Sidmouth Youth Theatre simply excelled themselves with the musical All Shook Up, inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley, and written by Joe Dipietro.
After a striking opening number we were immediately transported back to a small Midwestern town in the 1950s.
Mayor Matilda had prohibited public displays of affection, dancing, and loud music of any kind, but when good-looking, motorcycling 'roustabout' Chad rocks up everything gets 'all shook up' in more ways than one!
The action moved along at a cracking pace; the various characters introduced as their back stories unfolded. Everything was perfectly linked by Presley songs, and there were many comedy moments which had the audience rocking in their seats.
With misplaced affections along the way, the 'power of love' came good in the end and everyone 'couldn’t help falling in love' with the right person, even the Mayor!
This was essentially a company production, but the principal roles were excellently played.
James Adesina was perfect as the good-looking hip-swivelling Chad, Alex Denning gave an inspired performance as the shy, awkward Dennis, and Alex Harvey was a determined, endearing Dean.
They were well partnered by Iona Gray as mechanic Natalie who engineered a terrific transformation into Ed, Flora Hadfield as a smart, vivacious Sandra and Radina Velikova a delightful, spirited Lorraine. Pipa Nicholls and Jude Barratt were both excellent as the Mayor and Sherriff. Mark Rose and Molly Morton, two adult alumni of Sidmouth Youth Theatre, did sterling work as Jim, striving to 'lighten up' his image, and Sylvia the no-nonsense saloon owner, her rendition of 'There’s Always Me' was superb.
The ending of Act I was impressive with everyone on stage, and overall, the singing, and choreography were outstanding, all perfectly accompanied by talented musicians under the expert leadership of Alan Fouracre.
The simple set worked well, scenes changes smoothly executed by the back-stage team, and sound and lighting spot-on.
In a multitude of period costumes with 'blue suede shoes' in abundance, this was a tremendous achievement for the 80 youngsters, all aged 12 to 18, the adult performers, support team and of course director Angela Davies, and richly deserved the rapturous applause and standing ovation at the end!
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