|
Search this site
powered by FreeFind |
|
|
Other than that, I did not know a great deal about the show. And I was not quite sure what to expect and my initial reaction was a that I had enjoyed the show, there isn't much of a plot, just a good old mix of country, blues and rock n roll music all performed to perfection by the multi talented cast.
James Eaton takes the main role of Jim, the co-owner of the gas station, who leads a lot of the dialogue, (which isn't much!) and is lead vocal for the majority of the group songs. James plays the role with gusto and is a sure fire hit with the audience. James has a great voice and having seen him once before in "Leader of the Pack", it was nice to see him playing a good role and hearing him sing in such good company.
James Earl-Adair plays the role of L.M, the second owner of the gas station. I really enjoyed seeing James in this role, he sang "Serve Yourself" with real soul and it was fabulous to watch. For the last performance of the run, James put even more into the role and the nickname "snakehipped" definitly applies to James in this show! Another highlight of the evening has to be "The Night Dolly Parton Was Almost Mine". This is a fantastic number about the night L.M. went to see the Dolly Parton concert and managed to meet Dolly after the show and was taken aboard her tour bus for a private concert, and a couple of days later having only got to kiss her cheek, he is on cloud nine and shows a different side to L.M. that James plays and sings brilliantly.
Philip Reed plays Jackson, the good looking mechanic who likes to charm the ladies. Phil gets to sing a number of songs throughout the show which range from a cookie solo type of rock no roll number called Mona to the sweet harmonies of a Fishermans prayer. All of the songs show off Phil's skills as an actor, singer and musician by playing a variety of instruments such as the guitar, piano, harmonica, steel box?? and all played to perfection as per usual!
Loveday Smith makes a welcome return to Hornchurch playing the role of Rhetta Cup, one half of the sisters running the Double Cupp Diner. Rhetta is the younger of the Cupp sisters and has a romance going with Jim from the Gas Station. Throughout the show, they play out the trials and tribulations of their relationship, which is often tempestous, as seen in the excellent rock number "Be Good or Be Gone" which is sung magnificently by Loveday.
Wendy Parkin plays the older sister, Prudie Cupp, who is shown as the protective older sister who has looked after her sister for most of their lives and the bond between them is shown to be strong, but the haunting song "Sister" shows a vulnerable side to both of their sisters when they admit that sometimes they dont always know the other that well. Having said/sung that, the sisters work well together and belt out some cracking numbers, such as "Tips", "Menu Song" but for me the ultimate song had to be "The Best Man" sung by Wendy. Wendy wanders amongst the audience picking out men to sing "You're the best man... I never had" and its a wonderful song that Wendy sings beautifully and shows her sense of humour as she picks on men
with not so much hair on their heads, as perhaps they would like!
Another great moment for the sisters is during "Catfish" as the boys sing their fishing song about the catfish they have caught and hope to catch,they are interuppted in spectacular style by Wendy and Loveday walking through the audience playing dixie jazz with sparking stetsons and a catfish through their hats.
Last but not least, Peter Helmer plays the part of Eddie, the somewhat quiet and not so bright mechanic who tends to stay in the background for most of the show but comes forward brilliantly in the second act for "Farmer Tan". This song always makes me chuckle as being a farmers daughter, I know too well the meaning of farmer tan, with brown arms, face and neck and a white chest and legs, he really works the song well and is great fun to watch.
In all, I thoroughly enjoyed the show, it wasnt exactly what I had expected and was glad that I had seen the show more than once, as once I knew what to expect I was able to relax and take it all in and enjoy it for what it is...a high-octane musical experience that blew me away!
A huge thanks to everyone involved and if like me, you liked the music, you can order the soundtrack from the US, via Amazon: Pump Boys & Dinettes Audio CD
(http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000025PR/qid=1113152555/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl/202-6128107-8751834)
Amanda Westlake
The images, text and design of this website are subject to copyright and no part of the site is to be reproduced without the permission of the webmaster