Jack the Ripper

Review by Vicki Avery
Noda District 9

I was really looking forward to seeing this production, and I wasn’t disappointed as this was very well presented, rehearsed and sung.

The set design and construction had an eye-catchingly effect, representing both the street and the music hall. Using footlights at the front of the stage gave the impression of a music hall whenever needed and I thought the extra waterfront of the Thames added to the overall illusion. Congratulations to Tim Spink and Martin Lester for a great set design and build.

Company singing was great – ’Saturday Night’ was full of gusto as was ‘Sing Sing’. ‘There’s a Boat Coming In’ was filled with hopefulness only to be replaced by the utter misery of ‘Look at Them’.

Tammy Wall gave an excellent performance as Marie Kelly. She was tough but also showed a sensitive side to her character and she sang with emotion. I enjoyed the poignant rendition of ‘Goodbye Day’ with Alison Downes (Annie) and Jenny Lewin (Lizzie).

Poor Annie, not the brightest of women and it was inevitable that she would become a victim – Alison made a really good job of the character. Well done.

Jenny Lewin was kindly and yet unbending as Lizzie Stride and her ‘Step Across The River’ with Marie Kelly was full of pathos.

Louise Bateman as Catherine Eddowes gave a convincing portrayal throughout. Working well with both principals and company. Good facial expressions and body language.

Gill Shaw took on the role of Martha Tabram, whom some believe may have been The Ripper’s first victim. Gill was able to blend her role as Martha and that of a member of the main company perfectly. Convincingly achieved by an experienced actress.

As Dan Mendoza, Carl Robinson was superb. – He strutted around full of confidence as the leader of the gang of men. He was rough and tough and regarded the girls, who were his source of income, as his property. Convincing characterisation here.

Clive Dancey gave a strong performance as Montague Drewitt; very correct and elegant as a man of his class would have been, but also sinister and spine chilling enough to hint at the possibility of his being The Ripper. He made my skin crawl!!

The Chairman must engage the audience from the start and Adam did this very well. In his scene as Charlie Warren, the audience were able to pick up all the innuendo as he gave them time to think. He was splendid in the role. I particularly enjoyed “There Ain’t Any Work Today” which he sang with the company.

Alex Ryde played Bluenose as a gentle soul who was constantly pushed around by Dan and surely was black and blue by the end of the run!

Martin Lester gave a relaxed, confident performance as Slop as did Vinnie Clemmens as Dinky. The gang worked really well together and all three of them added much to the comedy of the piece.

Lady Overcoat was characterised just right by Sarah Gennoe, and her letter-writing scene (where did she learn to write I wonder?) was one of the most entertaining in the show.

Jenny Lewin also played the role of Queen Victoria, which provided a wonderful opportunity to be a posh cockney. She did it well.

As Polly Ann Nichols, Maryann Scott gave a good performance and I believe there is huge potential here for the future.

There were many other named characters who all added to the staging of the musical enabling the audience to be transported back in time to the hardships of life in Whitechapel in the late 1880’s, with characters who would have lived and struggled to survive there. Woven in amongst all that darkness was their spirit of fun, and of course the bawdiness inherent in such a story.

The Policemen’s Chorus was hysterically funny– I loved it. The fact that they weren’t completely dressed as women added to the hilarity and the audience love it too.

Costumes, hair and make-up were suitable for the era, but I felt that the company did not look grubby enough. Perhaps a black eye or a split lip would have added to the desperation of these unfortunate people.

The lighting was especially good and added to the atmosphere to the show. The sound was fine. Projection and diction were exceptional.

A small band was all that was needed for the musical and under Peter Farrell’s direction it was nicely balanced and accompanied the soloists sensitively. Musicality and harmonies were secure.