Oklahoma! is too big a show to be a vehicle for a single member of its cast, but this Musicals UnLtd production owes much of its quality to the performance of baritone Pat Doherty as its hero, Curly.
Despite the mordant undertone provided by Brendan Collins as Jud Fry, the musical is mostly froth, the story of rural love affairs held together by a succession of Richard Rodgers's sparkling melodies, with irresistible lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Frank Buckley, the conductor and musical director, gets a lot of sound from an orchestra that, while small, is composed of fine players, and he is almost as successful with the chorus, although the difficulty of combining singers and dancers in such a limited company is a little too obvious for comfort.
As Laurey, the heroine, Karen Hackett survives the romping, skirt-waving style imposed by director Noel McDonogh, used mercilessly by Elaine Hearty as an otherwise delightful Ado Annie.
The shifting sands of production values are stabilised by the professionalism of Michael Sands, as Will Parker, and of Frank Twomey, whose Ali Hakim is a lesson in comic timing.
Subtle amplification, while slightly exaggerating the shrill quality in the female leads, does no harm to Doherty; his strong, mellow voice has an operatic potential that should be heard without assistance, but here it defines a tender yet masculine personification that is heard to perfection in The Surrey With The Fringe On The Top. And in all his other numbers, too.
Runs until September 15th; bookings at 021-4543210 or (after 6 p.m.) 021-4270022
