With any am-dram production there are always strong players and the weaker ones.

Croydon Stagers have such strength in their team that any weak spots in their last production Oklahoma! were blotted out by dazzling performances.

Let me say first off, what a joy it was to have such enthusiastic, well choreographed dance routines for the men.

So often reluctant to strut their stuff, men usually shuffle in the chorus and let the stars take the all glory.

Well, in Oklahoma! at the Ashcroft Theatre last week there was mighty fine dancing from all the guys.

Of course the gals did well too, especially in the Dream Ballet.

The amazing Jeremy Pelzer fitted into Curly's hat and chaps so well, he was a natural, and Oh, what a beautiful voice!

Sarah Ioannou sang out loud and clear as Laurey and took on this petulant character earnestly. Just sometimes she appeared vague in expression and lacked conviction in her emotional dilemma.

Jud, poor Jud, a slight case of over acting, but a monster performance from Patrick Harrison.

Briar Blake as Aunt Eller held the threads of the plot together well.

Endearingly comic as Ali Hakim, Jim Orton sounded more like Manuel from Fawlty Towers than a Persian salesman, but he matched the overdressed, be-wigged love interest Ado Annie.

Costume department please decide whether its wigs all round or none at all.

Sam Roche's character was swamped in a violent polka dot outfit and blonde wig with a hat nailed on it, that made her look like a cross between a panto dame and Aunt Sally from Wurzel Gummidge.

Under another intricate mass of ringlets Tonia Hopkins jarred the proceeding with the awful screeching of Gertie Cummings, yet she got loads of laughs in all the right places.

But these little nags are not really fair, it's just that Croydon Stagers put on such a marvellous show, I really forgot it was an amateur production.

The ensemble and Curly made an exciting finish with the stirring title song Oklahoma!

December 13, 2001 16:30