Uckfield Theatre Guild offers jollity with hint of menace

If you fancy a bit of escapism, foot-tapping jollity and a hint of menace then the place to be in Uckfield tonight or tomorrow is the community technology college where the Uckfield Theatre Guild are putting on Oklahoma.

The cast sang with great gusto in their opening show last night and the audience left at the end wreathed in smiles.

There were wonderful contrasts throughout the evening, twinkly-eyed Curly (Nick Poole) striding on to the stage in the opening scene and the menacing Jud (Pete Ferguson) stamping about later, writes Cathy Watson.

There was colour, light and fun in farm scenes and then a sinister atmosphere in Jud’s Smoke House home.

There was a happy wedding with its shocking interruption ... but of course all ends well with that most rousing and popular song, Oklahoma.

The casting was very good and a particular favourite was Aunt Eller, played by Jill Johnstone. Also memorable was Gertie with her cackling laugh perfected by Hazel Poole.

Other favourites included pedlar Ali Hakim (Ken Newman), flirty Ado Annie (Charlie Christie) and her father Andrew (Reg Coote), mixed up Laurey (Michelle Anderson), and spend-thrift cowboy Will Parker (Harry Newman).

Director and choreographer was Tina Newman, co-director Hazel Poole and musical director Sue Burton. Sue and the band did a great job as did dancers and singers and the back stage crew.

There are still tickets available for tonight at 7.30pm and tomorrow afternoon and evening so do go along and let your hair down.

Read about our Uckfield Town Crier and his different poses.

(Added to site Friday, April 9th, 2010)