Terry Wills is entranced by the latest production of South Pacific at the Alex.
128 years old and still going strong. It’s proud boast for any theatre company, especially when the company in question are amateurs, receiving no monetary gain for their dedication to the cause.
Into this category fall the BMOS Musical Theatre Company, who, following six months of intensive rehearsals, present South Pacific, one of the all-time great musicals, at the Birmingham’s New Alexandra Theatre.
The story is set on a South Pacific island during World War II as U.S Marines, desperate to turn the tide of the war against Japan, enlist the help of Emile de Becque, a French plantation owner who lives on the Island with two half-Polynesian children.
Enter Nellie Forbush, an American naval nurse, who finds herself attracted to Emile only to discover that he’s the father of the children. Previously unaware of this, and with racial prejudice being a symptom of the times, she feels she has little option other than to break off the relationship.
The American Officers ask Emile to gather vital information that could help hasten the end of the war by undertaking a dangerous assignment to a neighbouring Island , Bali Ha’i. Initially he refuses but eventually, together with young marine Lieutenant Cable, another prospective love story, he agrees. Will he, or both of them survive ensuring a traditional happy ending? Most lovers of musicals know the answer but for those unaware of the story here is the opportunity to discover what happens next.
Written by the legendary Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, South Pacific is a Musical production that undoubtedly stands the test of time. It’s full of lyrical songs such as There Is Nothing Like a Dame, Bali Ha’i, Happy Talk and the tune that sums up the performance, Some Enchanted Evening. Principal roles are taken by John Spencer (Emile De Becque) Abigail Wells (Nellie Forbush) Nathan Dippie (Lt Cable) and Patrick Pryce (Luther Billis) with Lisa Smith in the role of Bloody Mary, the character that invariably steals the show in any South Pacific production.
Summing up, congratulations to the BMOS. Last year their production of Carousel at the Alex received critical acclaim and I will be very surprised if South Pacific fails to be as well received by theatre-goers. I would be almost as surprised if anyone in the audience could tell the difference between this and a professional production.
Congratulations to all concerned.