“Mack & Mabel” by Carlton Operatic Society
Nottingham Theatre Royal

“Mack & Mabel” involves the stormy but romantic relationship between Hollywood silent movie director Mack Sennett and Mabel Normand, transformed from an artist's model to a waitress from Flatbush, Brooklyn, who became one of his biggest stars.

Sennet returns to his old studio in 1938 and in a series of flashbacks, relates the glory days of Keystone Studios from 1911, when he discovered Normand and cast her in dozens of his early "two-reelers", through his creation of Sennett's Bathing Beauties and the Keystone Cops to Mabel's death in 1930.

There are some wonderful musical moments in this show."Movies Were Movies", “Look What Happened To Mabel”, the wonderfully choreographed “Tap Your Troubles Away” and the song that most people will know from the show “I Won’t Send Roses”, and the arrangements of the score is rich and lush.

Graham Ward (Mack Sennett),Sarah Millington (Mabel Normand), Ross Lowe (William Desmond Taylor), Patrick McChrystal (Frank Wyman),Abby Wells (Lottie Ames), Alison Sheppard(Mae Busch), Joseph Jk Smith (Fatty Arbuckle), Rob Holsman (Mr Baumann), Guy Molyneux (Mr Kessell), Helen Tunnicliff (Miss Jones), Celine McKeown (Ella), Jennifer Chatten (Iris), Sean Goodwin (Charlie Chaplin), Sam Turpin (Freddie) and Ray Samuel Mcleod (Andy) were the main players.

Other featured actors were Ross Lowe (William Desmond Taylor), Rebekah Daley (Mary Miles Minter), Stacey Ireson (the Writer), Adam Collishaw, Sarah Hill and Jenny Scott (Keystone Cops), Mike Bulford (Serge & Eddie The watchman) and Frank Ellis, Stacey Ireson, Sam Turpin and Charlotte E Barrington played the friends of William Desmond Taylor.

Not only did the above play the above roles but also doubled up for the ensemble, the tappers, Bathing Beauties, Keystone Kops and in other scenes. This goes to show how hard this cast worked throughout the evening.

I'm not going to choose any particular actor for any recognition over another because I just would not be able to do so, As a cast, they all were united in presenting their usual professional best. How could I possibly choose one over anyone else.

That said I must mention the attention to character and detail of the physicality of Chaplin, as mentioned previously portrayed by Sean Goodwin.

Director Sarah Walker-Smith has researched the history of Sennet's films and has added a few little extras with some of the characters which has really given that little spark to an already wonderful musical.

I loved the "movie" sections with the Keystone Kops, Chaplin, et al, and took me back to the days of my childhood when my Father used to show the films of the silent era including Chaplin, the Keystones, Buster Keaton and Laurel & Hardy on one of those old projectors which played the reel to reel films, screened on to a white sheet pinned to the living room wall.

What you will also enjoy, if you're a fan of this cinematic era is the black and white silent movie that Carlton have made, and is played out in full in the interval.

What I also loved, and was really quite emotive was the ending with all of the red rose petals - I won't give it away, because it's a lovely piece of irony with one of the songs that Sennet sings to Mabel throughout the musical.Thank you, that was a lovely way to close the show.

This is a song and dance show and both of these were of the highest quality. The choreography, by Rachael Rees was worthy of any Hollywood film, full of glamour, glitz and spectacle, and that tap routine was spectapular.

Christopher Rees was in charge of the Musical Direction, and there really are no words to describe the beauty of the arrangements and the incredible lush sounds, especially from the string section. Like listening to a wave of music which has swept you away to the land of lush.

The Lighting was of the usual high standard that I have come to expect from Carlton Operatic. Design by Tom Mowat.

The Sound was also of the highest standard and well balanced. designed by Rob Kettridge and the Production Sound by Rob Temperton.

The sets are wonderful, again as always, and include the Kops Police car, a boat and a train. They also range from the backstage rehearsal area of Sennett Studios to a full blown glittery stage for the big tap scene.

Many many more people are also involved in this show, and all local theatre productions, who work tirelessly behind the scenes and who I would love to mention, but my fingers would be dropping off by the end, but they all do an incredible job and deserve to be acknowledged.

Great singing, great acting, great music, great shame if you miss this one!

And can I also say what a lovely front of house crew Carlton Operatic Society have laid on to assist your every need and to make your visit to their show the most welcoming and enjoyable experience.

“Mack & Mabel” is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 11 May.

Photographs by Gavin Mawditt.