Where music and drama combine
Our first production in September 2016 was the musical Grand Hotel. A lost gem rarely performed nd winner of six tony awards.
Based on the book by Vicki Baum and the MGM film of the same name the show centres around the lives of visitors to the Grand Hotel in Berlin, 1928 over one weekend.
What people said -
Audience reaction is in for Grand Hotel the Musical. "strong performances", "impressive", "very good", "engrossing" and "excellent show", "Well done - deserves to have an audience"
In November Operama performed a musical celebration of some of our favourite songs at the Arden Theatre Faversham. Well received by the audience that attended the evening, we will be persuing the concert party event around venues in Kent.. To be kept informed of when a show is coming to your area send your email address through to us on our contact page and we can keep you informed.
CAST FOR GRAND HOTEL
Doctor Otternschlag.......................................Sid Moon
Herman Preysing...........................................Ray Taylor
Baron Felix Von Geiger..................................Ben Smythe
Erik / Jimmy 2................................................Michael Spokes
Otto Kringeline...............................................Chris Chedzey
Raffaela.........................................................Angela Bowden
Elizavetta Grushinskaya................................Kathryn Norman
Flaemmchen..................................................Clair Ellerby
Jimmy 1 / Chauffuer.......................................Ewan Stanley
Rhona / Zinnowitz..........................................Bill Brand
Witt................................................................Jack Woodford
Sandor...........................................................Gordon Harris
Madam PeePee / Tootsie 2 / Telephonist 3....Maddie Parker
Tootsie 1 / Telephonist 2................................Astra Beadle
Trudie / Telephonist 1....................................Zena Ransley
Some of the audience reactions to Grand Hotel
Mary wrote: "Congratulations to Operama on their excellent performances in the musical 'The Grand Hotel'. Thank you all for a wonderfully entertaining afternoon that I enjoyed at the Gulbenkian Theatre yesterday. I can see why the show had won an Emmy when it was on Broadway - the score is excellent, and the ensemble cast were more than equal to its demands. What an orchestra - so, so good. The characters were convincing and a delight to watch. If you didn't go - you missed a treat. Special shout out the Producer/Director Steve Stephen Cresswell - Fabulous. To my old (and young) Kentish Player mates who were involved - you rocked it!
Dr Brian White wrote: "I really enjoyed the performance yesterday evening! I thought that both the storyline and the music were very good, and the interest of the audience was engaged the whole time, as so much was going on. The performers were all good, and there was a professional feel to the whole production, so it was shame that there wasn’t a bigger audience: I hope that you will get more people today."
Kay Rowan from NODA wrote: "Dear Stephen
Roger and I really enjoyed this highly original show. We were disappointed for you all that the audience wasn’t larger. What they lacked in number they certainly made up for in appreciation if all the comments we heard are to be believed.
You and your cast had worked extremely hard to put on this very challenging show. I thought you handled the use of the thrust stage with great thought and panache. Your cast truly rose to the occasion and appealed to all corners of the theatre. There were some really nice touches in the wardrobe department which made the costumes really reflect that particular period. The design of the set combined with the lighting were very important parts of the ambience of the Grand Hotel foyer. The addition of the cast remaining on stage added to the effect of a busy hotel and helped them stay in character.
Thank you for inviting me and congratulations to each and everyone involved and I look forward to appreciating your productions in the future."