The story starts with Jo (Joanne Ellis) an ambitious duty manager at the Liverpool Adelphi, she is having a bad day, when her boyfriend and co-worker Neil (Nick Hawkswell) who is on his last day in the job before leaving to travel aboard, tells her he wants her to go with him. Now she is in a right quandary does she go with Neil or stay at the job she loves. There comes a report of somebody on the roof and suddenly we are transported back to the 1930's when much like Jo, Alice was in the same position with a rogue boyfriend Thompson ( Rob Poston)also working at the hotel, the roof is their secret meeting place where they vow to meet once a year no matter what happens in the future.

The part of the younger Alice was played by Kate Mellors and the older Alice by Denise Milnes, Both gave an outstanding performance in their roles with a sprinkling of lightness needed to bring the characters warmth out into the open. Nick Hawkswell and Rob Poston also dazzled the audience with their singing and dancing and bringing huge amounts of energy and masculinity to the mix. Credit must also be given to Ellis for a consummate turn in the role of Jo

The use of simple, yet effective props and backdrops make the switch between modern day and then back to the 1930's easy and uncomplicated and for this Ken Rotchell deserves a mention. The lighting and sound by Sarah Readman and Mike Haxby respectively helped enhance the swift changes and musical numbers brilliantly.

This show although performed by amateur actors is amongst the best that I have seen in a long while, the whole cast shone throughout giving the performance of their lives and holding your attention from beginning to end. This is one production I would thoroughly recommend you to see it has something special that will touch even the hardest of hearts and bought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion.

Tags: Denise Milnes, Floral Pavilion, Joanne Ellis, Kate Mellors, New Brighton, Nick Hawkswell, Once Upon A Time at the Adelphi, Phil Willmott, Rob Poston, Sharon Henderson
This entry was posted on May 5th, 2010 at 4:10 pm and is filed under Amateur, Musical.

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Saturday night I went to see the West Kirby Light Opera at the Floral Pavilion. The award winning group didn't let me down. They produced yet another sensational production, receiving a  standing ovation from the audience.

Once Upon a Time at the Adelphi follows 2 stories; in the present day, Alice works at the world famous Liverpool Adelphi Hotel dealing with difficult customers and all the demands of a large fast paced hotel, intertwined with this, is the epic story of the Adelphi in its 1930's hey day when Hollywood actors stayed there en route to the UK and European destinations.

The musical was visually spectacular, funny, poignant and contained some memorable songs, a truly terrific night. And how Roy Rogers got his horse on the roof of the Adelphi one will never know! Those who went to see it will know what I mean.

Well done WKLO for another terrific performance and well done to Robert Bowness, the musical director, Mark Gardiner, Sarah Harman-Gardiner and Paul Kirkbright whose individual performances in last year's production of 'Chess' have earned them nominations for the National Operatic and Drama Association Awards.

Esther McVey MP

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by Leanne Durr. Published Sat 20 Mar 2010 15:56,

West Kirby Light Operatic Society are delighted to announce its Diamond Jubilee production - Phil Willmott's award-winning musical Once Upon A Time At The Adelphi, which comes to The Floral Pavilion in New Brighton from Tue 4th - Sat 8th May 2010. Against the backdrop of Liverpool's most glamorous and fashionable hotel, Once Upon A Time at the Adelphi plays out an affecting love story between hotel employees. Ambitious young manager Jo is torn between her career and a new love. However, she is distracted by the presence of a stray guest on the Adelphi roof. Silhouetted against the famous Liverpool skyline, she finds the mysterious Alice. As she listens to the strange woman's stories, Jo is transported back to 1930's Liverpool. As the glitz and glamour of Hollywood are pouring off the luxury liners for their first taste of England, Alice has fallen for the dashing Thompson from accounts. However fate, Hollywood, two wars and a dizzying array of staff and guests intervene in an epic love story spanning 60 years. Now, Alice has returned to dance with Thompson on the hotel roof one last time.

Celebrated writer/director Phil Willmott, whose previous musicals include Dick Barton - Special Agent, A Christmas Carol and Around the World in 80 Days, will work with WKLOS to recapture the magic of this vibrant musical. Once Upon A Time At The Adelphi broke box office records at the Liverpool Playhouse when it played as part of Liverpool's Capital of Culture celebrations in 2008 and is currently playing to packed houses at London's Union Theatre. Willmott's involvement in the production, complemented by lavish sets, the talented WKLOS ensemble of 60 and a 12-piece orchestra will ensure audiences receive an energetic and unforgettable night at the theatre.

Writer Phil Willmott said "I am so delighted that Once Upon a Time at the Adelphi will be seen again on Merseyside, following its 2008 run at the playhouse. It's sure to be a magnificent production in the very capable hands of the West Kirkby Light Operatic Society".

WKLOS was formed in 1950 and was affiliated to National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) from its founding. Its first show 'The Gipsy Princess' was performed at the Winter Gardens, Hoylake from 16th to 21st April 1951. Since then, WKLOS has become one of the UK's leading Amateur Dramatic societies and has been committed to offering the best in non-professional theatre. They continue to push the boundaries of amateur dramatic theatre with this non-professional world premiere production especially to celebrate their 60th anniversary year - 'Once Upon A Time At The Adelphi'.

For their celebration year WKLOS will also present 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' in October. Chairman of WKLOS Tony Clare said: "This is a great piece which we have the pleasure of premiering nationally for the amateur stage for our Diamond Jubilee." The music and style of 'Adelphi' is well suited to the cast and production team of WKLOS and is another first for the Society." With a toe-tapping score and a host of exuberant characters Once Upon A Time at the Adelphi is a romantic musical journey, a joyful celebration of Liverpool and one of Britain's most unique hotels.

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