Tom Jones

Worcester Evening News

A highly-entertaining performance

ADMITTEDLY, having an opening night clashing with the first England match in Enro 2000 is not ideal. I enjoyed the Nonentities' performance of Tom Jones - based on the novel by Henry Fielding - with a handful of people and a sea of empty seats.

As the performers put their hearts and souls into a fine show, it seemed a bit of a waste that the theatre was occupied by so few. But there is still time to see the show, which runs until Saturday.

The cast was great and provided a highly-entertaining version of the life and loves of adopted boy Tom Jones in the 18th Century. The lad is banned from marrying his love Sophia Weston and so embarks on a journey to find her after she runs away from home. And after meeting one or two loving women en route, all turns out well, just as Tom is about to be hanged for murder.

One thing worth mentioning was the costumes They were truly superb and worked brilliantly with the simple, but highly-effective set.

Martin Copland-Gray was superb as the loveable Tom, whose downfall was his honesty right up until the moment when he wins his love's hand in marriage. Briony Cook was another highlight as Molly Seagrim, the local man-eater to whom Tom fell prey and Lucy Heath was outstanding as Sophia Weston

If you're looking for an alternative to the footie, do go and give this show the support it deserves.

GUY Whitmore

The Standard, Bromsgrove

In a joint production between the Rose Theatre's resident Nonentities group and Kidderminster of Operatic and Dramatic Society, 800 pages of novel have been telescoped into just two-and-a-half hours of fast-moving action.

Tom Jones is the well- known tale of a young man with a good heart and a healthy appetite for sex. He is trying to find his way through life, and struggles with doubts about his parentage as well as the legions of willing females gagging to bed him before a hopeful happy marriage to his beloved, Sophia Western.

However the energetic plot is only part of the attraction of this sensational show, with a multi-level set, exquisite costumes and voluminous wigs promised as embellishments to the diverse assortment rogues and flirts, ruffians and fools that occupy the stage.

Cheeky Molly will give you the wink, Sophia will bewitch you with her grace and purity and Squire Western will bluster in to your heart, while and you will be able to take solace at the goodness of Allworthy.

Tom Jones is the final show in the Rose's highly successful millennium season, and can be seen from Monday to Saturday June 12 to 17.