‘The Boy Friend’ Provides An Oasis Of Sunshine!
We chose the week of the heaviest snow for nine years to present Sandy Wilson’s ‘The Boy Friend’, directed by David Proudlock, in the Patrick Troughton Theatre. Participants were phoned and texted in large numbers to attend Dress Rehearsals whilst the rest of the school was closed. They responded magnificently and the show opened on time, providing an atmosphere reminiscent of the sunny French Riviera despite the icy scene outside. It was challenging to run around the outside of the theatre through the snow in bathing suits to make their next entrance through the auditorium, but the dedicated actors carried this off with impressive enthusiasm.
Lesley McClymont’s amusing and slick choreography was combined with Richard Allain’s fabulous band to create a delightful evening full of wit, talent and panache. Katie Newton and George Richardson starred as the principal lovers, carrying off the 1920s style with a great understanding of the musical comedy style required and singing superbly. Natalie Kosky and Ben Haftel backed this up very well as Maisie and Bobby. Hannah Lloyd-Davies and Ralph Warman found great comic moments as the older couple, Madame Dubonnet and Percival Browne, while Lord and Lady Brockhurst, played by Khari Jack and Jessica Livesey were hilarious as the ‘English Couple Abroad’. Danniella Schindler was outstanding as Dulcie, a part in which she obviously revelled, combining singing, acting and dancing of a very high standard.
A sense of great enjoyment was evident throughout the show and it rolled along with its preposterous plot at an impressive pace. This was a show in which, particularly, the girls of Mill Hill School were able to show their talents to the full, but they were ably backed up by a team of younger boys who show huge theatrical promise. Perhaps the atmosphere is best summed up by this anecdote. One of the boys was really tired after the second performance and when this was commented upon he said: ‘I just couldn't get to sleep last night. My mind was buzzing!’ The audience response showed that they felt that way as well.