Blitz!
2014
Blitz! ran from 28-31 May 2014 at the Cripps Hall Theatre.
Dress Rehearsal photos were taken by redrex Photography.
NODA Awards: NODA East Midlands Award Nominee: Best Musical
NMTC presented Lionel Bart’s “Blitz!” over 28th – 31st of May 2014 in the Cripps Hall Theatre, Northampton School for Boys.
“Blitz!” is Bart’s follow up to the world-loved “Oliver!” and NMTC present it to commemorate 70 years since D-Day.
“Set in Petticoat Lane, London, during the Second World War; two rival market stall holders, the Jewish Mrs Blitztein and Cockney Alfred Locke have a feud with enough power to rival the war! Meanwhile, Carol and Georgie (their children), have fallen in love – just wait until their parent’s find out!
The families of the street take daily shelter in Bank Underground station from the German air raids and prepare to evacuate their young children to the country. Meanwhile, the young men of the street are enjoying embarkation leave, before they head out to the front line; assuming that they all report for duty!
Can Carol and Georgie overcome the family feuds, and their own fears, to find each other; and will there ever be peace on Petticoat Lane?”
We supported ABF: The Soldiers’ Charity through collections during our run. They look after soldiers and their families for life.
The charity was formed in 1946 when there was a need to look after the WW2 soldiers.
Unfortunately, over the years, this need has not diminished; and indeed, it is now greater than ever.
While soldiers are in the army, they are well looked after. However there comes a time, maybe 10 or 15 years later, when the past catches up with them and not only do they need our help but so do their families.
The Soldiers Charity helps soldiers and their families with many of the ordinary things in life, the small things that make an immense difference to them.
Cast List
| MRS BLITZTEIN | Becky Woodham |
| CAROL BLITZTEIN | Lillian Thorn |
| HARRY BLITZTEIN | Peter Thorn |
| ALFRED LOCKE | Robert Laurie |
| GEORGIE LOCKE | Ian Stark |
| ERNIE NEARMISS | Keith Loynes |
| ELSIE | Susie Lamb |
| MRS JOSEPHS | Helen Loynes |
| PEG MURPHY | Sam Pollitt |
Supporting Roles |
|
| JOYCE MATTHEWS | Alex Underwood |
| MRS MURPHY | Geri Anderson |
| RACHEL BLITZTEIN | Aimee Green |
| CISSY BLITZTEIN | Jay Snedker |
| BUDDY BOY | Richard Walker |
| MR JOSEPHS | Andy Kempinski |
| MR MURPHY | Mark Maryan |
| PING-HI | Matthew Loynes |
| MR FINKELSTEIN | Marcus Valentine |
| MR O’HARA | Chris Willis |
| MRS O’HARA | Sue Roan |
| MARY O’HARA | Helen Kennedy |
| MRS SMITH | Dawn Hall |
| MRS HIGGINS | Jayne Minter-Maryan |
| SCHOOL TEACHER | Jo Pusey |
| POLICEMAN, TRAMP, STREET SWEEPER | Martin McCarthy |
| FLIGHT LIEUTENANT | Jame Bignell |
| COMPANY | Suzie Bowley, Sally Whitestone, Vicki Leitner, Lucy Heeley |
I came to Blitz! with zero knowledge of both the musical itself and the amateur group Northampton Musical Theatre Company performing it. It is safe to say that I left after almost three hours pleasantly surprised by both.
Also impressive as the lovers Georgie Locke and Carol Blitztein were Ian Stark and Lillian Thorn. However, although I keep doing it (and I suppose I must), I do hate singling out performers as this was a cast performance of great quality and for an amateur one, a wonderful commitment from all involved to get it to this standard.
The unfamiliar songs were tremendously well performed. Leave It To The Ladies a delight on the ear and eyes. Mums And Dads wonderful by the highly talented young stars (they received the biggest reaction of the night from the audience).
My pick of the songs though has to be Be What You Wanna Be, a great tune, and most entertainingly and professionally staged with the pause and move action of the main cast, and excellently sung by Becky Woodham (Mrs Blitztein). This one song summed the whole up for me, an absolute delight.
Music was superbly performed from their orchestra pit and the staging was also solid and professional on the obvious lack of budgeting that must come with an amateur production. Likewise, the front of house organisation was of the highest quality, with drinks, raffle and display in abundance.
All in all the whole evening was of the utmost quality from arrival to departure and without doubt, I shall be at the Royal & Derngate in October/November when their production of South Pacific hits the stage. Just wonderful and well done to ALL involved.