The Central Hall Musical Society have taken on the musical Sweet Charity this term. Set in 1960s New York the show follows Charity, played by the amazingly talented Rachel Higgs, through her wayward love life and hopefully into the arms of a man that will finally love her. Charity is a taxi dancer in the Fandango Dance Hall, full of hope that one day she’ll get a better job. Despite having her two friends Nickie and Helene, portrayed by Marff Pothen and Terri Guerrero, on hand to offer sage advice and help her through her troubles, life does not go as planned for Charity, and the audience is invited along her journey of things never quite going right.
Waiting to get into Central Hall, you experience the oncoming energy of the show, with cast members walking around interacting with the audience in character, truly bringing you into 1960’s New York. Once you get into Central Hall, the audience is immediately transported to another time. With the orchestra setting the scene with the famous overture from the musical, it is impossible to not tap your foot along to the fast anticipatory beat. The lighting draws the audience in further, immediately drawing your eyes to Charity on centre stage.
Sweet Charity is known for its technical dance routines, and they proved no challenge for the cast at all. Most technical and amazing to watch is ‘The Rich Man’s Frug’, a new dance craze performed by the entire ensemble. Fast paced and incredibly difficult, the cast pulled off this amazing number. The most famous song from Sweet Charity and the stand out performance of the night was almost definitely ‘Big Spender’. High kicks, sultry sways, and outstanding vocals were led by Pothen and Guerrero. The chorus similarly deserve recognition, bringing depth and more tone to the song.
The first act ends on a cliff hanger, with the stage in total darkness, Leaving the audience to wonder what will happen to the endearing Charity, who, thanks to a wonderful portrayal by Higgs, easily earns the audience’s emotional investment.
The cast appeared to be enjoying every minute of the performance, which encouraged the audience to stay engaged throughout the whole musical. Special notice would have to go to Ross Telfer and his hilarious portrayal of Oscar – the man the audience thinks will finally be right for Charity. Particularly his vivid facial expressions, bumbling words, and pretty accurate interpretation of a claustrophobic man trapped in a lift, create a charming characterisation of a man the audience actively wants to end up with Charity. This only makes the ending of the musical funnier and shocking.
Anthony Rickman, Eddie Kaziro, and Joe Mackenzie as Herman, Daddy Brubeck, and Vittorio Vidal also deserve mentioning. Rickman brings comedy to the stage as the ever present owner of the dance hall Charity works in, always close enough to shout to the girls to get back to work. Eddie Kaziro as Daddy Brubeck brings sensational dancing and vocals to the musical, and Joe Mackenzie as international movie star has a touching scene with Charity as he tells he to not be ashamed of her work.
Despite the slightly delayed start, the show was a delight, with the cast managing to be both funny and heart warming, allowing the audience to laugh and think about our own self dependence and hope. All who contributed to this production should be extremely proud of themselves, particularly the directors Nicki Gaskin and Jessica Douglas and the choreographer Rebecca Adams, who all have truly produced an amazing show.
So if you want to laugh, tap your feet to some amazing songs and have Big Spender stuck in your head for the next week, Sweet Charity will not leave you feeling cheated.
CHMS’ Sweet Charity is showing at Central Hall until February 6. Tickets available yusu.org and on the door.