Swan Theatre, High Wycombe

THE NEW New Penny Theatre Company, featured in last week’s The Guide, gave it-s debut performance at the Wycombe Swan complex on Wednesday last week.

The musical Sweet Charity played to an enthusiastic audience at the Wycombe Swan with Jessica Charity Dawes (named after the show), playing Charity. She dreams of being a professional and I'm sure she will realise this

Set in 1966, Sweet Charity is by Cy Coleman and lyricist Dorothy Fields.

At the Swan, the well-dressed, well-drilled cast was headed by 8 handful of experienced and confident young players. The first hit, "Hey, Big Spender," 'was sung by the dance hostesses of the Fan-Dango Ballroom in New York, (where Charity works. More dialogue than dance made the first half less sparky than the second which I preferred. In this, set pieces included the Rhythm of life and the "I Love to Cry at Weddings" by the hostesses led by their groovy pimp, Herman (Mark Bolkonsky).

Charity was sweetness itself as the accident prone hostess who springs to life at the magic words .I love you," sincerely meant by her beau Oscar, but not followed through to the expected marriage.

Anthony Harrison was a capable Oscar, in good voice. Charity strutted her stuff in an exciting routine supported by a slick chorus. Her solo "If My Friends Could See Me Now” asked a lot -dancing on a chest and even on a bed - a routine, which would have needed several, takes on film.

I enjoyed the caustic commentary on Charity's misadventures by Nicki and Helene back at the ballroom. The streetwise duo were played by Emma Southorn and Jenny Dewar. Their "Baby, Dream Your Dream" was one of the most effective songs.

The director was Jeff Eales with Peter Holt, musical director and Matt Fowler, choreographer.

Frances Chidell