MOODY, MELODIC & MAGNIFICENT

Click here to see photos from “CAROUSEL” MARCH 2008:

The Carousel turned for a third time in 50 years in Innerleithen's Memorial Hall when Brian McGlasson's creative production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic opened last week.

The beautiful, sometimes dark, Carousel waltz sets the scene for the show and the brave decision to create a "human" carousel is one that paid off in spades. This imaginative take on the 19th- century fairground scene works perfectly and even makes fantastic use of the limited stage space.

Wilma Knox and Robert Wilson are consummate as the troubled lovers Julie Jordan and Billy Bigelow. Their duet, If I Loved You, captures the moment perfectly, while, individually they shine too, with Wilson's passionate delivery of Soliloquy and Knox's reflective rendition of What's the Use of Wonderin' both demonstrating the depth and quality of both of these performers.

There are some brilliant comic moments from Julie's friend Carrie Pipperidge (the delightfully playful Nicola Watt) and her husband Enoch Snow, played by Mark Taylor with just the right amount of entertaining pomposity. Their duet When The Children Are Asleep marks one of the high points of the show and Watt's rendition of Mr Snow is a thrilling cocktail of demur charm and mischief.

The production involves around 30 children divided into two teams, performing on alternate nights, and they do their best to steal the show!

From the regimented Snow children to the wild bunch of urchins that appear in the ballet, this can only augur well for the future of the society, which is set to celebrate its centenary in 2008/09.

Playing the part of Julie and Billy's daughter, Louise, is 18-year-old Miriam McGinn who first appears in her role during the ballet scene, which she dances with great poise. Devised by choreographer Anne Anderson, this number keeps the interest throughout.

Meanwhile, Tom Harrison's delightfully evil Jigger has some marvellous scenes and his interactions with Carousel owner Mrs Mullin, played by the wonderful Alison Simpson, are hilariously acerbic.

Another highlight of this bitter sweet story is Sheena Wilson's flawless and inspirational delivery of You'll Never Walk Alone. The footballers' favourite, heard here in its original form, is a tear-jerking showstopper.

The show is by no means full of tears. June is Bustin' out all Over and This Was a Real Nice Clambake are two joyous songs, led off by Sheena Wilson as the redoubtable Nettie Fowler, before being taken up by the company.

Musical director Derek Calder has done a sterling job with the singing in the show and these two numbers are a prime example of this. The superb orchestra, under the expert direction of John Howden, delivers arguably Rodger's best score like a professional outfit.

CHARACTERS Carrie Pipperidge, Nicola Watt; Julie Jordan, Wilma Knox; Mrs. Mullin, Alison Simpson; Billy Bigelow, Robert Wilson; Policeman, Peter Anderson; David Bascombe, Keith Belleville; Nettie Fowler, Sheena Wilson; Enoch Snow, Mark Taylor; Jigger Craigin, Tom Harrison; Captain, Steve Treacy; 1st Heavenly Friend, Leanne Young; 2nd Heavenly Friend, Graeme Ferguson; Starkeeper, John Armstrong Louise, Miriam McGinn; Carnival Boy, Adam Sherwood; Enoch Snow, Jr., Julian Thomson; Principal, John Taylor; Dr. Seldon, John Armstrong

SNOW CHILDREN Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday Matinee Blair Forrester, Gregor Forrester, Joe Giegerich, Rebecca Hindley, Kathryn Lees, Ryan Urquhart, Chloe Woodhouse Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday Evening Rae Anderson, Charlie Bell, Robbie Bell, Rebekah Laidlaw, Sian Morrison, Erin Quinn, Jade Spence.

CARNIVAL CHILDREN/STREET CHILDREN Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday Matinee Amy Barber, Rachel Campbell, Megan Clark, Chloe Downs, Ellie Hope, Hannah McDonald, Holly Simpson, Tyree Stewart, Danielle Tolmie, Ruth Tweedie Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday Evening Shannon Confrey, Rachel Cox, Courteney Dobson, Ashley Ewart, Rosie Graham, Sophie Hilton, Lauren Quinn, Anna Young

TOWNSPEOPLE, AMUSEMENT PAR

K CARNIES & SEAFARING MEN Peter Anderson, John Armstrong, Angela Barber, David Brown, Kate Clay, Rose Dawe, Graeme Ferguson, Kathy Flynn, Pam Fraser, Helen Gault, Nora Gonzalez, Alexina Hamilton, Derek Jupe, Emma Knox, Esther McGinn, Anne McKinnon, Tom Mills, Ella Muir, Anne Peacock, Gillian Rendle, Adam Sherwood, Zoe Spence, John Taylor, Angela Thomson, Steve Treacy, Mark Winstanley, Leanne Young.

Producer: Brian McGlasson; Musical Director: Derek Calder; Choreographer: Anne Anderson; Conductor: John Howden; Stage Manager: Bert Pichlmayer; Make-Up: Adrianne Robb, Aileen Borthwick and Team; Properties: Angela Pichlmayer, Adrianne Robb and Elma Belleville; Wardrobe: Rhona McGlasson and Susan McGinn; Hairdressing: Gillian Rendle; Prompters: Nettie Simm, Evelyn Grahame and Pam Graham; Cast Refreshments: Rita Bean and Dorothy Douglas; Front of House: Margaret Brown, Ross McGinn and team

FINAL CURTAIN FALLS ON “CAROUSEL”
The final curtain fell on Innerleithen & District Amateur Operatic Society’s production of Carousel on Saturday (29 March). The show ran for a week in Innerleithen’s Memorial Hall, playing to excellent houses. At the end of the run long service awards were made to five Society members – with a total of two hundred and thirty-five years of service between them. Receiving awards were: Rose Dawe, Pam Fraser, Alexina Hamilton, Leanne Young (all 10 years), Nicola Watt (15 years), Angela Pichlmayer, Gregor Small and Christopher Wilson (20 years) Aileen Dumper and Robert Wilson (35 years) Rose Young (50 years). Meanwhile, the Society will be looking to the year ahead at the annual general meeting which is set to take place on Wednesday 23 April in the Free Library Hall, Buccleuch Street, Innerleithen at 7.30pm. The election of officials and production team will take place as well as the decision on next year’s Spring production. Anyone interested in the work of the Society should contact Elma Belleville (Secretary) on 01896 830577.