I was delighted that the Chingford Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society (CADOS) performed an adaptation of 'Cheek to Cheek' on Friday 22nd March at the Forest Community Theatre; I was there in attendance along with my wife and grandson. The play was chosen by CADOS as their entry into the 41st Waltham Forest Festival of Theatre and a round of the All England Theatre Festival competition.

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It was an entertaining evening with two plays; 'Goldfish Girl' written by the well known dramatist Peter Souter was up first; well acted and broaching a serious topic - followed by the light hearted and romantic adaptation of Cheek to Cheek!

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Certainly Cheek to Cheek had the audience chuckling (in all the right places!) The script, written by Marcus Scroop, was faithful to the original story but with the addition of  comedic elements and with the titular song of the Hollywood film, of course, which suited the stage production whilst not losing sight of the poignancy and romantic premise of the story; that of a shy unconfident man growing in stature - on the basis that he purchases, and then later uses with growing confidence, Fred Astaire's shoes from a junk shop. Buying them from a young woman (Mary, played by Rachel Hogg with verve)  he falls in love with her which leads up to a satisfactorily romantic conclusion culminating in a lovely dance together (all dance routines were choregraphed by Lesley Ashworth) Ken being taught at the well known(!) Tooting School of Dance by Miss Martin (displaying exasperation with her pupils as well as enthusiasm), played with sparkle by Tina Slade.

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The adjudicator Martin Parr had positive things to say about the play, from the sound (Susan Menge), stage (John White) right through to the acting and direction (Tom Adlam) whilst using his expertise and experience to highlight elements to improve upon when performed in future.

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I, and I believe the rest of the audience, found it a thoroughly entertaining piece with, apart from those I have mentioned above:  Daniel Baker transforming Ken from a shy bumbler to a confident romancer by the end;  David Pinnell playing Mary's father as loving and with a touch of humorous craftiness about him; Lilly (Carol Mills), Ken's mother, spurring him on to greater things whilst in her death throes; and the dance school students, Emma Mayne, Yasemin Inanli, Ros Zalicks comedic as well as rhythmic. At the forefront was the very funny Marjorie (Lesley Ashworth) instantly infatuated with Ken, doe-eyed and sidling until shooed away by Miss Martin.

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The evening was a success and the play was also awarded the Vi Gostling New Writing Award and the Romeril Award for third team.

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I would like to thank CADOS for producing the play.

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READ THE ORIGINAL SHORT STORY 'CHEEK TO CHEEK' upon which the play was based FREE HERE. 

 

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