Oklahoma! Theatre Royal, Bath
However familiar you are with Rodgers & Hammerstein's feel-good musical Oklahoma! you cannot fail to be enthralled by the brilliant touring production that opened this week and is at the Theatre Royal, Bath until Saturday.
This vibrant show, directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, with Drew McOnie's superb choreography and musical direction by Stephen Ridley, is a real spring tonic, with fine performances from a highly accomplished cast and orchestra.
An interesting set, designed by Francis O'Connor, introduces new perspectives into the chronicle of farmers, cowmen and their womenfolk preparing for their territory to become a State within the Union. Lighting design, by Tim Mitchell, conveys the atmosphere perfectly.
There is romance, antagonism, socialising and fundraising for a new schoolhouse. Belinda Lang plays the feisty Aunt Eller, who stands no nonsense and is a match for any situation. Charlotte Wakefield is charming in the role of Laurey, her niece, who finds true love with the handsome Curly (Ashley Day) after an unsettling encounter with the burly, brooding farmhand Jud Fry (Nic Greehshields).
Jud's obsessive interest in Laurey is crystallised in a frightening dream sequence from which she awakes to realise that she has to accompany him to the box social at which supper hampers will be auctioned by Aunt Eller.
Light relief is always at hand with the arrival of the pedlar, Ali Hakim (Gary Wilmot), whose Persian goodbyes are a sight to behold - until compared with the Oklahoma hellos of Will Parker (played on the first night by Simon Anthony). Their questionable rivalry for the affections of Ado Annie Carnes (Lucy May Barker) is tempered by the shotgun of her father (Paul Grunert).
Kara Lane is hilarious as Gertie, the girl with the flirtatious nature and truly irritating laugh to repel any serious suitor.
The show, brimming with wonderful, well-loved numbers, is presented by Music & Lyrics and Royal & Derngate Northampton. It is on tour until August with performances at Truro, Cheltenham, Dartford, Canterbury, Newcastle, Birmingham, Cardiff, Bristol (July 14 -18), Sheffield, Canterbury and High Wycombe.
Catch it if you can!
Stella Taylor
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