Taking a punt on a new show that few people know anything about can be a risky business as many a Society can testify, writes David Lockwood.
However, Huddersfield Musical Theatre Company’s gamble to perform the musical adapted from the 1988 film which starred Michael Caine and Steve Martin as two conmen working on the French Riviera, should really pay dividends.
The show is fabulously funny and is definitely worth the admission price if you can get down to the theatre for one of the last three performances (tonight and two more tomorrow).
Principally the show is a five-hander, plus a delightful cameo performance from one of the town’s most talented up-and-coming performers, Molly Griffiths as Jolene.
Much depends on the quality of the leading quintet however, and producer Michael Hellawell and choreographer AdeleTaylor must be equally delighted and proud of what they have achieved between them for this north of England amateur premiere.
The two conmen, played by Craig Squance as Lawrence Jameson and Dan Henry as Freddy Benson, are simply brilliant, sparking off each other throughout.
And both seem perfectly comfortable whether on script or, indeed, off it as several topical lines produced huge guffaws from last night’s audience to accompany the hilarity from the antics of Squance and Henry’s wonderfully-drawn characters.
Holly Comber-Moccia provides the perfect foil as Christine Colgate, the butter wouldn’t melt in the mouth ‘little innocent’ American heiress, who becomes the target for the conniving duo.
This is Holly’s debut with the company and surely won’t be the last.
Alongside Holly is her husband Dominic as Inspector Andre Thibault, Lawrence’s ‘secretary’ and arranger who, along with the lithesome Sonya Morris as Muriel, lend much to the success of this tremendous production with another two fine performances.
There isn’t a great deal of work for the chorus but, along with some excellent dancers, they do add some colour and support to the show as do a fine band under the direction of musical director Gordon Balmforth.
There are no well-known numbers in the show, but the music is catchy enough and well sung by the principals.
Fine scenery complement the production, although some of the changes occasionally interrupt the flow but, nevertheless, this is a super night’s entertainment and it is certainly a production that the company (and the cast) can be very proud of.
If you can down tonight or tomorrow, you won’t be disappointed.
