Theatre

Gang violence, bitter tension - you don't mess with the best 'When you're a Jet you're a Jet all the Way'! You rule, the street is yours, no room for 'Puerto Rican scum' this neighbourhood stays American, 'from your first cigarette to your last dying day' There's only one way to claim back the district and that's to rumble!

Riff calls the gang together. Dominance of the streets needs Tony, ex-member of the gang but he wants freedom - 'Something's Coming' and Tony feels it.

Meanwhile Shark leader Bernardo is sworn to look after his little sister Maria, newly arrived in America to marry Chino. Fiercely protective of his Latin roots and determined the marriage will go ahead he to gets the Sharks together for the dance.

Despite the gangs' obvious hatred for each other at the dance, Maria and Tony meet for the first time and fall in love. News of the approaching rumble between the two gangs filters through to Lt. Schrank and Officer Krupke at Doc's bar.

Tony meets Maria in the Bridal shop and the two start to plan a future together ‘One hand One Heart'. Maria persuades Tony to stop the fight that's going down later that night but when Tony arrives a fight is already taking place and Riff gets stabbed by Bernardo, in a rage Tony turns and kills Bernardo. As the sirens are heard Tony runs off.

Oblivious to what has happened Maria dreams about her new life in ‘I feel pretty’ with her friends whom naturally think she is referring to Chino until he arrives and announces the death of Bernardo swearing he will get even and kill Tony. As he leaves Tony climbs through Maria’s window to beg her forgiveness. The two dream of a whole new world together ‘Somewhere’.

West Side Story

Anita the grieving girlfriend of Bernardo is horrified at his death and argues with Maria. ‘A boy like that’ But Maria begs Anita to take a message to the Jets to warn Tony that Chino has a gun.  As Lt. Schrank arrives wanting to question Maria, Anita goes to find Tony.

Taunted and nearly raped by the Jets, Anita lies telling them that Maria has been killed by Chino. While Doc tells Tony what has happened he decides he has nothing else to live for now and flees to find Chino just as he spots Maria is alive after all and as they run to each other Chino shoots him.

As Tony dies in Maria’s arms the Jets and Sharks flock around the two lovers. All is too late and as both gangs gradually join forces to walk beside Tony’s body the feud looks like being finally over. 

Originally a Broadway production, later a film, Boston Operatic Society bring a rivalry gang style Romeo and Juliet culture to the stage.  A masterpiece where a production gathered momentum from the onset ‘When you’re a Jet’ ‘Officer Krupke’ and ‘America’ were simply pure magic.

Songs such as 'One Hand One Heart', 'Somewhere' and of course 'Maria' excelled to the very highest caliber. From a cast which contains some pretty fantastic talent I by no means take anything away from a particular individual when I group together a company however if I pinpoint anyone I do so simply because unfortunately it is impossible to mention all. Tony (Paul Robertson) and Maria (Rachel Pick) sank completely into their roles every bit as authentic as Richard Beymer and Natalie Woods utterly superb!! 

Sharks Anita (Kim Satchwell) and Fransisca (Katy Tabour) and Jets Riff (Sam Johnson), Actions (Trevor Fenton) are all wonderful character actresses and actors.
And last but not least Baby John (Josh Wilkins)  Arab (Will Stainton) and ‘Anybodys a Jet’ (Jenny Bull) - serious young talent so watch this space!

A tremendous production - direction, timing, musical and choreography ability shone through. And who knows;

                                   ‘Could it be? Yes it could.
                                    Something’s coming, something good.
                                    If I can wait! Something’s coming
                                    I don't know what it is, but it is
                                           Gonna be Great’

And it truly was!!!

Interesting Facts

• West Side Story is based on William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet.
• Music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
• The Broadway production was directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins.
• It was believed the lead role of Tony was to be James Dean unfortunately the actor had died before this became known.
• A musical film followed in 1961 directed by Robert Wise & Jerome Robbins winning no less than 10 Academy awards.
• The lead of Tony and Maria was played by Richard Beymer and Natalie Woods, Riff was played by Russ Tamblyn.