Show: I Love You Because
Society: Dorking Dramatic and Operatic Society
Venue: No venue information available
Credits: No credits available
Type: Sardines
Performance Date: 24/09/2011
I Love You Because
Paul Johnson | 30 Sep 2011 19:15pm
I Love You Because is a modern musical love story set against the backdrop of New York City. In a simple love story (inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice) an uptight greeting-card writer’s life is changed when he meets a flighty photographer. Along with their eccentric friends and siblings, they learn to love each other not in spite of their faults, but because of them. The Green Room theatre, situated at the rear of Dorking Halls is an intimate and friendly place to visit and Dorking Dramatic and Operatic Society’s (DDOS) performance of I Love You Because complemented its surroundings perfectly. Also, without the recent complications of managing head-mics I have witnessed at other productions I was happy to discover that the singing and lines were not lost at all in the cosy environment. The lovely story moved along at a good pace, with the cast seemingly ‘singing their dialogue’ rather than performing a collection of musical numbers – at least that’s how I felt, and most pleasing it was. The gentle characters worked well with each other creating much humour and camaraderie. Austin Bennett (played by Vince Baldwin) who finds his girlfriend in bed with another man is advised to act as if he doesn’t care and even go out and do the same to ensure a happy reunion. Ably helped by his delightfully funny brother Jeff (Aidan Godwin), we follow Austin’s path as he attempts to follow this not-very-helpful advice. Both roles were played extremely well by Baldwin & Godwin. Austins’ love interest, Marcy Fitzwilliams (Jo Cullen), and Jeff’s new girlfriend, Diana Bingley (Angie Schultz), were also well cast and convincing in their respective roles. And one shouldn’t omit the importance of Dan Bickerdike and Kate Chapman’s skillful handling of the two characters external to the love story – alas, without name, just referred to as ‘New York Man’ & ‘New York Woman’. I’m relieved to report that the music performed from behind the scenes was played at a nicely balanced level to enable us all to hear and enjoy the excellent singing voices from the entire cast. All in all DDOS’s I Love You Because was a most enjoyable feel-good show. Congratulations to all involved with this production and we look forward to a contrastingly terrifying time when the company returns to produce Dracula from 25-29 October.
- : admin
- : 24/09/2011