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Reviews posted so far

Hello Dolly, Jesus Christ Superstar, Oklahoma

Oklahoma
Hamilton Advertiser
30th November 2006

Stage was set for a stunning show
when Oklahoma rolled into town

If you didn't mosey along to see Hamilton Operatic's show at the Town House last week, you missed a first-class producton of Oklahoma.
From the opening scene, 'a beautiful morning' became a wonderful evening of music, song and dance.
The success of the show was due in no small part to the excellent casting of the principal characters, ably supported by dancers and chorus.

The well-known tale of Oklahoma is set in Indian territory which is moving towards statehood.
Wide open cattle plains are being changed by the introduction of framing.
The consequent rivalry between farmers and cowmen, plus a couple of love affairs, form the basic stotyline.
from the opening scene, Aunt Eller (Margaret Thomson) made her presence felt as the farmer trying to foster good community

relationships. She kept the boys on their toes with a first-class performance throughout.
Roland Russell was in superb voice as Curly the Cowboy, in love with Aunt Eller's niece, Laurey. From his opening number, 'Oh What a Beautiful Mourning' to 'The Surrey With the Fringe On Top', his duet with Laurey, 'People Will Say We're In Love' and the show stopping 'Pore Jud Is Daid' he went from strength to strength. Once again Roland showed what a fine

performer he is.
Julie Gray was a delightful Laurey. Singing and performing well in her duets, she made a fine partner for Curly. Her routine with the girks in 'Many a New Day' was also excellent.
Paul Gilliland starred as will Parker, the cowboy back from Kansas City to wed Ado Annie. singing and dancing were first class in 'Kansas City'' and All Er Nothun' - a great all round performance.
The girl who could not say no - Ado Annie - was given the full

'treatment by Suzanne McMillan. This was a part well suited for Suzanne and she more than gave it justice.
A highlight of the show was the performance of Gordon watson as the brooding farmhand Jud Fry. suitably frightening his scene with Curlyin the smokehouse was outstanding. His fight scenes with Curly were realistic and his singing superb. A first class performance.
Another outstanding performance came from Stuart dick as Ali

Hakim, the Persian pedlar who loved all the women until it came to marriage. Stuart got lots of laughs for his amusing portrayal. Excellent principal support came from Laura Bordon (Gertie Cummings), Peter McMillan (Andrew Carnes)

Strathaven Echo

Godspell
May 2006

GODSPELL review to follow

Hello Dolly
November 2005
Airdrie & Coatbridge News

WELL HELLO, DOLLY

HELLO DOLLY... Hamilton Operatic and Dramatic Club held a highly successful show - Hello Dolly - in the recently refurbished £10million Hamilton Town House and Airdrie people landed		some of the pricipal roles in this production. Following in the footsteps of Barbara Striesland and Michael Crawford are two Airdrie people. Anne Morrison had the lead role of Dolly and Gordon		Watson played Cornelius Hackl. A further part went to Airdrie lass, Margaret Thomson who played the role of Ernestina. The show played to sold-out audiences and was voted a resounding success.

Anything Goes
May 2005

ANYTHING GOES review to follow

Curtain Up
November 2004

CURTAIN UP review to follow

42nd Street
May 2005

42ND STREET review to follow

Let's celebrate
November 2004

LET'S CELEBRATE review to follow

Jesus Christ Superstar
May 2004
Hamilton Advertiser


IN FINE VOICE...Rolland Russell took the difficult vocal demands of the part of Jesus in his stride, a talent that was most evident in thepowerful and emotional song, Gethsemane.	GANG OF 12...the dozen men who played the Apostles in Hamilton Operatic and Dramatic Club's production of Jesus Christ superstar last week at Motherwell Civic Concert Hall.

Super show from
opera superstars

The stars were shining brightly on stage at Motherwell Concert Hall last week when Hamilton Operatic and Dramatic Club gave a first class presentation of Jesus Christ Superstar, on this their centenary year Jesus Christ Superstar has only been performed once before in Scotland and presented a real challenge to production and cast alike. How well they rose to the occasion was shown by the appreciation of the enthusiastic full-house audiences throughout the week. It tells the story of the last seven days of the life of Jesus of Nazareth, as seen through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. Judas sees Jesus as a saviour not as a warrior and fighter who would set the people free from roman oppression. Disenchanted and disillusioned by Jesus’ actions and the reaction of the people, Judas is persuaded by the High Priests to betray Jesus. Realising that in fact he is destined

to have Jesus killed, a tormented Judas hangs himself. A sterling set of principal players, headed by a singing and dancing cast of the highest order. The part of Jesus of Nazareth demands a singing voice of the highest quality. Who better to meet that demand than Roland Russell? His portrayal of a Jesus trying to make the people understand what real power is and where it comes from, was first rate. Vocal demands were taken in their stride, culminating in the powerful ‘Gethsemane’ where he wondered if he might die in vain. As the story is told as seen through the eyes of Judas, the main character role was played by Gordon Watson. What a performance! His acting and singing superbly portrayed all the confusion, frustration and torment suffered by Judas. It did indeed make one take a fresh look at his role and destiny. The woman who loved and consoled Jesus was

Mary Magdelene. Here, in the person of Julie Heggie, we had another outstanding performance. Her singing and acting were beautifully done, particularly in the big number ‘I Don’t Know How To Love Him’. The man who washed his hands of Jesus, Pontius Pilate was played by Peter McMillan. Peter gave a convincing performance as the man caught between the different factions, particularly in the flogging scene. Ian Gray (Caiphas) and Frank Bent (Annas) gave fine singing and acting performances as the scheming High Priests out to get Jesus. Another fine performance came from David Brown as the enthusiastic protector of Jesus, Simon Zealotes. He sang and acted very well. David Black was an enthusiastic Peter, singing and acting with his usual enthusiasm. John Carr had a lovely cameo role as King Herod, dressed up to the nines, singing and dancing with

polish and style. High Priests, guards, the Apostles and dancers all contributed along with the chorus to a first class show – a wonderful evening’s entertainment. Musically and production-wise, this presented a big challenge to Irene, Betty and Christine – a challenge that they met head on and came out with flying colours. A great start to the centenary year and we look forward to the revue in November.

ULTIMATE VILLIAN...
Gordon Watson played the biggest baddie of them all, the man who betrayed the Son of God; Judas Iscariot

MEN IN BLACK...
the dark and sinister high priests, who schemed and plotted to destroy Jesus, including persuading Judas to play his tragic part in the Messiah's capture and arrest

MARY MAGDELENE...
the woman who loved and consoled Jesus in his hour of torment, played by Julie Heggie

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Super show from opera superstars

Super show from
opera superstars