Blackpool and Fylde Light Opera Company are well renowned for producing quality shows with professional performances, so it should come as no shock that this year’s offering, Me and My Girl was a treat for the audience from start to finish.
First performed in London in 1937 and featuring a score by Noel Gay, the show has been given many revivals, but I doubt if many could have surpassed tonight’s performance at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre. From start to finish the performers provided the audience with quality, high energy song, dance, comedy and tinges of sadness.
The plot revolves around ‘common’ Lambeth cockney Bill Snibson (Jack Evans) discovered, much to the dismay of the aristocratic family, to be the heir to the Earl of Hareford. Bill is summoned to take his place as the earl and the aristocrats commence their plans to change and mould him into what they consider to be fitting to his newly elevated position. However, there is conflict between Bill and family members, particularly as he is determined to defy them when it comes to ditching his equally ‘common’ girlfriend Sally (Jenny Daniels).
Needless to say there are a lot of laughs along the way, with a particularly memorable scene in the library when Sally, reaches the decision that she must end their relationship in order allow Bill to fit into his new life. I won’t give any secrets away, except to say that Sally’s memory of historical events from 1066 onwards, in fact from the beginning of time onwards, would not give her a role as a history teacher.
Of course eventually Sally does leave, only to be persued by Bill, which leads to his rendition of a very tuneful ‘Leaning on a Lampost’, just one of many songs from this fun family musical. But the song that is going to be with me for weeks is the lively and memorable ‘Lambeth Walk’ (Oi!)
Me and My Girl is at the Grand Theatre Blackpool until Saturday 2 June 2018. For more information or to book tickets visit blackpoolgrand.co.uk
Show Comments (1)
G Molyneux
So well written – really captures the flavour of the performance, and of the times
Now I can’t find get The Lambeth Walk off my mind – such a great tune! Oi!