Little Voice

Opening Night of KADS’ Little Voice, by Jim Cartwright, was a packed to the rafters full-house, who adored this play with music.

The audience included two bus loads of very mature patrons, who were very vocal about what they liked (which was pretty much everything) and who were very familiar with the old songs and songstresses featured in this play about a shy young woman who finds her voice through her father’s old records.

Madeleine Shaw as Little Voice imitates singers from Lulu, through Marilyn Monroe to Piaf, with what the audience says was amazing accuracy, in a performance that won hearts.

The audience loved to hate Sandra Sando as LV’s stutternly, over-loud and trashy mother, Mari, in what was a gloriously open performance, with wonderful extremes.

Great work from Keith Scrivens as small-town entertainment manager Ray Say, in a performance with notable depth. Good support from Derek Russell as club manager Mr. Boo, Stephen Marr in two small roles, and Jack Williams, who is charming as shy and awkward ‘love interest’ of sorts, Billy.

Special mention must go to Rose Weighell as Mari’s much put-upon friend Sadie. Sadie's catch-phrase is “OK”, but Rose is much more than OK in what I believe is her best performance to date.

Costumes, though deliberately not always flattering, are a particular delight, and are very well chosen.

Alastair Woodcock’s multi-level set belies the minute size of the KADS’ stage, and we feel the disorganisation of the Hough household despite minimal set-decoration. There is creative use of the whole auditorium and scenes set in the local nightclub are played literally within touching distance of the audience.

A very solid production, nicely constructed by director Terry Hackett, which is being received with joy.

Kimberley Shaw