Mack and Mabel
A classic Musical from the Silent Movie era
Mack & Mabel is a musical with a book by Michael Stewart and music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, who was also responsible for Hello Dolly, Mame and La Cage aux Folles.
Review - Somerset Standard - Thursday 14 May 2009
by Claire Wilson
'Society pulls off Mack and Mabel masterpiece'
The Frome Amateur Operatic Society (FAOS) spring production of Mack and Mabel opened on Tuesday to a packed house.
The 1920's musical, set in the silent movie world, was an unusual choice of show, but with old and new cast members the Society has pulled off a theatrical masterpiece.
Directed by Phil Courage and choreographed by Susi Tenty, the story begins with formidable film director Mack, played by Andrew Carpenter; who is obsessed with making people laugh in movies.
After a morning filming, lunch is ordered and in walks the outspoken Mabel, played expertly by Heather Jones, who makes her debut as the deli delivery girl. She is quickly snapped up by Mack and soon becomes a famous actress.
The pair fall in love, but it becomes apparent that Mack is more interested in making comedies than settling down with Mabel. Mabel leaves the studio to star in more credible films and hooks up with 'serious' director William Desmond Taylor; played by Davey Evans, much to Mack's annoyance and jealousy. She soon gets into the murky world of drugs and seems lost, as does Mack, who is begged by studio heads to get Mabel back. She agrees but goes again soon after when it becomes clear Mack has not changed his ways. Then Mabel is arrested when her lover Taylor is shot and Mack rescues her after she is cleared, giving the musical the happy ending it deserves.
One of the highlights of the show is the fantastic Joanne Plenty, who plays actress Lottie Ames. She becomes famous after Mabel leaves the studio and leads the cast in a great tap dancing number towards the end of the show.
Simon Joyce gives a great comedic performance as the hapless Fatty Arbuckle and 17 year old Alex Williams, who played Frank Wyman as the lovesick writer; gives his all with a brilliant performance.
The show is a fast-paced mix of great songs, fine acting and great music, directed by the excellent Kerry Bishop. Andrew Carpenter's comic timing was genius, he had the audience in fits of laughters with his one-liners and the Society's newest leading lady, Heather Jones, is someone to watch out for in the future. There is no doubt that Mack and Mabel will be another hugely successful production for the Society.
Cast List
MACK SENNETT - a workaholic movie director - Andrew Carpenter
MABEL NORMAND - a deli delivery girl who becomes a movie star - Heather Jones
FRANK WYMAN - an actor/writer and later a director - Alex Williams
LOTTIE AMES - a silent movie star - Joanne Plenty
WILLIAM DESMOND TAYLOR - a "serious" director - Davey Evans
FATTY ARBUCKLE - a physical comedian/actor - Simon Joyce
ELLA - Mack's pianist - Lou Knight
KESSEL - an accountant - Alex Green
BAUMAN - his partner - Gary Williams
FREDDIE - an actor - Wayne Kelly
ANDY - a grip - Davey Evans
Actors, Actresses, Film Crew, Bathing Beauties, Keystone Cops and Chorus:
Natalie Andrews, Amy Bennett, Debi Bishop, Dave Colvil, Lizzie Coxon, Sue Crocker, Marie George, Nigel Hamilton, Karen Harley, Claudia Hickin, Cherry Hill, Bob Knowles, Janet Knowles, Sally Langley, Victoria May, Lottie Mole, Philip Sefton, Helen Smith, Rosalind Wilkinson, Imogen Wolsey and Bradley Wye.
We were delighted to welcome three very talented ladies to the cast - Heather Jones made her FAOS debut as leading lady, Lou Knight and Lizzie Coxon-Tenty appeared in their first FAOS Spring Production, having performed last year in Little Shop of Horrors. We also welcomed Phil Sefton who appeared for the first time with FAOS. With a creative team of Phil Courage (Director), Kerry Bishop (Musical Director) and Susi Tenty (Choreographer), this was a fantastic show!
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