Last updated 13:00, Tuesday, 11 November 2008

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Walney Amateur Operatic Society's production of 42nd Street. November 10th-15th 2008. SHEENAH ALCOCK REF: 0458304

42nd Street: Forum 28, Barrow until Saturday

PEGGY Sawyer is a young, talented, hometown girl, with a change of clothes in her suitcase and stardust in her eyes.
She’s hoping for a part in Broadway director Julian Marsh’s new musical featuring Dorothy Brock, an ageing star destined for an unfortunate pre curtain-up accident. Someone’s
going to have to step in and save the show!
That’s the story. But with smash hit numbers like Lullaby of Broadway, About A Quarter to Nine, We’re in the Money and 42nd Street filling the score like plums in a Christmas pud, who needs more?
Not Walney Musical Theatre’s take on this 1980s tribute to Sunday afternoon matinee classics Gold Digger of 1933 and 42nd Street.
Director David Marcus has inspired his talented principals, dancers and enthusiastic chorus-line to whisk up a production that gives the Forum a taste of the sparkle, glitz and glamour of a Busby Berkeley original.
And although the sets may not put icing on the pudding, the acting, singing, costumes and Deborah Brown’s choreography surely do.
There are certainly some heavyweight performances in town this week – Kay Charnley makes a welcome return to local theatre as Dorothy, entering stage right more like Lady M in the Scottish Play, act two scene one, than a musical
comedy star, while Mark Johnson’s disillusioned director has all the charm of a trail-boss on a cattle drive through Indian country.
But they make compelling viewing and, of course, deep down have hearts of gold.
There are plenty of jokes, too. Long-time favourite Elaine Parkinson, as co-author Maggie Jones, admonishes the chorus girls on dating musicians: “We keep ’em in a pit, and for good reason!” she warns. That brings a smile to musical director Peter Dyer and the lads and lasses in the band, who yet again prove skill can make up for lack of numbers.
Every so often I’m privileged to see a new star rising.
It’s Walney’s turn to win the lottery this time. Leading lady Laura Jane Waddington’s performance mirrors the show. Singing and dancing pro-style, her Peggy, showing that pretty girl-next-door smile, lights the stage like Blackpool illuminations!
JOHN TWYFORD