Compilation shows are hard work aren't they?! We have vivid memories of being on stage for 41 out of the 42 numbers in one such production and so can sympathise with your efforts this time. On the other hand, such shows do give an opportunity to some members who might not get a principal role in a normal show, to show their talents to an audience. After buying our "Lucky Bucket" raffle tickets - sensible to have £1 per ticket instead of fiddling about with 5 for £1 or something similar - the lights went down but there was a pregnant pause before anything happened. At such a critical stage in a show this is to be avoided at all costs unless there is a real crisis. The on-stage band had some excellent players and soon had the audience back in the right mood for the lavish spectacle which was the well dressed opening sequence from "Dolly" ably fronted by Nick King with Karen Benny, Dawn Slaughter, Dave Simpson and the full company joining him for "It's Today" then, with just the right kind of voice, Sue Astbury fronting "Big Time". We're afraid that the Wardrobe did not do any favours here for some of the girls with sleeveless dresses which really shouldn't be worn by anyone over a size 14 if at all possible. Ruth Roberts was lovely in "Need a Little Christmas" but it would have helped if David Smith had smiled rather more often and although some phrases were too low, the harmony was great. Back to "Dolly" for "Sunday Clothes" again a slight criticism of Wardrobe - in this period if ladies are wearing hats, they should also wear gloves; a small touch which would have added so much to the effect as would at least same parasols in the front row if you can't find enough for all the girls. Girls, do get someone to look at you before you go on - one of you turned round showing a dress that had not been properly done up; the result perhaps of too many costume changes? The "You I Like" performers should have had hats to tip and one of the dancers did look dreadfully serious in stark contrast to the rest who were showing the right enjoyment. "Need a Little Christmas" reprise worked well and the "Shalom" two part harmony was very good but again, some people looked oh so serious! Unfortunately, the sight lines from where we were sitting prevented us from seeing much of Colin Smith's presentation of "A Little More Mascara" - inevitable at times with this kind of auditorium layout - but the finished product was very well managed and he had obviously worked hard on walking in those shoes! Here again, the girls' costumes were lovely but your imbalance of girls vis-a-vis men was noticeably prominent. Maureen Lippiatt can always be relied on to make the most of numbers like "Man In The Moon" and she did not disappoint showing her experience in painting the lyrics in just the right tongue in cheek style. We fear that despite Karen Anstiss' best efforts, it just did not make sense of the lyrics to have a girl performing "I Am What I Am" which has almost become an anthem of the gay community - might perhaps have worked if it had been played 'butch' but Karen didn't have a chance as such a feminine young lady. The lib leading into "I Won't Send Roses" was very well managed with Jo Burton, Martin Elliff and Sheena Muir giving a well sung and very believable performance. For "Ribbons Down My Back" again a hat was needed but Sarah King gave us a sweetly sung rendering of the number, although there were perhaps rather too many breaths in the wrong places, probably due to quite unnecessary nerves. Using Jo Burton, Dawn Slaughter and Margaret Kitchingman as singers in "Dancing" with just one couple in Sarah King and Rob Eveleigh fronting worked well and helped to disguise the shortage of men. There was lots of energy on display from the men as Sam Thomas led them in "It Takes A Woman" which is always fun to perform. Vicky Furzer-Pickett and Alex Hewitt did well in "Wherever He Ain't" with attractive dresses far the girls and "Hundreds Of Girls" really did seem like that as they overwhelmed just three men despite the best efforts of Adrian Duce, Dave Benny and Philip Elliott with the thankless task of trying to outshine the girls. There was lovely part singing in "So Long Dearie" led by Karen Steel but the 'goodbyes' were rather serious. Again, there was strong chorus singing in both "And I Was Beautiful" and "Kiss Her Now" but this did not outshine either Stephanie King or Dave Benny. Sheena Muir headed the beautiful number in "Time Heals Everything" which was very well sung indeed and included some wonderfully sensuous dancing. Karen Anstiss' solo "Before The Parade" had less than perfect intonation and with "Open A New Window", the solos were not really up to the excellent chorus singing. After the hearty fish and chip supper (wonderfully organised, as was the bar) into Act II and "Movies Were Movies" with some very imaginative 'OTT' character performances from many of the chorus leading into a good "Look What Happened To Mabel" from Linda Hayes and the men followed by Martin Elliff with "My Best Girl"; excellent pointing of the words here. Then a good tongue in cheek spoof of Janette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy where Stephanie King conveyed the essential spirit of the character. There was a good picture on "Smile" at the end of "Go To The Movies". "It Only Takes A Moment" needs a good looking young man and this we had with Guy Chaperlin who had a good style of voice for the number. Karen Benny then demonstrated her stack of quirky facial expressions in "What Do I Do Now". One has to fake it to same extent unless everyone in the company can tap well but unfortunately, those singing at the back for "Tap Your Troubles" couldn't be heard when those at the front were tapping. Inevitable perhaps but a shame nevertheless. These same back rows did a good job of the faking in the early part of the number and the 'real' tappers did not disappoint in what is always a sure fire number for any audience. "I Belong Here" was unfortunately, too difficult for Jane Salisbury and Rob Eveleigh - it really is a stinker to master isn't it? Nick King, however had no such problem with "I Don't Want To Know" where he particularly expressed the words well and showed plenty of energy. Jan Marchant and Linda Kinghorn grabbed at the chance to shine in "Bosom Buddies" - what girls wouldn't? It's a peach of a number and they obviously thoroughly enjoyed it as did the audience. In "Song On The Sand", there was some more very good choral singing and Nick King grew in confidence as the beautiful number progressed; the last chorus was particularly lovely. Again, Jim Simpson gave a thoughtful rendering of "I'll Be Here Tomorrow" with a particularly sympathetic piano accompaniment. There were good contrasts in Sue Astbury's well-sung "If He Walked Into My Life" but it is unfortunately not such a good number to start with - even Jerry Herman couldn't win them all! "I Promise You A Happy Ending" is more difficult to sing than it seems as Sam Thomas no doubt discovered but the company gave us a really happy ending with three numbers which between them sum up the exuberant success of most of Jerry Herman's shows. For the Finale medley, there was imaginative 'do-able' choreography and confident part singing plus individual exits in character, although in the "Dolly" walk down, same performers looked more confident than others. The neat black gear suited everyone. Once again, the band displayed their flair and musicianship in the play out which I am sure they enjoyed as much as the audience did. Congratulations on accepting the challenge of such a show and on bringing it off successfully. Also particular congratulations to MD Martin Wilcox who had done so well in producing a lot of enjoyable part singing from you all. We do hope that by the time your next show comes around, you will have a new Regional Rep to cultivate a good relationship between you and NODA - any volunteers? Dorothy Lawson

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