HMTC delivers a fabulous feel good show with Me and My Girl (From Hereford Times)

HMTC delivers a fabulous feel good show with Me and My Girl

3:35pm Wednesday 2nd November 2011 in Reviews

THE audience response at the end of Hereford Musical Theatre Company’s current production, Me and My Girl, said it all. Whoops and whistles of appreciation filled the auditorium, every one of them thoroughly deserved.

This is a production that wouldn’t look out of place on a professional stage - two phenomenal performances from Shay Morris and Samantha Stokes as Bill Stibson and his girl Sally Smith. Shay effortlessly played the part to the hilt with impeccable comic timing - a two-hander with a tiger skin rug and an expertly executed forward roll into his hat were especially memorable - not to mention a great voice, some very twinkly tap dancing and total conviction. And Sam proved the perfect Sally - especially moving when she sang Once You Lose Your Heart - in a masterstroke of casting that created a truly credible couple.

The two central performances were more than matched by the rest of an impressive cast - new HMTC member Steven Allan impressed as Gerald, a nicely observed chinless wonder, and Adele Alexander brought a well-judged haughty but human dimension to Duchess Dean. This is a show in which every part was a perfect fit - Paul Morris and Katie Davis as Sir John and Jaquie also particularly memorable, with Katie vamping it up with obvious glee.

Once again, as we’ve come to expect, Vicki Beddoes’ choreography was wonderful with the Lambeth Walk, complete with some stunning spoon playing, The Sun Has Got his Hat On and Bill and Sally’s duet, Me and My Girl, with its terrific tap section, stand-out set pieces in a show, directed expertly by Alistair Donkin, that worked on every level.

A complex set did lead to the odd longeur between changes, but that was easy to overlook and simply whetted the appetite for what was to come.

Four and a half stars - the only problem for HMTC is how on earth they’ll top a show that delivered so comprehensively.

Me and My Girl is at The Courtyard until Saturday, November 5 at 7.30pm, with a matinee on Saturday. To book, call the box office on 01432 340555

Click to go to The Courtyard