100 Years Gala

Kentish Players embarked on their Centenary year determined to mark this milestone. Earlier in the year they started off with a party for past and present members. Their staged production in June was an excellent ‘All Shook Up’ and here we are with their Celebratory Concert at, arguably, their home – The Central Theatre, Chatham. They will end the year with a formal dinner and dance.Celebrating 100 years of anything is a great achievement and the Kentish Players did so in style by showcasing their enthusiasm and commitment with past and present members in an evening which reflected upon many of the shows performed by the society, ranging from the very first ‘Gondoliers’ in 1914, through Ivor Novello shows and the very British ‘Merrie England’ and ‘Brigadoon’. The more modern British musicals such as ‘Oliver’ and ‘Half a Sixpence’ appeared alongside the American musicals such as ‘West Side Story’ and ‘All Shook Up’.Every principal who stepped forward expressed the music and words with sincere emotion and accuracy. The ensemble, quite sensibly, presented the numbers simply and appropriately. Praise should definitely go to the musical director and producer David Jonathan, who brought his wealth of experience in the musical theatre to bear, not only in the choice and arrangement of numbers, but in their execution, very ably leading the trio of musicians. Rebecca Beaumont’s choreography was imaginative and enhanced the numbers in which it was used. Linking some of the shows was the projection of photos, posters and programmes from earlier shows. John Bird, the evening’s compere, interviewed  past and present members who gave insight into their time with the K.P’s. This all added to the atmosphere of the evening and was fully supported by a good lighting plot.It was pleasing to see the ensemble made up of members, some of whom have retired from  performing on stage, as well as those in the present company, all giving a performance that previous generations would have appreciated and been proud of. This shows amateur theatre at its best, where nothing they like better is to perform and entertain others. Role on the next 100 years K.P

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