Laughter filled the Playhouse last night with the Oxford Operatic Society’s production of The Boyfriend. A classic love story centred around Miss Polly Browne and her ‘chums’ looking for boyfriends on the French Riviera, while studying at Madame Dubonnet’s oh so posh finishing school. Polly, heiress to large fortune, forbidden to have a boyfriend by her father pretends to be secretary when she accidentally meets the Honourable Tony Brockhurst, an English gentleman masquerading as a delivery boy. Love then conquers all as they both discover who the other really is.
Set in the joyous and innocently frivolous 1920's, the comic script was brought alive by the Operatic Society. Polly’s friends were great fun to watch, implementing frightfully posh English accents, leaving their admirers hanging off their every word while they chatted, screamed and giggled through the show. In fact, the only thing better than their posh English accents were the stereotypical French accents - so like those on the TV show ‘Ello ‘Ello' I wondered when ‘I will say this only once’ would be uttered. The casting of the production was excellent, especially Ronald Hewitt as Tony’s father, Lord Brockhurst. A flirtatious old man desperate for an affair, Hewitt left the audience roaring after his attempts to woo a younger girl in his number ‘It’s Never Too Late to Fall in Love’.
The remainder of the cast can also not be faulted, with strong principle characters supported by an enthusiastic company. The evening included some top quality singing, believable acting and some adventurous choreography for an amateur production. Once warmed up, the dancing became extremely slick, coordinating beautifully with the sounds of the orchestra and drums, and resulting in a professional-looking and sounding production. It was fantastic to see the whole company, men and women of all ages, obviously enjoying the dancing, giving the big numbers such as ‘It's Nicer In Nice’ and ‘I Could Be Happy With You’ that extra bit of sparkle.
Finally it is not possible to finish without a quick mention of the stunning costumes: stylish flapper girl outfits and even authentic 1920's bathing suits, confidently worn by the men in the beach scenes!
A truly entertaining performance, full of big glitzy numbers, humour and good natured fun - definitely worth braving the rain for.
Set in the joyous and innocently frivolous 1920's, the comic script was brought alive by the Operatic Society. Polly’s friends were great fun to watch, implementing frightfully posh English accents, leaving their admirers hanging off their every word while they chatted, screamed and giggled through the show. In fact, the only thing better than their posh English accents were the stereotypical French accents - so like those on the TV show ‘Ello ‘Ello' I wondered when ‘I will say this only once’ would be uttered. The casting of the production was excellent, especially Ronald Hewitt as Tony’s father, Lord Brockhurst. A flirtatious old man desperate for an affair, Hewitt left the audience roaring after his attempts to woo a younger girl in his number ‘It’s Never Too Late to Fall in Love’.
The remainder of the cast can also not be faulted, with strong principle characters supported by an enthusiastic company. The evening included some top quality singing, believable acting and some adventurous choreography for an amateur production. Once warmed up, the dancing became extremely slick, coordinating beautifully with the sounds of the orchestra and drums, and resulting in a professional-looking and sounding production. It was fantastic to see the whole company, men and women of all ages, obviously enjoying the dancing, giving the big numbers such as ‘It's Nicer In Nice’ and ‘I Could Be Happy With You’ that extra bit of sparkle.
Finally it is not possible to finish without a quick mention of the stunning costumes: stylish flapper girl outfits and even authentic 1920's bathing suits, confidently worn by the men in the beach scenes!
A truly entertaining performance, full of big glitzy numbers, humour and good natured fun - definitely worth braving the rain for.