It exceeded our expectations. We went not knowing what to expect, as it was the only show on the evening of my birthday, but we were well entertained by Song, Dance, and Drama.
It told the story of 4 children from one family who go off to sail in a boat, the Swallow, on the lake, and camp on the island, where they met two girls sailing their boat, the Amazon. They make friends, engage in mock battles, and have adventures.
The actors do a great job of playing children; John, twelve years old, in short trousers, captain of the ship, carrying the responsibility; Susan first mate, oldest girl, keeping the family together, and a very expressive dancer; Titty (short for Letitia, I thought it must be Kitty and I was mishearing it) had some great scenes, Ann thought she was the best; and Roger, played by the largest actor, was the youngest. He had some great lines, and made a great eight year old. The two Amazon girls were wonderfully fierce, until they started squabbling with each other.
The props were simple but very effective. Cormorants on long sticks, blue ribbon to represent the water, wood shaped like a boats bow, were all manhandled to give a very vivid impression of the scenes being conjured up. The scene where they were sailing and changing tack was very impressive, as was the night time storm with lightning and wind machine.
The props were maneuvered by other members of the cast, as well as the six children there were seven other actors who, when they were not playing four minor adult characters, would be on stage in gray coats and hats, moving the props, or fulfilling their other function, as musicians. There was a violin, two cellos, a piano, and a variety of other instruments.
My worst fear of musicals, being bored during the musical numbers, proved groundless. Far from interrupting the drama, the music added to it and carried the plot along. It was very engaging.
It got even more engaging towards the end, as we in the stalls (so glad we did not manage to get the seats in the circle) got thrown bean bags to help throw at the villainous pirate, and during the final number a five foot model of each of the boats was passed over the heads of the audience.
There were a fair number of older folk who seemed to be enjoying it, and considerable number of teenagers including one large school group, in the seats near us. We were impressed how they quietened down as soon as the lights darkened. Young and older, we all enjoyed it, and it was a boisterous, excited crowd pouring out into Williamsons Square with the final number ringing in our ears, having enjoyed a wonderful evenings entertainment.
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