New Theatre, Cardiff
THE sun didn't put his hat on until the second half in Orbit’s production of the vintage musical where a Cockney lad from Lambeth turns out to be the last remaining heir of the Hareford line.
Cheeky chappie Bill Snibson, enthusiastically played by Stephen Reynolds, discovers he is the new Earl of Hareford but before he can inherit the title – not to mention the millions – he must first impress his high society family by becoming an English gentleman. But to do that he has to give up his girl, Sally.
Despite gold digger Jaqueline (Nia Colier) using all her feminine wiles to temp Bill in a racy scene which raised more than a chuckle, there's only one girl for him and he sets out to find her after the Duchess tells her to go.
The first half was quite slow and the Orbit players portrayed the stiff upper class society so well I nearly fell asleep – there was too much talking and not enough singing for me. But after the interval, when the Pearly King and Queen arrived at Hareford Hall and the whole cast did the Lambeth Walk, I woke up as the fun kicked in.
Annie Sheen as Sally had the sweetest voice and held the audience in the palm of her hand, and I especially liked the foppish Gerald, played by Dan Collier-Roberts.
There were also good performances by Anne Mason (the Duchess) and Howard Turnbull (Sir John).
It’s an enjoyable story with a smattering of vintage songs including Leaning on a Lamppost, The Sun Has Got His Hat On, Once You Lose Your Heart and Me And My Girl.
The chorus was a bit wonky at times but that added to its charm. Of course there was a happy ending and everyone left the theatre Doing the Lambeth Walk – Oi!
By Ros Curtis