Review: Showtimers present Annie Get Your Gun in the Village Hall, South Nutfield

Annie Get Your Gun

Showtimers Amateur Dramatic Society

Village Hall, South Nutfield

Reviewed by Peter Reed

Showtimers' main musical production this year was Irvine Berlin's Wild West romantic comedy Annie Get Your Gun.

An ambitious project for this small village society, the show stretched the limits of ability and male headcount, resulting in the doubling in some roles while other minor roles and men's chorus were filled by women. However, the enthusiastically supportive, and largely local audience, seemed to take this in their stride as they enjoyed a good night out.

Scenes were played on a background of imaginatively painted flats. In general these were adequate for the purpose, especially the dramatic red and black of the ballroom in the Hotel Brevoort, though a little more care in the transformations would have benefited the smooth running of the show. And while it was acceptable for gunshot sounds to be provided by the drummer, perhaps the props budget might have stretched to a more suitable-looking rifle for Frank Butler.

With an interesting array of costumes, the overall picture was colourful. Yet somehow this revised 1999 Broadway version of the show, presented in a music hall style seemed to fit the company far better than would have the 1946 original. That said, this reviewer found himself pining for the original dialogue, musical numbers and arrangements.

But the real focus should always be on the players themselves, and under musical director Emma Denny, who also played the lead role of Annie Oakley, the company produced a fine choral sound throughout. Praise also for the work of pianist Kelly Smith.

In lead roles, Denny and Jonathan Framp as Annie and Frank made much of the humorous dialogue with good timing, while their solos and duets were very pleasing, particularly that old show stopper, Anything You Can Do.

In support Jane Emburey (Dolly Tate) and Colin Denny (Charlie Davenport) were particularly strong, while Marian Dyer showed great promise as Winnie Tate.