Lavender Theatre is set on the grounds of Mayfield Lavender Garden Centre. The outdoor production boasts a large wooden-based staging with distressed wild west props taking the audience back to the depths of America during that period when men settled feuds with gun fights and women were “pretty and delicate” and definitely didn’t touch a gun!
Based on the true story of Annie Oakley the Wild West sharp shooting lady whose precision matched any of her male rivals during her time. Was first bought to the stage as a Musical by Irving Berlin between 1888-1889.
Buffalo Bill Cody ( Elliot Broadfoot) plays the famous American Soldier and then for his touring company productions around American states where he aimed to educate and entertain audiences during the mid-Nineteenth Century.
2018 UK Eurovision song contest entrant SuRi takes on the formidable “gun totting” Annie Oakley. From humble beginnings, she rises to fame and finds love in fellow competitor Frank Butler (Charlie McCullagh). Butler struggles being beaten in competitions by Oakley especially as she’s a woman! The journey to true love often has hurdles and separations along the way, theirs is no exception.
SuRie and Butler’s believable onstage chemistry adds additional magic to their outstanding performances. Sweeping the audience along with them as Annie’s headstrong determination to succeed isn’t something Butler can easily accept.
The younger cast on stage for today’s performance never once faltered in their roles. Depending on which day you go there’s a red and blue casting for the six young actors taking part. Today we saw the talented blue team comprising Olivia Ainsworth, Mahlie Duval and Poppy Lerougetel. Anna Hale’s children’s director must take credit for their excellent performances.
Simon Hardwick director/choreographer and co-designer brilliantly recreates Annie Get Your Gun for the outside stage. Each cast member was selected for their strong stage presence and singing abilities. There wasn’t a note or step out of place at any point despite battling the elements. A fantastic opportunity to watch this musical is an intimate and unique setting.
Saturday 22nd July was certainly not a day for outside performances as the intermittent rain lashed down at times with a cold wind behind it. This didn’t stop the cast from delivering an outstanding performance although I am sure they were cautious of slipping during some of the dance routines. Leaving me in awe of the stalwart “Show must go” attitude taken by the whole production.
The Musical is running until August 5th 2023. Thoroughly recommended for a fantastic afternoon or evening of 5 star entertainment.
For more on the production and performance times please check out the information below.
Five Stars.
Photos by Harry Elletson
Creative team:
Director/Choreographer Simon Hardwick (‘My Fair Lady’)
Musical Supervisor Matthew Spalding (‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, ‘Singin’ In The Rain’)
Musical Director Debbi Clarke (‘Stranger Sings’, ‘DIVA: Live From Hell!’)
Casting Danielle Tarento
Produced by Lavender Theatre Artistic Director Joe McNeice for Lavender Productions Ltd
LISTINGS INFO
Annie Get Your Gun
Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin
Original Book by Herbert Fields and
Dorothy Fields|
As Revised by Peter Stone
Monday 17 July to Saturday 5 August.
Evening performances at 19:30
Monday – Saturday
matinee performances at 14:30
on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
HOW TO GET TO LAVENDER THEATRE
Easily accessible via car, train, and bus, the Lavender
Theatre is situated within Mayfield Lavender at
139 Reigate Road in Epsom.
Trains run every 30 minutes from London
Victoria to and from Epsom Downs station (Zone 6).
TfL contactless and Oyster payments are accepted.
The theatre is a 7-minute walk from the station.
The 166 bus from West Croydon stops on
Reigate Road, approximately 200ft away from
the theatre entrance gates.
The Lavender Theatre is equipped with off-road
car parking spaces, though we encourage local
visitors to walk or cycle to the theatre.
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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