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HIGH SOCIETY
Swanage Choral and Operatic Society
Mowlem Theatre
Swanage
April 2006

If the members of this company and their director Brenda Ridout aren’t drinking champagne at their after-show party then they certainly should be, because they’ve pulled off a sparkling, fun-filled production that was a real pleasure to watch. A great multi-function black and white set that turns and folds to represent various scenes, first-class props, superb costumes and a smashing orchestra all play a vital role, as do the lively chorus.
And among the excellent principal performances there are some that really shine through. Karen Woolley is absolutely delightful as rich divorcee Tracy Lord, and her real-life daughter Sara simply glows as her precocious young sister, Dinah. Society newcomer Adrian Lane, playing CK Dexter-Haven, proves to be a welcome asset while Danny Seldon, making a brief return visit in a break from his professional drama training, excels as journalist Mike Connor – his drunken negotiation of stairs while carrying equally drunk Tracy is a joy.
Katharine Bailey makes a vivid impact as fellow journalist Elizabeth Imbrie, and there are good performances too from Pauline Windle, Rob Atkins, James Chelton and David Sagar.
But the jury is still out on those body mikes, which appear to work only spasmodically. Were they really necessary?

Linda Kirkman.
Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo


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