Review

The Pajama Game

Gulbenkian Theatre

Steaming: Angela Gallone and Derry Martin get down to basics as Babe and Sid in The Pajama Game at Canterbury's Gulbenkian Theatre CTEM180210PajamaGame-2

THINGS are always likely to get hot under the collar when thoughts turn to love in a pyjama factory. But Canterbury Operatic Society really showed how to turn up the heat in The Pajama Game at Canterbury's Gulbenkian Theatre.

This fast-paced comedy musical romp on the factory floor set new standards for amateur productions with its ingenious set and vibrant Bob Fosse-inspired dance numbers.

The show opened with Sleep-Tite workers racing against the clock to complete orders. But there was growing unrest as the union, led by the nerdy-looking Prez (David Bedford, a real-life singing librarian and Sunday School teacher from Canterbury), demanded a seven-and-a-half cent an hour pay raise.

It seemed strangely topical as British Airways' cabin crew were also preparing to strike.

But a distraction arrived in the form of Sid Sorokin, a handsome new factory superintendent played by health and safety consultant Derry Martin from Broadstairs.

He looked quite the matinee idol as, while playing with his Dictaphone, he caught the eye of Babe Williams (Angela Gallone), the leader of the union's Grievance Committee. Drama revolved around if they will get together and if the workers will get their raise.

Computer expert Bill Brand was compelling as the nasty factory owner Myron Hasler in his black three-piece suite and silver hair.

The whole 27-strong company attacked the play with vim, dancing around sewing machines, tea trolleys and crates but there were fine solo performances and duets.

Builder Maverick Hayre excelled as jealous Vernon Hines performing a dangerous drunken knife-throwing at the works' picnic; school teacher Clair Beechey showed her pants after getting drunk in Hernando's Hideaway and Mae (Lauren Diamond from Faversham), Brenda (Tricia Gray) and Sam (17-year-old Joseph Hodges) opened the second half with the stunning Steam Heat.

Julie Goodchild gave a seasoned performance as Mabel with a Mollie Slocombe air.

Secret star of the show was John Smith's set design which featured twin revolving flats which seemed to gobble up the myriad props as if it was a Tardis. Not sure about the boring brown colour, though.

John Nurden

* The show runs until Saturday March 20. Tickets are £10 from 01227 769075 or visit www.kent.ac.uk/gulbenkian