Celebrating its fortieth year the Zodiac’s return to their roots in Runcorn where they first got together in 1968. The town did not then boast a theatre so whilst rehearsals took place in Runcorn, their performances took place at Frodsham Community Centre. Having completed the full circle, rehearsals are now held at Frodsham and performances – this is the society’s third – are at Runcorn’s Brindley Theatre.

The S.S. America set sail for England with the usual melody of passengers – Alison Wheeler, as the night club artiste/ evangelist, Reno Sweeny and her two angels, Vicki Pathyjohns as Purity and Andrea Jones as Virtue Lorna Goldsmith, as Hope Harcourt, accompanied by Lesile Silcock, as her gold digging, widowed mother Evangeline, and Aaron Cawley, in his element as her wealthy upper class twit of a boyfriend, Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. Alan Jackson was the permanently inebriated tycoon Elisha Whitney with Chris Peate as his ‘Mr Fixit’, Billy Crocker, eventually romancing Hope Harcourt away from her intended husband-to-be, Lord Oakleigh. Neil Silcock successfully brought his comic talent to yet another role, that of the gangster, Moonface Martin, with Carmel Middleton as his Moll, Erma.

All the principal and minor principal roles were well directed, back by a lively chorus in brightly choreographed routines supported by a first class band. Costumes by Charades, wigs by Bromiley and Carnival and a fresh stage set which was well received.

Another success for the Zodiac’s in its 40th year. Well done, all round!

By David Parkes