Far be it from me to go overboard with praise, but Oxfordshire Youth Music Theatre’s latest production can only be described as a first-class affair.
Putting on the glitz for Anything Goes, a madcap adventure aboard an ocean liner, this talented crew went full steam ahead at Abingdon’s Amey Theatre to produce a slick, professional production that was a delight to behold.
Steered to success by directors Debbie Rose, Joanne Cook, Sam Foster and Andy Bettle, the cast poured their heart and soul into spectacular and tightly choreographed song and dance routines, ably accompanied below decks by a young band drawn from Oxfordshire County Music Service.
Bringing this tale of romance and excitement aboard the SS America to life, the young company perfected an amazing array of dance styles to make the most of Cole Porter’s iconic music while the fabulous principal artists blew us away with superb solos and impeccable comic timing, skilfully navigating P.G. Wodehouse’s witty dialogue.
Sixteen-year-old Hannah Raby as Reno had the audience hook, line and sinker from the very first note of I Get a Kick Out of You, with a voice that could easily command a West End stage.
Indeed, the talent on show was astonishing, from Neil McCarthy’s lovelorn Billy Crocker, Emma Green as wilting American debutante Hope Harcourt and Reuben Hinks’ shortsighted Wall Street banker, to the marvellously comical Tomos Hawkins as gangster Moonface Martin and Amy Anderson as his accomplice Erma.
Their patent enjoyment of their roles was infectious, while the chorus excelled with delicious harmonies and scrupulously synchronized footwork.
The skill on-stage was matched behind the scenes with a marvellously inventive and professional-looking set, a dazzling wardrobe of costumes with a raft of quick changes that must have had the backstage crew in a sweat and glamourous make-up evoking the era of excess.
I was certainly glad I jumped aboard for OYMT’s latest musical voyage and look forward to many more.
Angela Swann
