Mary Magdalene
Park Productions
Date:
28th March 2015
Venue:
Burn Park Church Sunderland
Type of Production:
Musical/Play
Director:
Nick Thompson
Chorographer
Katrina Wake
Musical Director:
Suzy Wake
Review
Author: Peter Oliver
This was a great show for Park Productions. Not only was it perfectly timed for Easter, but the production was perfectly staged in Burn Park Church, giving it a real emotional atmosphere. Mary Magdalene takes a modern look at the world’s greatest story of faith and love through a powerful and passionate score, and Nick Thompson, in his first Director’s role, certainly gave the audience something to smile about. Well done, Nick, you should be really proud of yourself. This was a truly inspirational production; I loved the setting and felt that the chorus worked well together, capturing the beautiful lyrics and music by Roger Jones. Well done also to Suzy Wake for her inspiration, commitment and hard work as Musical Director, and Brian Carter as conductor. Musically this production sounded great, and the acoustics of the church made each number sound beautiful, especially with some of the four-part harmonies which are seldom heard in today’s productions.
The production started with the chorus singing the powerful number, “Caught in the Act of Adultery”, which was very moving, and set the stage for what became a very interesting and powerful production. Mary Magdalene was played by Katrina Wake who delivered a powerful portrayal of one of the most important women in history. Her acting was excellent and she had good stage presence. She delivered her musical numbers with passion, and I particularly liked “But When He Spoke”. Suzy Wake played the part of Mary, mother of Jesus. Suzy has beautifully strong vocals, acts well and portrayed the character well. There was some nice chemistry between Mary Magdalene, Jesus, and Suzy as Jesus’ mother. The disciple Peter was played by Jim Kirkland, again with strong acting skills and a beautiful tenor voice. I loved the musical number, “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”. An excellent portrayal was given by Nick Thompson as Jesus. He had a good singing voice, stage presence, and a good feeling for timing, never losing his character at all. I enjoyed his performance very much, especially in the crucifixion scene which I thought was very moving, and I particularly liked his musical number “Let Me See Your Face”. Good acting skills were shown by Steve White, as Simon, the Pharisee, and in the smaller cameo roles, June Whitfield played the guest at Simon’s party, and Natalie Bowmaker, as Anna, Alwyn Coates, as Salome, and Steve White and Rob Whitfield, as the Roman Guards all added to the overall impression of the production. Well done also to Katrina Wake for her choreography, especially with the Angels and Demons played by Natalie Bowmaker, Millie Brown, Alwyn Coates and John Casson, who stepped in literally at the last minute. Special mention must go to the soloists Margaret Metcalfe, Mollie Miller and Tom Hutchinson, whose beautiful singing and some very moving lyrics and harmonies impressed, and also to Joyce Howe and Kathleen Carter as the Voices. This production was supported very much by the choir, and it was nice to see some new members. Congratulations to Liz Bone, Elsie Davison, Brian Gibb, John Hardy, Joyce Howe, Norman Kilner, Noreen Reay, and Joan Stoddart. The set in this production was very simple, but fitted the production beautifully, as did the costumes.
Praise must also go to the production team with Ken Thain as stage Manager, and John Hamblett as back stage support, Philip Wake on lightning and sound and Susan Casson as chaperone. Special mention must go to the front of house team for their kindness and hospitality shown, which was much appreciated. This production certainly gave the audience something to remember, delivering some fantastic individual and chorus performances. Well done to all those involved, and congratulation to everyone at Park Productions. I look forward to seeing you all in October at your next production.
Park Productions
Date:
28th March 2015
Venue:
Burn Park Church Sunderland
Type of Production:
Musical/Play
Director:
Nick Thompson
Chorographer
Katrina Wake
Musical Director:
Suzy Wake
Review
Author: Peter Oliver
This was a great show for Park Productions. Not only was it perfectly timed for Easter, but the production was perfectly staged in Burn Park Church, giving it a real emotional atmosphere. Mary Magdalene takes a modern look at the world’s greatest story of faith and love through a powerful and passionate score, and Nick Thompson, in his first Director’s role, certainly gave the audience something to smile about. Well done, Nick, you should be really proud of yourself. This was a truly inspirational production; I loved the setting and felt that the chorus worked well together, capturing the beautiful lyrics and music by Roger Jones. Well done also to Suzy Wake for her inspiration, commitment and hard work as Musical Director, and Brian Carter as conductor. Musically this production sounded great, and the acoustics of the church made each number sound beautiful, especially with some of the four-part harmonies which are seldom heard in today’s productions.
The production started with the chorus singing the powerful number, “Caught in the Act of Adultery”, which was very moving, and set the stage for what became a very interesting and powerful production. Mary Magdalene was played by Katrina Wake who delivered a powerful portrayal of one of the most important women in history. Her acting was excellent and she had good stage presence. She delivered her musical numbers with passion, and I particularly liked “But When He Spoke”. Suzy Wake played the part of Mary, mother of Jesus. Suzy has beautifully strong vocals, acts well and portrayed the character well. There was some nice chemistry between Mary Magdalene, Jesus, and Suzy as Jesus’ mother. The disciple Peter was played by Jim Kirkland, again with strong acting skills and a beautiful tenor voice. I loved the musical number, “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”. An excellent portrayal was given by Nick Thompson as Jesus. He had a good singing voice, stage presence, and a good feeling for timing, never losing his character at all. I enjoyed his performance very much, especially in the crucifixion scene which I thought was very moving, and I particularly liked his musical number “Let Me See Your Face”. Good acting skills were shown by Steve White, as Simon, the Pharisee, and in the smaller cameo roles, June Whitfield played the guest at Simon’s party, and Natalie Bowmaker, as Anna, Alwyn Coates, as Salome, and Steve White and Rob Whitfield, as the Roman Guards all added to the overall impression of the production. Well done also to Katrina Wake for her choreography, especially with the Angels and Demons played by Natalie Bowmaker, Millie Brown, Alwyn Coates and John Casson, who stepped in literally at the last minute. Special mention must go to the soloists Margaret Metcalfe, Mollie Miller and Tom Hutchinson, whose beautiful singing and some very moving lyrics and harmonies impressed, and also to Joyce Howe and Kathleen Carter as the Voices. This production was supported very much by the choir, and it was nice to see some new members. Congratulations to Liz Bone, Elsie Davison, Brian Gibb, John Hardy, Joyce Howe, Norman Kilner, Noreen Reay, and Joan Stoddart. The set in this production was very simple, but fitted the production beautifully, as did the costumes.
Praise must also go to the production team with Ken Thain as stage Manager, and John Hamblett as back stage support, Philip Wake on lightning and sound and Susan Casson as chaperone. Special mention must go to the front of house team for their kindness and hospitality shown, which was much appreciated. This production certainly gave the audience something to remember, delivering some fantastic individual and chorus performances. Well done to all those involved, and congratulation to everyone at Park Productions. I look forward to seeing you all in October at your next production.