Little Women - a timeless coming-of-age story

Date published: 10 October 2011

Whitefield Amateur Operatic & Dramatics Society are proud to be the producing the local area premier of Little Women, the musical version of Louisa May Alcott's timeless coming-of-age story.

Little Women follows the trials and triumphs of struggling author, Jo March, played by Sarah Thewlis. Surrounded by her family, Jo finds the basis for her imaginative tales in their day to day adventures. Her sisters prove to be her greatest muses: her eldest sister, Meg, played by Eleanor Molloy, inspires characters both demure and timid; Beth, played by Claire Morris, brings the sweet and compassionate; and the youngest sister Amy, played by Gemma Carter, adds motivation for characters of a rambunctious and wily nature. Together the girls grow into women with the help of their loving mother, Marmee, played by Maria Gooch.

Also added to the girls’ lives is the presence of the strict, outspoken, Aunt March, played by Hilary Eastwood. Elaine Williams plays boarding house secretary, Mrs. Kirk.

Of course a group of ‘Little Women’ must also include the men in their lives. The boy next door, Laurie, played by Anthony Sales, becomes almost like a brother to the girls, acting many times as their hero and confidant. His grandfather, Mr. Laurence, played by Mike Donoghue, scares the girls with his harshness, but soon becomes a father figure. Also involved are the handsome scholars John Brooke, played by Steve Harrison, and Professor Bhaer, played by Mark Wood.

As we follow the life stories of the March family and their friends, we are also brought into the imaginative fictional world of Jo’s stories with the fair Clarissa, heroic Rodrigo, and the evil Braxton.

The versatile ensemble completes this treasured tale transitioning from trolls, hags and monks to skating children to sophisticated ball room dancers choreographed by Shirley Hill

This local area premier is directed by Nick Angus, with the lively score being directed by Steven Mercer, and includes the songs “Our Finest Dreams” “Five Forever” and “Astonishing”.

Little Women
Book by Allan Knee, Lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, and Music by Jason Howland
Radcliffe Civic Suite. Wed 16 - Sat 19 November, 2011

Wed 16 – Sat 19 November, 2011
Radcliffe Civic Suite, Thomas Street, Radcliffe. M26 2UH
Wed-Sat 7.30pm & Sat 2.30pm
Tickets: £10.00 - £11.00
Book Online: www.waods.co.uk
Box Office: 0161 278 8178
E-mail: tickets@waods.co.uk