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Smike : January 1981

What the Press said...

Review

Right first time as actors go back to school

Director, leading actor, and inspiration to the rest of the cast - this was no mean achievement by one man, and a pleasure to watch. Mark Britton refused to put a foot wrong all night ... It was indeed something special ... At the keyboard, controlling each musical moment, was Sheila Anderson who can feel very proud of herself, her musicians and the chorus from Butlers Court Middle School. The overture was a beautiful piece, excellently played ...

Ian Wallace was a superb Squeers and looked straight out of Dickens' London, and Aviva Wiseman completed the perfect couple, though their teaching methods left (a) little to be desired. The boys of Dotheboys Hall (actually some were girls) were perfect - they looked wretched, acted with cunning and cheek and totally endeared themselves to the audience. Wackford Squeers was played by Ian Wagge who had character written all over his face ... and showed great enthusiasm and energy, especially in the up-tempo rock number - did you know Aviva Wiseman could rock 'n roll ?

Buckinghamshire Advertiser : January 15, 1981

 

Pop musical is popular choice

Well-performed and entertaining ... lacked little in talent, style and continuity and managed to hold the attention of a mixed audience for almost two hours.

... the squalid characters of Mr and Mrs Squeers, played by founder members Ian Wallace and Aviva Wiseman, both of whom slipped hand-in-glove into their taylor-made roles ... Smike, played by Jason Slingsby ... steals many a heart in a song In the Light of a Brand New Day - -- The closing song - The World's a Stage - aptly rounded off a clourful and adventurous production.

The months of preparation in choreography, technical effects and music paid off. The clasasroom scenes and dance routines were fast, moving and imaginative. The members of the cast undoubtedly did justice to the play.

Bucks Free Press : January 16, 1981


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