ANNIE GET YOUR GUN

Milton Musical Society

Regent Centre

Christchurch

March 2003

 

 

WHEN champion marksman Frank Butler is pitted against the sharp shooting skills of Annie Oakley he certainly meets his match, and in this production life almost imitates art in the outstanding playing of the two leading roles.

It’s a partnership made in heaven. Philip Redgrave (Frank) is unquestionably one of the local musical scene’s finest performers, and playing opposite him as Annie is 18 year old Elizabeth Feltham, a newcomer to the scene yet already a superb character actress whose sparky, vivacious portrayal is so real that it almost hurts. Without doubt they bring out the best in each other so let’s hope those stars have already been hung on their dressing rooms.

 

Marie Coltman makes a strong impression too as a particularly feisty Dolly Tate, and there are also notable characterisations from Max White (Buffalo Bill) and Peter Kent (Chief Sitting Bull).

 

In places the show creaks a little – perhaps inevitable at over half a century old – and chorus movement and dancing are sometimes less than innovative, but it is no turkey, and with a score in which every number is a winner, how could the cast fail to steal that extra bow?

 

Linda Kirkman

 

Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo.