The following is the public section of the show critique for ourproduction of Sugar, by AIMS Adjudicator, Eleanor McCann-Gilsenan:
I just adore "Some Like It Hot" and enjoy the show "Sugar / Some like it hot". It was the choice of Castlerea Musical Society and they performed it in River Island Castlerea. The amount of work done to create a performance space and an auditorium for the audience was astounding. Much credit was due to the committee and production team.
An experienced team was assembled, Director Michael Coen, Musical Director/Conductor Joe Ryan, Chorus Mistress Heather Shine, and Choreographer Patricia McDermott. This is not a show for the fainthearted!
In the title role of Sugar was Julie Connolly. There was much to admire in her performance. She sang very well and made the role her own. It would have been very easy to have been a Marilyn Monroe tribute artist but she wasn't. I liked her scenes on the yacht she took the lead here and carried them well.
Our hapless duo of Gerry/Joe/Daphne/Josephine were performed by Danny Doherty and Kevin Heaney. I felt Mr Doherty gave an outstanding performance. He just carried every scene he was in without running away with things. It took his performance to really make things work.
I felt Mr Heaney gave a somewhat uneven performance. He sang well but he didn't come across relaxed as Josephine and it didn't work. As Joe he gave a more confident performance. As Sir Osgood, Mr Cooke was somewhat OTT but this role can handle it. It was a consistent performance and his delivery of the last line in the show was perfect.
I liked Caroline Madigan as Sweet Sue. She created a good strong character and I felt her energy on stage gave energy to other performers. Her singing was secure and in keeping with the role. She was a great contrast to Christy Glynn's performance as the fussy Beinstock. I liked his performance but felt his accent was slightly uneven which was disappointing.
As Spatz I felt Joey O Flanagan lacked conviction. There was hesitancy when singing. His voice was fine there was no need to be insecure.
John Flanagan performed the role of Knuckles Norton. I felt he worked hard but his cue bite was a bit slow.
The costumes were lovely in this show. I loved seeing them on hangers backstage and marvelling at how the stage lights completely transformed them.
From where I was sitting I felt the lighting did not enhance the show - a combination of performers not being in their light, and the design. The set was well thought out and I felt it tried to bring the drama to the audience as best it could. Props were uneven and a bit more attention to detail would have transformed a scene.
Musically the show was uneven. The chorus didn't work and weren't helped by some odd amplification. I felt the band needed a lighter more sparkley sound. It was rather heavy.
Movement wise there were a few nice routines but I felt the company needed more drilling. They just weren't sharp enough. The dance between Osgood and Daphne was the highlight of the show. It showed the performers at their best and the choreographer at her best.
Overall I enjoyed myself but felt the show wasn't at its best the evening I attended. It was slow at times very slow. The scene in the train did not work at all.
I wish I had seen it on a stronger night because I felt the director had done a marvellous job and given a number of nice touches to the show but on the evening I was there it just didn't gel.
Eleanor McCann-Gilsenan
January 2010