LAOS take the plunge with South Pacific
RESIDENTS were swept away to the South Pacific with LAOS’ latest production at Loughborough Town Hall on Tuesday, September 12.
Before the audience had even reached their seats, they were transported back in time as cast members were already on stage singing and tackling impressive period dances - a very nice touch.
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s timeless musical is a wonderfully old fashioned love story, underpinned by the darker themes of war and racial prejudice.
Popular Loughborough - and West End - performer Jonathan Penton headed LAOS’ cast as Emile De Becque alongside Gemma Landers as Nellie Forbush.
Gemma showcased her vocal capability from her first song, A Cockeyed Optimist, and continued to do so in Some Enchanted Evening, I’m in Love With a Wonderful Guy and the toe-tapping Honey Bun.
Her rendition of I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair, with Natalie Littlewood (Dina), Nicole Ray (Janet) and the nurses, breathed new life into the classic song and this reviewer was still humming it the following day.
Jonathan Penton embodied his mysterious French character Emile and his low, almost operatic, vocals were very impressive indeed.
The love between the two leads was believable with constant eye contact during the opening dance making the audience buy into it from the start.
Ollie Lewin took the role of dashing young Lieutenant Cable and, though his vocals weren’t the strongest, they had a charming softness to them which worked well in Younger Than Springtime.
Gemma Baxter did a fantastic job of playing the eccentric Bloody Mary and, as well as proving she can tackle comedy, she wowed with her vocals, giving an almost hypnotic performance of Bali Ha’I.
Chris Wilson also received plenty of laughs - and raised a few eyebrows with a coconut bra and grass skirt - as Luther Billis.
Being funny clearly comes easy to Chris and he is a real asset to LAOS having stood out in Rock of Ages and now in this production.
At the end of the show, many audience members took to their feet to applaud the LAOS crew who, once again, delivered a tight, professional, production under the direction of James Nelson.
It is hard to fault as Hannah Osgood’s choreography was superb, the orchestra played beautifully and the use of stage space was very clever with a foldable set piece.
However, and I hate to say it as it is a classic, award-winning musical, this reviewer wasn’t blown away by the South Pacific storyline.
It was an enjoyable show, but I was left thinking it was ‘nice’, not extraordinary.
Regardless, a big well done to LAOS for trying something different and delivering it well. MC