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Search forCrowds 'Cain't Say No' to show
Wednesday, November 19, 2008, 09:00
The Grimsby & Cleethorpes Amateur Operatic Society put on a great show with Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic Oklahoma.
The musical is set in Oklahoma Territory outside the town of Claremore in 1906, it tells the story of cowboy Curly McLain and his romance with farm girl Laurey Williams.
A secondary romance concerns flirtatious Ado Annie and her long-suffering fiancé Will Parker.
The society proved why it has been around 100 years at the opening night of the musical at the Grimsby Auditorium.
With so many well known songs and legendary productions it is a big ask, but the society had it down to a tee.
The audience loved the classic songs such as ' I Cain't Say No' and 'Farmer and the Cowman'.
With stunning performances from Rosie-Ellen Stark as Laurey and Hayley Wrightham as Ado Annie, together with a menacing showing from Don Souter as Jud Fry, the show was brilliant from start to finish.
Together with superb vocals from lead male Toby Campbell as Curly McLain and the amusing additions of Jeannine Ridha as Auntie Eller, and Kevin Campbell as Ali Hakim ,the entertainment was constant.
There were also solid performances from Gary Howson as Will Parker and David Phillips as Andrew Carnes.
The production was aided by a 19 piece orchestra and songs including 'many a new day' allowed Stark to show her excellent range of vocals and the whole cast was choreographed brilliantly in the final rendition of the title theme 'Oklahoma'.
The huge production was an instant success and shows that the only thing amateur about the society is the name.
See for yourself:
Oklahoma runs until November 22. Get tickets from the Grimsby Auditorium box office, (01472) 311300/ 0844 847 2426
Joe Calzaghe at the Beachcomber
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