 THE COUNT OF LUXEMBOURG
Tue 10 to Sat 14
March 2009
Palace Theatre, Redditch
Producer - Steve Skinner
Musical Director - Norma Kift
Choreographer - Richard Warner
Stage Manager - Ian Dixon
Rehearsal Pianist - Carol Griffiths
The Cast
| Angèle Didier (Opera star) |
Eleanor Peberdy |
| Juliette Vermont (Artists model) |
Jo Hargreaves |
| HRH Anastasia Romanov (Russian princess) |
Jill Bray |
| Jo-Jo (Bellhop at the Grand Hotel) |
Harriet Mills |
| Gigi (Bellhop at the Grand Hotel) |
Sophie Hill |
| Coralie (Artists model) |
Carole Corden |
| Sidonie (Artists model) |
Julie Keeley |
| René (The Count of Luxembourg) |
Ian Page |
| HRH Basil Basilovich (Russian noble) |
Michael Hawkins |
| Armand Brissard (Would-be artist) |
Andrew Wilson-Jenner |
| Saville (Would-be painter) |
Tony Vater |
| Marchand (Would-be sculptor) |
Julian Wilson |
| Pavlovitch (Basil's Bodyguard) |
Bob Taylor |
| Mentchikoff (Basil's Bodyguard) |
Stewart Vick |
| Pélégrin (Registrar of Marriages) |
Rex Wheeler |
| Mouchoir (Stage Manager) |
Dave Hill |
| Cazenove (Artist and Dance Partner) |
Ben Hart |
Reviews
Late comer steals the show - almost (3 stars)
"It would have been an injustice to a company that had worked so hard and so effectively for the whole of the evening if Jill Bray had stolen the show with her late entrance as Princess Anastasia to lead the First Love trip - but she comes as near as dammit. This is a dramatic, impressive contribution.
It is a show that is not often seen and it does show its age, despite amusing updates such as the reference to television's Deal or No Deal. But Steve Skinner's beautifully-costumed production makes the most of it, with Andrew Wilson-Jenner (Brissard) leading the laughs - I was expecting someone to point out the label hanging from the back of his collar - and Michael Hawkins (Basilovich) in fine and powerful voice.
In the title role, Ian Page reveals an engaging softness in many of his eight numbers, Jo Hargreaves is an engaging Juliette and Eleanor Peberdy comes splendidly to Angèle.
There are bodyguards in dark glasses who are amusing when they reveal themselves as unsurprising failures in their brief essay into Cossack dancing.
The chorus is in good voice and the orchestra is under the direction of Norma Kift."
John Slim, Birmingham Post and Mail
Operetta was an inspiration
"This little-performed operetta from Franz Lehár represents a delightful evening out, by any standards.
ABOS have continuously moved the bar higher over the last couple of years with productions of Yeoman of the Guard last year, and particularly the brilliant Orpheus in the Underworld back in 2007.
Accompanied by delightful music directed by excellent musical director Norma Kift, the talented cast work their way through what is a delightful (if not typical) story of love that nearly doesn't happen.
Ian Page in the lead of René, The Count of Luxembourg, injects some welcome youth and freshness to the cast, while his confidence in the role is plain to see - a really professional and crisp performance in every sense of the word.
His opposite number in the form of Eleanor Peberdy as opera star Angèle Didier makes a perfect match - casting for the show proved spot-on. Both leads possess lovely singing voices that go together like ham and cheese. And again, the pairing of Jo Hargreaves as artists' model Juliette Vermont and Andrew Wilson-Jenner as would-be artist Armand Brissard was an inspiration as their love-hate relationship developed throughout the show.
And as for Michael Hawkins as the commanding HRH Basil Basilovich - his regal looks (and again loud singing voice) mean he is perfect for the part. Use of microphones was abundant throughout, and paid off as the result was that the audience heard every single word.
A special word of congratulations must, once again, go to show producer Steve Skinner, who pulls yet another superb show out of the hat for ABOS - his talents are a godsend to the society."
Andrew Powell, Redditch Standard
Photographs
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