Saundersfoot Footlights are sailing the South Seas in their latest production.
The village's Regency Hall has been transformed into a lively Polynesian Island for the past two weeks as the enthusiastic amateur dramatic society present the much loved musical, South Pacific.
Directed by David Owen and with Clive Raymond as musical director, the show is a veritable feast of entertainment, filled with bouncy songs, well rehearsed solos and imaginative dance routines, plus romance, drama, pathos and warm humour.
Backed by spectacular scenery and eye-catching costumes, the colourful production, set against a backdrop of the Second World War, tells the tale of young Navy nurse Ensign Nellie Forbush from Little Rock who falls in love 'Some Enchanted Evening' with Emile de Becque, a wealthy French plantation owner.
As the show zips along with punchy chorus numbers, including 'Honey Bun', 'I'm gonna wash that man right out-a my hair', 'There is Nothing Like A Dame' and 'Happy Talk', a heart-wrenching sub-plot unfolds when a young native girl falls in love with a marine.
Winding its way to a bitter-sweet climax, the two stories tie together when the sailor and de Becque go on a dangerous mission behind the Japanese lines, from which only one of them returns.
Footlights stalwart Miranda Davies stars as the sometimes naïve, sometimes hot tempered nurse who puts her fine singing voice to good effect, be it in performing ballads or more raucous foot-tappers, while Jack Docherty, who is taking his first major role with the company, plays the part of the enigmatic Emile with aplomb.
The versatile Steve Butler treads the boards with confidence as Lieutenant Joseph Cable, of the United States Marine Corps, whose secret mission on the island could help change the course of war, and particularly shines in his emotional rendition of 'Younger than Springtime', which he sings to the Polynesian maiden, Liat, played with assurance by Stevie O'Neill.
Two characters who add a touch of humour to the production are Luther Billis, the wily Seabee, and shrewd native woman, Bloody Mary. Billis, who proves everyone's favourite was played with flair by John Baker, while Jackie Hickling revels in the role of the Tonkanese trader.
Also winning the audience's heart with their little French ditty 'Dites Moi' were de Becque's sweet children, Nganda (Cherie Morgan) and Jerome (Ryan O'Neill).
Enjoyable performances also come from the director, David Owen as Stewpot, Brian Tilley as Professor, Gordon Collins as Captain George Brackett and his executive officer, Commander William Harbison played by Graham Thomas, while other cast members include Cliff Hall (Henry), Jane Hall (Bloody Mary's assistant), David Kinnard (Yeoman Herbert Quale) and Catherine Morgan (Ensign Dinah Murphy).
Seabees, sailors and marines were played by Cliff Hall, David Flynn, Dave Morgan, Derek Webb, Maggie Blumsum and Janis Hopkins.
Nurses were Debbie Morgan, Stevie O'Neill, Linda Gwyther, Anne Docherty, Robyn Hickling, Emma Wilson, Janis Hopkins, Francess Jones and Gillian Butler, while the natives were Helen Wright, Megan Hickling, Ben Hickling, Hannah Butler, Cherie Morgan and Ryan O'Neil.
Other members of the production team were: production co-ordinator - Helen Wright; production assistant - Jane Hall; set design and construction - Keith Williams, Jo Williams, Mick Booth and Footlights members; costumes - Pat Williams, Pauline Hunting, Sybil Whiston, Diane Phillips and cast members; stage manager - Keith Williams; lighting - Paul Mathias, Alun Gordon and Lewis Gwyther; sound - Clive Raymond; props - Bernie Mark; photography - Joyce Owen; box office - Pauline Hunting and volunteers; refreshments - Joyce Owen and volunteers; publicity, raffle and programme sales - committee and volunteers.
Members of the orchestra were: Cathy Stubbington, Joanne Underwood, Catherine Lander, Jane Gregory, Clive Raymond, Kyle Patterson, Jess Dyas, Miranda Rees, Mair Bell, Jason Osborne, Andrea Thomas and Eileen Thomas.
All in all, the show adds up to a real team effort by every member of the hard-working Footlights crew, resulting in lots of 'Happy Talk' among the audience who enjoy an enchanting evening's entertainment.
South Pacific still has one more performance tonight (Friday) and curtain up is at 7.30 pm.
CERIS HEWLINGS