With its original speech rhythm opening scene, its nimble musical numbers demanding speed and preciseness of articulation, and its final parody of a Beethoven minuet, this is a musical with a difference. A challenge indeed to the small Walmsley Church Operatic Society with the big ideas. One wonders why they resisted it so long.
Not that the performance was an unalloyed success on the opening night at the Egerton (Bolton) schoolroom theatre. The company was too long warming up for that. But in fairness the band parts only arrived that day and the second half was so much better than the first that one feels justified in predicting that tonight's second performance will be really in the groove.
The thin story concerns a bogus professor of music. Harry Lee, who played the part is thin too, but only physically. He was not short of talent and his expressive face had conman so clearly written all over it that no-one would ever really have fallen for him.
The romantic interest was supplied by Edna Unsworth a high soprano as Marian but she played it appropriately cool. Graham Yardley, who denounced the music man, Philip Lloyd, Marcellus his one friend, and Tom Topping as the Mayor were strong in support.
Peter Pemrick, Alec Greaves, Bill Livesey and Robin Foster not only looked perfectly in character, but were a harmony four of inspired choice. David Tyldsley was the producer.
