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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
Seven Brides For Seven Brothers
Verdict: American musical
It's 19th Century America. Adam Pontipee rides into town, finds a bride, rides out again. He doesn't shoot up the sheriff - this is the Wild West, not the Wildean.
There are 6 more Pontipee brothers - straight out of Deliverance - banned from town for past mayhem. Bride Milly trains the lads up to respectability and the village social dance. There's a fight, the boys leave in disgrace - and lovestruck.
Taking a cue from The Rape Of The Sabine Women - which Milly's reading - Adam gets the lads to kidnap a bride apiece. Winter snows separate the town from the house. By spring the brides are in love. The vicar rides out to marry them.
A strong cast of brothers, brides, jealous town suitors, and townsfolk deliver a spectacular version of this enormous - cast of 31 - musical.
Presented here by the distinguished amateur dramatics company Ad Lib, the musical's songs include Bless Your Beautiful Hide, Wonderful Wonderful Day, One Man, Love Never Goes Away, Lonesome Polecat, The Townsfolk's Lament, A Woman Ought To Know Her Place, We've Gotta Make It Through The Winter, Spring Spring Spring, Glad That You Were Born.
Two outstanding lead performances drive the action. Jenny Rowe delivers a spectacular performance as Milly, her magnificent voice thrilling in each solo and duet. Gifted and handsome Chris Wade is a fine and robust Adam, subtly catching the nuances of the character and delivering songs with panache.
The script of Seven Brides For Seven Brothers is based on the 1954 film, based on a 1920s novel The Sobbin' Women, by Stephen Vincent Benét, based on The Rape Of The Sabine Women, from Romulus in Plutarch's Lives - (a book that Milly carries). There's also a strong overtone of Snow White And The Seven Dwarves.
It's a tale of primitive Americans attacking the defenceless to grab what they want by the use of overwhelming force - and afterwards applying a thin layer of surface morality by way of justification. Arab viewers may find this familiar.
Cast Credits (alpha order): Leads: Jenny Rowe - Milly. Chris Wade - Adam. Brides: Alexandra Bowley - Dorcas. Gabby Farnish - Alice. Hannah Greenslade - Ruth. Caroline Hoy - Liza. Abbie Rugg - Sarah. Emma Woods - Martha. Brothers: Gareth Heale - Gideon. Rob Jarman - Daniel. Chris Malone - Caleb. Jamie Reeves - Benjamin. Michael Richens - Ephraim. Allan Sahbani - Frank. Suitors: James Edenborough. Derek Ruby. Mathew Ruby. Philip Ruby. Nick Young. Townspeople: Ashley Barton - Jeb. Will Brooks - Preacher. Rebecca Brown - Mrs Bixby. Tanya Coe - Townsgirl. Jo Epps - Townsgirl. Laura Goodwin - Dorcas's Sister. Amy McVicar - Pretty Girl / Bride. Nicola Ray - Townsgirl. Clare Ruby - Townsgirl. Rob Stark - Mr Perkins. Peter Watson - Mr Bixby. Marie Woods - Mrs Perkins. Musicians: Musical Director / Keyboards - Nathan Jarvis. Keyboards - Peter Lole. Trumpet - James Davey. Trombone - Matt Dobson. Reed 1 (Flute / Piccolo) - Libby Green. Reed 2 (Oboe) - Catriona MacKinnon. Drums - Yohann Saide.
Company Credits: Director - Juliette Stark. Choreographer - Ellyn Phillips. Musical Director - Nathan Jarvis. Dance Captains: Hannah Greenslade, Rob Jarman. Production Administrator - Annie Deasy. Stage Manager - Eric Williams. Assistant Stage Manager - Jim Nichols. Stage Crew: Sam O'Reilly, Jo Epps, Moses Ogundeji, Bryan Ruby. Lighting - David Buffham. Sound - Stuart Vaughan. Props - Laura Alleyn. Costume Co-Ordinator - Jan Rugg. Front Of House Manager - Philip Ruby. Front Of House Supervisor - Pat Martin. Publicity & Programme - Derek Ruby. Box Office - Ron Ruby, Shirley Ruby. Company - Ad Lib Productions Limited (Lea Cairns, Annie Deasy, Patricia Martin, Derek Ruby). Thanks to: Malden Wanderers Cricket Club. South Wimbledon Community Centre. David Gifford. Jack McGrane. The London Oratory School. Bryan Ruby. Rebecca Brown. Rob Stark. Jen Stark. Janet Epps. Eddie. Seven Brides For Seven Brothers - Josef Weinberger Limited for Music Theatre International New York. 1954 Screenplay by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Dorothy Kingsley, based on The Sobbin' Women (novel approx 1920), by by Stephen Vincent Benét.
END
John Park
reviewed Wednesday 2 June 04 / London Oratory School Theatre
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
