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Whenever I go to see any presentation of an Offenbach show I
always leave wondering who's enjoyed it the most. It does always
seem to be more enjoyable being part of the company than a member
of the audience and this production was no exception.
Having seen this show I spent a few days thinking about what I
had seen before committing pen to paper. Having taken the time I
am still undecided what this particular production was trying to
achieve. It seemed to fall between the original, a lot of
theatrical license and some slapstick. There was a Dame Edna
lookalike Calliope, a Bilko Mercury, a lisping Cupid, an
appearance by the prompt and dancing milk bottles (shades of a TV
commercial) sound effects, including a flushing toilet, etc. I am
still baffled!
There was a saving grace, however. That came in the performance
of Frank Hollows as Styx. This man could give master-classes. I do
hope that some of the newer and less experienced members of this
company did not waste the opportunity to watch and learn from this
man.
I found this production disappointing after last year's
Camelot. I hope the society gets back on track with
Anything Goes which is to be its 1996 production.
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