Photos courtesy of Jim Donnell
REVIEW OF BETTY BLUE EYES
Director – Angie McGlashon
Musical Director – Owain Jones
Performed at Ingatestone and Fryerning Community Hall on 14th October 2022 at 7:30pm
I received a warm welcome at IMOG for their performance of Betty Blue Eyes. As we entered the Theatre it was like entering a 1940’s hall waiting for a celebration. There were Union Flags everywhere, a 1940’s street scene graced the stage with a mist lit with red, white and blue spots. The orchestra was visible in the auditorium and this added to the feel of the show. The hall was full and this is a reflection of the community spirit IMOG brings. They are a true village theatre group with members of varying ages and backgrounds coming together to entertain their community. It’s a welcoming and supportive environment to inhabit.
Betty Blue Eyes is a musical comedy, the story revolves around a northern town in post war Britain where the pinch of austerity is taking a toll. In a time of rationing, chiropodist Gilbert Chilvers (Steve Critchell) and his wife Joyce (Denyse Donnell) are trying to find their place in the society. Gilbert steals the pig that the town council are fattening up for their party to celebrate the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Added to the mix are Joyce’s Mother Dear (Lizzie Clark), an eccentric 74-year-old and the evil, meat inspector Ms Wormold (Deborah Fisher).
Gilbert wants a shop in the high street and Joyce wants to join the established clique in the town. The town elite include Dr Swaby (Jeremy Martin), Frances Lockwood (Michael Johnson), Henry Allerdyce (Robert Brett), Mrs Allerdyce (Alison Chilvers), the other shopkeepers and business people of the town. including the police officer Sgt Noble (Bruce Hill); to be elevated to this group Joyce and Gilbert have a job on their hands.
The set was basic but well presented and worked well. Costume and props seemed in keeping with the time and the costumes, including those in the chorus were effective. The music was excellent; there were some great demonstrations of vocal prowess, and the musical direction (Owain Jones) was great, with good communication between the orchestra and the actors.
I enjoyed Gilbert’s miniature car and how it went off to steal Betty. It was great fun and the audience appreciated it too.
The cast are a talented bunch and the characterisation was good. Steve Critchell played Gilbert Chilvers, the chiropodist with magic hands. Steve was a strong lead actor, with a lovable character, loved by all the women and despised by the men. Steve looked the part, great haircut, and his voice matched his character. He was a gentle unassuming man who wanted to do the best for his wife.
Denyse Donnell was a terrific Joyce Chilvers, she looked and sounded fabulous. Her relationship with Gilbert, her mother and her need for recognition were clear. Mother Dear was played by Lizzie Clark. She played the slightly senile septuagenarian with humour and assurance.
The cast was quite large and everyone worked hard on their characters. The town councillors did well with defined characters, Dr Swaby, played by Jeremy Martin had a haughty demeanour, Henry Allerdyce (Robert Brett) was a gentle follower and Frances Lockwood, (Michael Johnson) was the business man who is influenced by the others but who wanted to help Gilbert. All three complemented each other with their singing and I particularly noticed Michael’s voice, I loved his tone.
Mrs Allerdyce and her daughter Veronica were played by Alison Chilvers and Sarah Dodsworth. They were another strong pairing and were very snooty to the Chilvers. Sarah was also the puppeteer for Betty the pig, and the contrast of the two roles was a demonstration of her versatility.
Many of the actors doubled up. Ms Wormold, played by Deborah Fisher was a manic character referred to as the Gestapo because she was checking that there was no black market meat for sale. She was the party pooper and the enemy of the villagers. She doubled as a member of the chorus and played her roles assuredly.
Many of the characters deserve a mention but I’ll pick out a few. The farmer Sutcliffe, (Nik Graham) great comic character. Neil Horner as Metcalf and Nuttall strong acting and voice. Carly Ersser as Babs Barraclogh and Regina Bowen, was also confident and talented. The Royal couple included Princess Elizabeth played by Lynne Johnson, (who also played Mrs Lester), Lynne has a beautiful tone to her voice and she played her part with dignity.
The songs were all performed well, with good use of the stage and choreography that showcased the teamwork of the company. Magic Fingers performed by Mrs Roach, Mrs Turnbull and Mrs Lester (Emma Dyos, Sarah Cuff and Lynne Johnson) was an example of clever choreography and musicality, As was Lionheart, a representation of a 1940s harmony group that included the talents of
Jacqui De La Salle and Anne Horemans as well as the aforementioned Emma and Sarah.
I enjoyed this show. It was great fun despite a few sound hiccups. Well done to the director Angie McGlashon, and the entire cast and backstage crew.
Zahna Hull
District 10 Representative
NODA East
Director – Angie McGlashon
Musical Director – Owain Jones
Performed at Ingatestone and Fryerning Community Hall on 14th October 2022 at 7:30pm
I received a warm welcome at IMOG for their performance of Betty Blue Eyes. As we entered the Theatre it was like entering a 1940’s hall waiting for a celebration. There were Union Flags everywhere, a 1940’s street scene graced the stage with a mist lit with red, white and blue spots. The orchestra was visible in the auditorium and this added to the feel of the show. The hall was full and this is a reflection of the community spirit IMOG brings. They are a true village theatre group with members of varying ages and backgrounds coming together to entertain their community. It’s a welcoming and supportive environment to inhabit.
Betty Blue Eyes is a musical comedy, the story revolves around a northern town in post war Britain where the pinch of austerity is taking a toll. In a time of rationing, chiropodist Gilbert Chilvers (Steve Critchell) and his wife Joyce (Denyse Donnell) are trying to find their place in the society. Gilbert steals the pig that the town council are fattening up for their party to celebrate the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Added to the mix are Joyce’s Mother Dear (Lizzie Clark), an eccentric 74-year-old and the evil, meat inspector Ms Wormold (Deborah Fisher).
Gilbert wants a shop in the high street and Joyce wants to join the established clique in the town. The town elite include Dr Swaby (Jeremy Martin), Frances Lockwood (Michael Johnson), Henry Allerdyce (Robert Brett), Mrs Allerdyce (Alison Chilvers), the other shopkeepers and business people of the town. including the police officer Sgt Noble (Bruce Hill); to be elevated to this group Joyce and Gilbert have a job on their hands.
The set was basic but well presented and worked well. Costume and props seemed in keeping with the time and the costumes, including those in the chorus were effective. The music was excellent; there were some great demonstrations of vocal prowess, and the musical direction (Owain Jones) was great, with good communication between the orchestra and the actors.
I enjoyed Gilbert’s miniature car and how it went off to steal Betty. It was great fun and the audience appreciated it too.
The cast are a talented bunch and the characterisation was good. Steve Critchell played Gilbert Chilvers, the chiropodist with magic hands. Steve was a strong lead actor, with a lovable character, loved by all the women and despised by the men. Steve looked the part, great haircut, and his voice matched his character. He was a gentle unassuming man who wanted to do the best for his wife.
Denyse Donnell was a terrific Joyce Chilvers, she looked and sounded fabulous. Her relationship with Gilbert, her mother and her need for recognition were clear. Mother Dear was played by Lizzie Clark. She played the slightly senile septuagenarian with humour and assurance.
The cast was quite large and everyone worked hard on their characters. The town councillors did well with defined characters, Dr Swaby, played by Jeremy Martin had a haughty demeanour, Henry Allerdyce (Robert Brett) was a gentle follower and Frances Lockwood, (Michael Johnson) was the business man who is influenced by the others but who wanted to help Gilbert. All three complemented each other with their singing and I particularly noticed Michael’s voice, I loved his tone.
Mrs Allerdyce and her daughter Veronica were played by Alison Chilvers and Sarah Dodsworth. They were another strong pairing and were very snooty to the Chilvers. Sarah was also the puppeteer for Betty the pig, and the contrast of the two roles was a demonstration of her versatility.
Many of the actors doubled up. Ms Wormold, played by Deborah Fisher was a manic character referred to as the Gestapo because she was checking that there was no black market meat for sale. She was the party pooper and the enemy of the villagers. She doubled as a member of the chorus and played her roles assuredly.
Many of the characters deserve a mention but I’ll pick out a few. The farmer Sutcliffe, (Nik Graham) great comic character. Neil Horner as Metcalf and Nuttall strong acting and voice. Carly Ersser as Babs Barraclogh and Regina Bowen, was also confident and talented. The Royal couple included Princess Elizabeth played by Lynne Johnson, (who also played Mrs Lester), Lynne has a beautiful tone to her voice and she played her part with dignity.
The songs were all performed well, with good use of the stage and choreography that showcased the teamwork of the company. Magic Fingers performed by Mrs Roach, Mrs Turnbull and Mrs Lester (Emma Dyos, Sarah Cuff and Lynne Johnson) was an example of clever choreography and musicality, As was Lionheart, a representation of a 1940s harmony group that included the talents of
Jacqui De La Salle and Anne Horemans as well as the aforementioned Emma and Sarah.
I enjoyed this show. It was great fun despite a few sound hiccups. Well done to the director Angie McGlashon, and the entire cast and backstage crew.
Zahna Hull
District 10 Representative
NODA East
