You don’t need a magic carpet or a supersonic jet to make your magical journey.
All you need to do, if you have not already done so this week, is go along Hawick High Street, walk through the entrance of Hawick Town Hall, climb a few stairs and you are there.
Hawick High Street has well and truly disappeared, and low and behold, by courtesy of Hawick Amateur Operatic Society, you are in 42nd Street, New York City.
And what’s more you find 42nd Street is paved with gold, because the company’s presentation of the Broadway hit show under the midas touch of producer Brian McGlasson, glitters from start to finish.
A leading performer on the stage, before venturing into producing, Brian has been the man behind many big Border hit shows in the past, and this one is in the same mould.
It’s got glitz, glamour, flair and style and is simply a wonderful colourful show.
42nd Street has indeed many highlights, among them some absolutely dazzling dance routines.
The stage is continually set alight with really red hot numbers that sizzle no end.
The delight of tap dancing in particular is seen at its very best, and all the dancers excel to a high degree under the guidance of choreographer Anne Anderson, who has to be delighted that all the hard work she has put in behind the scenes has paid such great dividends.
Also deserving the plaudits in the production team is musical director Derek Calder. Derek has had a long association with the Hawick company and is always in tune in every way, as is his orchestra.
Set in the America of 1933, 42nd Street is a show about the making of a show, Pretty Lady.
It has a good story line, that conjures up some splendid characters, with the main theme being of how small town girl, Peggy Sawyer, emerges to take over from ageing star Dorothy Brock.
A line directed towards the character of Peggy Sawyer, says:
“You’re going out there a youngster, but you’ve got to come back a star.”
And Rachel Inglis who plays the part of Peggy, emerges a star, right from the Milky Way.
Rachel is absolutely fabulous. Apart from showing great acting ability as the innocent, naïve young girl from Allentown, she shows she can sing, and dance, and she gives a dynamic knockout performance.
Yes, Rachel is certainly a star.
Deborah Lyons, shines as well in the role of Dorothy Brock.
Making her debut on the Hawick operatic stage as a child in the Society’s 1971 production of The Sound of Music, Deborah has since appeared in many a show. She was a talented youngster and in 42nd Street, one sees that this talent has not left her.
Iain Scott and Craig McCredie, two other seasoned campaigners, are also top notch in their respective roles of Julian Marsh and Billy Lawlor.
Both fit into their characters as if they were made to measure for the parts, and, what’s more, sing in style as well.
Relative newcomers Amanda Blacklock (Maggie Jones), Kevin Sykes (Andy Lee) and Ashley Wolf (Annie Reilly) sparkle too.
The list of quality performances does not stop here, as there is a crop of others, who emerge with flying colours in their parts.
The show also has a strong and lively chorus, and a sea of many excellent songs, that just flows along.
The costumes are lavish and spectacular and the stage a kaleidoscope of colour throughout.
42nd Street is certainly the place to have been this week.
If you have not hit it yet, there is still time to do so, as the show runs until Saturday.
And if you already, have I am sure you would love to make a return visit, for as the closing words of the show states,
“Come and meet those dancing feet on the avenue, I’m taking you to – 42nd Street.”
The full cast
Andy Lee Kevin Sykes
Maggie Jones Amanda Blacklock
Bert Barry Billy Rooney
Annie Reilly Ashley Wolf
Bill Lawlor Craig McCredie
Peggy Sawyer Rachel Inglis
Julian Marsh Iain Scott
Dorothy Brock Deborah Lyons
Abner Dillon Paul Lockie
Pat Denning Steve Low
Olive Mirjam Van Beek
Message boy Connor Bevin
Doctor Ross Aitkin
Gangster David Paterson
Waiter Steven Noble
Gypsy Tea Kettle Girls
Phyllis Clare Oliver
Lorraine Louise Szoneberg
Gladys Amy Bryson
Diane Pamela Scott
Ethel Lesley Fraser
Bar flies/dressers
Moira Boyd, Shelagh Duncan, Marie McSherry, Kirjam van Beek, Caroline Wilkinson
Dime Tap Dancers with Peggy and Annie
Frances Goldie, Emma Law, Joanne Law, Helen Nichol, Natalie Paterson, Gillian Paterson, Angela Thomson, Leanne Turnbull
Ragamuffins
Rachel Inglis, Ashley Wolf, Gillian Patterson, Natalie Paterson
Company
Mirjam Van Beek, Sara Bell, Tracy Borthwick, Moira Boyd, Amy Bryson, Anne Clark, Shelagh Duncan,. Lesley Fraser, Ellen Halliday, Rachel Inglis, Marie McSherry, Clare Oliver, Natalie Paterson, Gillian Patterson, Pamela Scott, Louise Szoneberg, Howard Walker, Caroline Wilkinson, Ashley Wolf