Bitter Sweet

20th - 24th April 2010, Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds

Director: Brian Robinson
Musical Director: Gill Garside
Choreographer: Judith Thomas

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Lady Shayne confronts Vincent and Dolly over their love for each other    Sarah's not at all convinced about marrying Hugh ...    Sarah parties with her bridesmaids on the eve of her wedding    "The Ladies of the Town" entertain in their unique way

Manon and Carl discuss the tempo of a song ... and matters of the heart    Captain Lutte fights with Carl while Sarah and Manon look on    "The Green Carnations"    The company

Lady ShayneJoyce Amtower
Sarah MillickPolly Carnegie
Carl LindenIan Robertson
ManonDiane Elvin
Dolly ChamberlainCath Harvey
The Hon. Hugh DevonGreg Elvin
Mrs MillickJane Rutherford
Sir Arthur Fenchurch / Vernon CraftMel Barnes
Herr Schlick / Lord Henry Jade / Mr ValeLeslie Dumbell
Lady DevonKay Scanlon
Lord Henry Jekyll / The Marquis of Steere / FritzCary Palmer
Lord Edgar JamesPhillip Amtower
Vincent / Lord SorrelJames Bickers
Mr Bethel / Captain August LutteNick Gane
Mr Proutie / Lieutenant TranischTom Anderson
HarrietSasha Dabbs
GloriaRachel Dawson
VictoriaImogen Winton
HonorRebecca Littlechild
JaneOlivia Winton
EffieDebbie Croll
GussiFiona Barker
LotteLesley Craig
FredaLesley-Anne Ford
Hansi / JackieTrish Barnard
Marquis of ShayneColin Baker
NitaAlison Dumbell
HelenSarah Read
Mrs DevonAnna Winton Mills
Cedric BallentyneGraham Corderoy
Bertram SellickKen Sawyer
Butler (Acts 2 & 3)Stan Chamberlain
Singer (Act 1)Bob Moulding
 
ChorusAndrew Collett, Margaret Ferguson, Beryl Hughes, Gordon Hughes
 
On-stage bandElena Lyutserina (violin), Tessa Shepherd (sax), Graham Holmes (piano)

A tale of love and loss across the ages staged with style enthralled an opening night audience. Noël Coward's operetta Bitter Sweet has a tale that will charm and move audiences and its songs are captivating, but the thoughtful performances were the winner of this production.

Central to the plot were bride-to-be Sarah Millick (Polly Carnegie) and musician Carl Linden (Ian Robertson), whose relationship blossoms on the eve of Sarah's wedding. So sincere were their performances (and tuneful their singing) that by the time they shared their first kiss, I was totally swept up in the romance and my cold heart was actually touched.

Other notable appearances came from the innocent but ever-so-slightly sassy six bridesmaids, the sinister and lecherous Captain Lutte (Nick Gane) and comic relief from the saucy ladies of the town and 'pretty boy' Green Carnations.

Mention must also be made of the sumptuous costumes and lavish sets, which enriched this professional and thoroughly enjoyable production from one of Bury's local companies.

— Camille Berriman, Bury Free Press