Valley Artists

Date: 01-Dec-09
Author: Valley Artists

Review of Ugly Duckling

W.C. Fields said "never work with children or animals" Another of his personally attributed quotes about children was that that they should neither be seen nor heard from...ever again. I'm so glad that director Cordelia Howell ignored his churlish advice. I believe that children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. And what a future these children have! It may not have been a picnic by any means, directing 12 children in Valley Artists' latest production, but perhaps Cordelia had an enjoyable time of it because children are still readily in contact with their imaginations. That and having a wonderful backstage crew!

I had the advantage of seeing The Ugly Duckling in the company of small children. My "advantage", may have been interpreted by other audience participants as a "disadvantage": "Where are the ducks?" one accompanying three year old whined. However, this Ugly Duckling, a comedy by A. A. Milne, had nothing to do with the Hans Christian Andersen story. "When are they getting married? I want to see the wedding." one of the four year olds bleated when the lights came up on the fait accompli. "Can I go home now?" another mercifully young child cried out. Ahem.

Together, we were charmed by the performances of Hannah Udodzik, Lauren Boxall, Harmony Forest, Ziggy Russ Hartland and Reanna Ede in A.A.Milne's verse-fable King Hilary and the Beggarman. These budding actors - bursting with enthusiasm, enjoying them selves immensely and providing Valley Artists with a bright future - comprised a combination of new-comers to the stage and those returning to the stage for the first time since Valley Artists' Wind In The Willows. As the last line of the poem said, "Whatever fortune brings, don't be afraid of doing things." Well done girls.

Proving that Valley Artists provides a creative outlet for performers at all levels, we were crooned to by the enormously entertaining Barbershop Boys: Tony Palfreeman; Peter McCloy; Graham Jackson and Ray Smith. While not quite the usual 4 part harmony expected with quartets of that nature, they were not exactly singing in unison either. Oh, come on boys, you can take it! I loved it.

After intermission, we were treated to an enjoyable performance of The Ugly Duckling. I was delighted by the story every bit as much as I was by the performers. The King (Adi Ringma, with his wonderful comic timing and somewhat mesmerizing grace) and the Queen (Sally Jackson, a fitting ruler of the stage) had a hard time trying to marry off their "ugly" daughter, Princess Camilla (not at all ugly and utterly enchanting Rene Butterworth). Her beauty eluded all, including the ever tactful Chancellor (delightful Alysha Noon). To meet the next suitor, the Princess Camilla disguised herself as her maid Dulcibella (an ideal Edna Panarotto), while Dulcibella pretended to be Princess Camilla. Meanwhile, Prince Simon (Sam Williams, with beguiling charisma) masqueraded himself as his servant Carlo, and dressed Carlo (regal and charming Max Kamatsos) as the prince. Fun ensued.

Combined with Giles tester's creative set design and construction, Neville Newman's illuminating technical design and installation, Linda Marsh's top drawer Wardrobe design, and countless hours put in by other backstage crew, Cordelia, producer Jordis Pointu and Stage Manager Karen Butler Hues brought us a very compelling production. Well done Cordelia, well done children, well done barbershop boys. Well done Valley Artists.

Fiona Burless

What's next for Valley Artists

Valley Artists has commissioned Mad Cow's production of ‘Romeo & Juliet' to be performed in Laguna Hall for four performances only on 22nd, 23rd, 24th & 25th January, 2010. A young cast, a contemporary production - those who have seen it rave! More information next OON, but note it in your diaries now.

Peter McCloy