Music & Lyrics By Stephen Sondheim
Book by Burt Shevelove & Larry Gelbart
Originally Produced on Broadway by Harold Prince
 Such a good show that we have done it twice! |
This was our first venture in to the challenging world of musical theatre that is Stephen Sondheim. This was Stephen Sondheim's first show where he had written the lyrics and the music having had previous artistic success with West Side Story and Gypsy. The first run we did of this was staged in the Congress Theatre in Cwmbran and was produced in just over a month. At this same time we received our Lottery money which has enabled us to put on shows every year since by giving us the means to have our own equipment and our precious van. We often point out that we don't have elaborate sets primarily because we don't think they are necessary if you have this much talent on stage and also because it has to all fit on our van! Touring productions is in our constitution and something we are very proud of. |
| Forum saw a number of very funny characterisations. Led by the resourceful and definitive Pseudolus, Nigel Holloway, in both productions. Pseudolus must be one of the most demanding roles in musical theatre; it needs breakneck pace and fantastic comic timing. Thankfully both are second nature to our Nigel who in both productions stole the show. Only two other roles were played the same in both productions: Domina was played with battle-axe charm by Janet Holloway and the somewhat senile but oversexed Senex by Mike Gaccon. Some moved from one role to another between the years. John Tomala, once Hero in 1995 replaced the irreplaceable Bernard Gardner in 2000 as Marcus Lycus and Neil Davies, once the dottery Erroneous, became the masterful Miles Gloriousus in our second outing. Both Lizzie Jardine and Emma-Jane Goodwin brought a fantastic innocence and wide eyed naiveté which was perfect for the part of Philia, the rather dim but beautiful courtesan around whom the whole face revolves. |
Cast 2000 |
 Pseudolus & Domina |
This show is so much fun to do. It is a veritable
riot on stage. The music is fantastic, not only the instantly
recognisable Comedy Tonight which sets the tone from the very
beginning but also Pretty Little Picture which is a virtuoso
performance from Pseudolus, Hero and Philia, the hilarious duo between
Senex and Hero as father and son in their verbal duel for the attentions
of Philia in Impossible and the wonderful vaudeville of
Everybody Ought To Have A Maid.
Abergavenny in 2000 was just as welcoming as Cwmbran in 1995. In both productions the show was enlivened by scantily clad courtesans and rather bizarre eunuchs and soldiers. Add into this a rather excitable Hysterium, and you get a epitome of hectic farce. All-in-all a show which is as much fun to do as to watch and who knows, one which we may return to again... |
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