Shakers - John Godber

 Wednesday 21st - Saturday 24th July 2010
The Crescent Theatre

In Shakers Stage2 once again took snapshots of a chaotic crowd of characters, but this time we explored the ‘bigger picture’ - what brought people to this bar to both work and play? Shop changing rooms were braved, hours dragging at tedious day jobs were counted down, vital make-up repair kits were packed - as we met the customers behind the orders and the waitresses behind the smiles. ‘This is a Shakers set in Liverpool, and the immediately noticeable bonus is that the waitresses – Elizabeth Halpin, Laura Cummins, Helen Carter and Chloe Jones – have such a mastery of the twang. But this is merely the top-dressing. In the riotous final scene, there are confrontations with obnoxious customers and these are handled quite splendidly, with a mixture of dignity and flaring fury. The four girls, clearly the mistresses of their chosen hobby, never put a foot wrong.’... ‘In the maelstrom of music and movement it is impossible to single out anyone and pretend that you have found a weak link. Stage2 doesn’t do weak links.’... ‘Yet again, Liz Light has transformed a show to accommodate the needs and the talents of her youthful charges. It’s a sparkling delight.’ John Slim, behindthearras.com

The show was a hugely successful summer spectacular, full of energy and life with crazy characters. The brightly colour coded costume and set contributed to the play’s buzzing atmosphere. Location was ingeniously defined  through the use of actors as furniture in the first half and by a large projection accompanying a busy bar’s-worth of tables, chairs and decorations, all of which were set on stage by the cast in a matter of minutes, in the second half.  We are grateful to The New Billesley, Kings Heath for letting us decamp to their women’s toilets to film the pre-recorded ‘toilet scenes’. The production was closed by a mass ensemble dance routine choreographed by Adrian Richards and Océane Li Ledantec really capturing the fun and excitement portrayed throughout the performance.

Shakers was the winner of the NODA West Midlands Best Youth Drama 2010, the award ceremony was held at Sutton Town Hall, Sutton Coldfield and saw many company members and members of the cast receive their award with immense pride.