Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Review by Vicki Avery
Noda District 9

Taking on a show that few people know anything about can be a risky business as many a Society can testify. However, Welwyn Thalians took the 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 and should really have paid dividends. The show was very funny and definitely should have pulled more people into the theatre.

Principally the show is a five-hander, plus a cameo performance from one of the society’s up-and-coming performers, Kat Foxworthy as Jolene. A good character actress but take care not to push the vocals too hard as there were moments when breath control was not secure. Otherwise I enjoyed your interpretation.

Much depended on the quality of the leading quintet however, and director, Amanda Sayers must have been proud of what they have achieved.

The two conmen, played by Peter Sayers as Lawrence Jameson and Alex Ryde as Freddy Benson were very convincing, sparking off each other throughout. Both seemed perfectly comfortable whether on script, or indeed off it, as several topical lines produced titters from the audience. Vocals were confidently sung and duets well balanced.

Tamsin Goodwin-Connelly provided 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 was Tamsin’s return to the Company after a break of some 16 years, and hopefully she will stay a while. Diction and accent were both well sustained and vocals were secure.

Andre Thibault, Lawrence’s ‘secretary’ and arranger, was played convincingly by Adam Beckman, who along with the competent Alison Downes as Muriel lent much to the success of this production with another two fine performances.

There wasn’t a great deal of work for chorus, but along with some thoughtful choreography they added some colour and support to the show.

There are no well-known numbers in the show, but the music is catchy enough and well sung by both the principals and chorus. I particularly enjoyed “Guys Like Us”.

The orchestra created a really good sound but at times overwhelmed the cast especially where it was spoken word over the music.

The scenes were creative and well planned. The props complemented the scenery and gave an uncluttered appearance. The lighting was well done and the split stage covered extremely well. The costumes worked well but some of the hem lines were a little on the short side and I did not quite understand the mix of evening and day wear in the same scene. The production was very well crafted and the integration of the principals and chorus was evident with each member of the chorus creating their own persona.

Well done on bringing together the many complicated scenes thus creating a story with style and panache.

Thank you once again for your generous hospitality and I look forward to your next production.