What a great show this was!  How did Markinch manage to get so many people on stage without it looking crowded?  Certainly the lower height rostra at the front was used to good effect and the wonderful back cloth had such an illusion of depth. Congratulations to the scenic artists!  The principal work was all of an exceptionally high standard.  Jason Roseweir sang and acted Curly beautifully.  He was ably partnered by Kirsty Anderson who made a fine Laurey.  Derek Walker brought great comedy and timing to the part of Will Parker and Laura Paterson was a memorable Ado Annie.  Scott Smeaton was a definitive Jud and Craig Spence hit all the right spots with his portrayal of Ali Hakim.  The chorus attacked all their numbers with great gusto, particularly during ‘The Farmer and the Cowman’, which was certainly a high point.  I also really enjoyed the staging of the ballet.  A really enjoyable show.  It was good to see so many men on stage.

A few photos of the Friday performance - by Ken Wilkie

Laurey with the Girls - “Many A New Day”

Ali Hakim with the Boys - “It’s A Scandal, It’s A Outrage”

 
Curl and Jud in the smokehouse - “Pore Jud Is Daid”

The Dancers, Jud and the Bargirls - “Dream Ballet”

Andrew Carnes, Aunt Eller, Curly, Will Parker, Ado Annie and Ensemble - “The Farmer And The Cowman”

Dancers and Ensemble - “The Farmer And The Cowman”

Curly     Jason Roseweir
Laurey     Kirsty Anderson
Ado Annie     Laura Paterson
Will Parker     Derek Walker
Aunt Eller     Claire Owens
Jud Fry     Scott Smeaton
Ali Hakim     Craig Spence
Gertie Cummings     Julie Stirling
Andrew Carnes     Glen McGill
Cord Elam     John Marshall
Ike Skidmore    Alan Woolley

This season we will be presenting
 Rodger and Hammerstein’s

Rehearsals started on Tuesday 6th October in the town hall. The first night included a bit of singing and an Oklahoma hoedown - jeans, boots and a checked shirt were optional and everyone seemed to have a ball !

Contact Valerie Thomson for more details.
Telephone 01592 758478 or email  secretary@maos.org.uk

They’ve made their mark at Markinch
Seven members of Markinch Amateur Operatic Society, received long-service awards totalling 205 years after the curtain fell on their production of Lionel Bart’s Blitz!
The society’s president, Ian Thomson, and treasurer, Helen Law, both received their 50-year awards having both spent the whole time with the group. Two 30-year awards were presented to Valerie Thomson and Janice Wilkie, and three members of the company, Elaine Barlow, Julie Stirling and Glen McGill, received their 15-year awards.
John Urquhart, regional representative for Fife, made the presentations on stage at Markinch Town Hall, following the final performance of Blitz!

In the picture, left to right, are: Julie Stirling (15 years), Ian Thomson (50 years), John Urquhart, Valerie Thomson (30 years), Elaine Barlow (15 years), Glen McGill (1l5 years),; Helen Law (50 years) and Janice Wilkie (30 years).

It was great to see “Blitz!” making a re-appearance in Fife, and Markinch AOS fielded one of their strongest casts.
The show is dependent on the pivotal role of Mrs Blitztein, and Hilary Elsy commanded the stage in this part as the main focus.  Her confrontations with Alfred Locke (Alan Woolley) were well handled and both characters very much set the tone of the production.  Laura Paterson was most convincing as Carol Blitztein. She handled the blindness very believably.
Paul Stirling impressed as Georgie Locke. Craig Spence, a very worthy winner of the “President’s Award”, excelled as Harry Blitztein.  He handled “Duty Calls” with such enthusiasm! Glen McGill gave a very endearing portrayal of Ernie Nearmiss.  There were lots of lovely cameo performances from other principals and chorus members.  The show was staged imaginatively, with all the sets painted on a black and white theme.  There was much attention to detail in hairstyles, costumes and interesting historical displays Front of House. Overall, a very entertaining evening.

http://www.maos.org.uk/blitz/index.html

Claire x