Northern Lights Up

"Northern Shines in Review"
Messenger review
Nick CARROLL

IF Northern Light Theatre Company ever got the chop; it would not be for lack of talent.

The company, which this year almost went to the wall after two productions were cancelled, has marshalled a sparkling, energetic cast for the rescue effort, a memorable musical revue called Northern Lights Up!

Director Fran Edwards, musical director Steve Vallen and choreographer Sue Pole have worked a miracle in just eight weeks since casting difficulties put a planned production of West Side Story out of reach.

Northern Lights Up! is true to its name as an on-stage team of 28 twinkles and shines through an entertaining pot-pourri of singing, dancing and comedy.

The easy way out was to follow the pattern set by Northern Light's most recent show, Matt Byrne's excellent 1990 revue, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Shedley.

But this one is all new- a fresh mix of old and new songs and skits, breathtaking dance routines and composer and theme medleys worked into big-production numbers.

The theme numbers - with such titles as Moving Pictures, Western and Flower Power -leave everyone on a high.

Matt Byrne is screamfully funny as the American kid singing the old ditty Hello Mudda, Hello Fadda and his serious singing ain't bad either.

And on the dancing scene, you couldn't beat Sue Pole, Mark Gulliford and Rose Slann who do everything from ballroom to tap. A taut, disciplined band is held in check by Steve Vallen who needs only to bring the volume down for the un-miked numbers in which the best of singers often are drowned out.

Northern Lights Up! continues on Fridays and Saturdays until Saturday, July 20. Bookings are through Bass or the Shedley Theatre on 287 1025.

The hippies

Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah
(Matt Byrne)

Mark Gulliford hams it up with John Howson

All you need is love...

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to The Forum

"Plays hit with both barrels"
The Advertiser Newspaper 29 October 1991
Peter GOERS

(first column was a review for Mayfair's Annie Get Your Gun)

The troubled Northern Light Theatre Company has staged a terrific comeback with some Roman in the gloamin'.

Glenn Vallen's winning production of Stephen Sondheim's first musical as composer and lyricist. 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' is undoubtedly Northern Light's best show to date and a brave new standard to be met.

Loosely based on the very loose Roman comedies of Plautus and using three broads and a passion forum, it is a tuneful gag-fest full of boundless humour that is lower than a snake's belly.

Vallen's fast funny and brilliant show sublimely choreographed by Rose Slann, is chockers with old and new faces.

Hosanna in the highest Matthew Byrne is actually funny as the shyster slave Pseudolus. Byrne camps it up, never misses a gag and his energy never flags. He is an overnight success.

In powder blue and silver, Rodney Hutton is an ideal juvenile lead - Hero and Mike Pole might be odd casting as Miles Gloriosus - the Sylvester Stallone of Rome - but he's oddly fantastic.

There is nary a weak link in this marvellous show, with Brian Godfrey as a truly hysterical Hysterium and David Winston and Len Ashby as the doddery old fools.

Rush the Shedley at Elizabeth for a very funny thing.

Matthew Byrne as Pseudolus

Diminutive Mike Pole made the most of his lofty role Captain Miles Gloriosus.

Rodney Huttons "Hero" being harrassed by the courtesans

"Never funnier than in 'Forum'"
Messenger Press 30 October 1991
Nick CARROLL

Set your mind on seeing a knockout musical comedy and head to the Shedley Theatre.

Northern Light theatre Company is presenting its funniest, most energetic show in years with A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

I've not clapped with such enthusiasm since Northern's Little Shop of Horrors or laughed so hard since I can't remember.

The lively show bristles with witty dialogue, snappy choreography and visual jokes all the way.

Stephen Sondheim's long running Broadway musical cast Matt Byrne as Pseudolous, the conniving Roman slave who wants his freedom and will go any lengths to get it.

Bryne, a natural comic, makes like a court jester, wicked and irreverent yet likeable. He is great in the part.

He is surrounded by the most talented comedy amateurs ever to tread the Shedley Theatre boards.

The boyish Rodney Hutton has good stage presence and a great voice as the love hungry Hero, son of Senex, who sets his heart on the beautiful courtesan Philia (played by sister Ceri Hutton).

Rodney and Ceri work well together, not even flinching when they kiss.

The reliable David Winston is excellent, as usual, as Senex father of Hero. His off stage singing in the bath is enough to set the audience laughing.

The clownish Brian Godfrey shrieks with hysterics as the lead slave Hysterium and Vaughan Harmer is at home as the ineffectual harem owner Lycus.

The diminutive Mike Pole is superbly funny as Miles Gloriosus - the egotistical Roman army captain to whom Philia is promised - especially when standing beside his lofty soldiers.

And Len Ashby makes a lovely cameo as gullible old Erronius, making seven circuits of Rome.

Fran Edwards is less successful in the stern role of the woman who must be obeyed, Senex's wife Domina. She does nothing with the character and her white face-paint looks dreadful.

The small parts area treat.

The tumbling proteans - Matthew Falland, Darren Slann and John Howson - are bright and full of surprises.

And the stunningly dressed courtesans - Jenny Wyatt-Smith, Catherine Stephens, Rose Slann, Raechel Carroll, Moira Heath and Amanda Hassett - are captivating.

Director Glenn Vallen may have bitten off a little more than he could chew by doubling as MD.

Whereas the show's visual humour is tops, more could be done to milk the lines for comedy.

And the orchestra on opening night was often out of tune and discordant. The trumpets in particular, deserve stern words.

The Forum cast on stage