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Editorial Coverage |
Editorial Quotes
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The Highwayman and Other Songs from the Shadows By Lesley Bates - The Stage, 9 October 2006 “This is something of a curiosity in a day and age when multi–media presentation is seeping into so many areas of musical theatre. Counter Music Theatre Arts under the artistic direction of Dorset composer Helen Porter take us back to the Victorian age of narrative poems, shadowplay and the magic lantern show. The ensemble of eight voices and a string quintet with piano and percussion combine for a simply, but cleverly choreographed, semi–dramatised presentation. No question about the quality of the singing but not every word was clear, however. Salisbury Arts Centre, a converted church, lent its own unique atmosphere to the six Songs from the Shadows that make up the first half of the programme – mostly grizzly tales of gruesome ends met by trapped brides, barn–burning bishops and tragic trampwomen. All that is missing as these cautionary tales unfold is the cosy fire in the grate to gather round as the nights draw in and narrator Peter Baldwin, fruitily-voiced and jowls aquiver, almost has us believe it is there. Porter’s music, heavily reliant on atmospheric strings, has a gloomy edge although the tango phrasing running through The Spider and the Fly gives it a sense of flirty fun. Alfred Noyes’ classic narrative The Highwayman puts the singers to one side and a three–screen shadow play centre stage, animated by Joe Gladwin and Sarah Stretton, where Bess, the landlord’s daughter, lays down her life in exquisite silhouette for the love of the highwayman. Set aside modern expectation and it is charming, quaint and somehow refreshing.” Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 Next >> |