughter of Raffles who sang her
number very confidently.
Keith Jeffries - (PRISONER 1)
Andy James -
(PRISONER 2/ARTIST)
Michael Huntington - (GAOLER)
Peter Dayton - (BAILIFF) - These minor
roles were well filled by this four from the chorus, they had developed
some first rate characterisations which had impact during their brief visit.
Company
Ian Smith, Libby Hallows, Pauline Smith, Jessica Cooper,
Andy James, Caroline Hopkins, Peter Dayton, Kevin Goodfellow,
Keith Jeffries, Tim Sloane, Terry Rymer, Phil Couch,
Mary Dickinson, Basil Evans, Michael Huntington, Judy Vaughan - This group
entered fully into the spirit of this production with a number of them doubling
as some of the minor characters. Vocally they made an excellent sound with well
balanced voices. Movement about the stage area was well controlled and balanced
with all of them showing a joy of performing this new work - Well done.
Dancers/Company
Nicoletta Hartin, Sue Brown, Samantha Field, Jennamarie Smith - These four
performed some excellent choreographic routines which were precise and
attractive with two of the four doubling as Agatha and Agnes.
Junior Company - Group 1
Ted Wilson, Sophia Stevens, Cassie Isley, Charlie Regent - Unfortunately I did
not see this group, who performed on a different night, but I have no doubt that
they were as good as Group 2.
Junior Company - Group 2
Linnea Wilson, Caitlin Stevens, Bronwen Summerwill, Emma Renwick,
Daniel Perry - This group performed on the night of my visit, and they were a
joy to watch, their choreographic routine was well presented with precise
movement and I was pleased to see that they joined in the concerted singing,
they were deserving of the audience's applause.
Julia Rymer - (DIRECTOR) - Congratulations Julia - What a challenge and what
a brilliant end result - I admit, I sat through the whole performance totally
entranced with the performance. It had been well cast and characterised and the
positioning on the Kenton stage could not be faulted. The whole show had pace
and movement and there was nothing I think could have been improved - Once again
many congratulations.
Tim Cumper - (MUSICAL DIRECTOR) -This musical was well served by the
orchestra under the baton of Tim Cumper. It played this new score sensitively
achieving just the right balance between performers and orchestra. Tim had also
worked hard with the cast ensuring they were well versed in this music achieving
the right balance throughout - Well done.
David Parsonson - (CHOREOGRAPHER) - David's choreography ensured that it
reflected the period and the various localities. The Company and the four
specialist dancers had been well rehearsed with precise, controlled movement and
also exhibitted a joy of performing, how good it is to see dancers smile while
carrying out their routines, it makes such a difference.
Emma-Jane Taylor - (JUNIOR CAST CHOREOGRAPHER) - Emma-Jane had devised some
lovely routines for the youngsters and on the night of my visit I saw Junior
Company - Group2 who danced delightfully and was deserving of the loud and
extended applause at the end off their routine. It was also a joy to see them
singing their hearts out in the chorus numbers they were involved with.
Jerry Anderson - (STAGE MANAGER) - A well managed stage throughout and what I
would think, was quite a difficult and untried situation.
Stage Crew - A hard working stage crew that ensured the various scenes and
inserts worked smoothly and ensured a smooth flow to the production.
Bruce Smith - (SOUND ENGINEER & SPECIAL EFFECTS) - How good it is to find a
sound engineer who knows his business. So often I go to so-called professional
theatres who have no idea how to run a sound desk, but Bruce controlled his
desk to perfection, ensuring the mic's were balanced and which came in on cue.
He was also responsible for the special effects which were impressive - Well
done.
Derek Gilbert - (LIGHTING DESIGN) - As one has come to expect from Derek,
this was a first-class lighting design which ensured the right atmosphere was
generated in the many scenes, from London to the tropics.
Lighting operation and follow spot - The lighting operation on the night of
my visit was good with no late cues noticed, I was also impressed with the
operation, and focus, of the follow-spot with no wavering but precise in the
movement.
Set Design, Scenery/Staging - A good set design by Julia Rymer and Scenic
Projects. This must have been quite a challenge devising scenery from scratch
for this show. I found it impressive, it was simplistic and did not detract from
the performers but enhanced them. It had also been designed to ensure swift
changes by the stage crew with the use of gauzes and curtains together with
dramatic back projection.
Wardrobe - This department certainly 'pulled out the stops' with a wonderful
set of costumes which appeared correct in detail for the 1800s as well as for
the present day. They looked clean and appeared to fit every one on stage like a
glove. I did however notice that some of the mens white trousers were very
creased and needed a press.
Dressers - These members must have worked hard with all the costume changes
for principals and chorus, nothing appeared to have been overlooked with members
appearing properly dressed throughout.
Make-up - This had been well applied with all the right characters being
devised and all make-up standing up well under the strong stage lights which
ensured they looked authentic.
Hair - This aspect is often forgotten in amateur productions, particularly
period pieces, but not on this occassion. All the hair had been well styled in
the period - Well done.
Properties - All properties used had been well researched and fitted the
action and the period on stage.
Programme - What a superb programme. It contained a wealth of
information with all the items well laid out. Graphics were excellent and with a
most attractive, eye-catching cover all printed on high quality paper. Just one
small point NODA was founded in 1899 and not 1989 as shown in the programme! I
will be submitting this programme as a contender for a NODA Award irrespective
of that small oversight. (It shows that I read the programme!!)
Front of House - One can always rely on HAODS to present good Front of House
staff who are smartly dressed, friendly, helpful and welcoming to their
audience. This standard is seldom seen these days, keep up the good work.
Many thanks for inviting me to review your latest production "Raffles of
Singapore" and for your hospitality. May I wish you all success with your next
production, you will be hard put to top this one.
Henry
Henry Hawes - NODA Representative - Area 13.
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