30 Years And The Show Goes On.

The New Garrett Theatre celebrating 30 years put on a concert extravaganza celebrating all things musical theatre. With video wall showing newspapers cuttings from the first conception, various moves, trails and tribulations and the loss of loved theatre members. Also a trailer showing various members talking to camera about their experiences at TNGT. The programme has the date every cast member joined too.

The set was a composite with a large space on the floor, a raised platform halfway back then either side Stage Left and Right stairs going up to the back which then formed a walk way raised high at the back. Underneath the raise was a star cloth and above was the videowall. Set Design Sonya Bithell, Lesley Egan, Karl Gerrard and Yvonne Gerrard. Set Construction was Paul Brighouse, Karl Gerrard and Matt Johnson. All involved with the video wall was Karl Gerrard, Yvonne Gerrard, and Louis Gerrity. Sound and Lighting all added to the show. Team were Karl Gerrard, Josh Smith, Callum Bagot, Jenny Dickinson, Jay Nedaei-Moghanlou, Rhys Churchill and Andy Garvey.

Costumes looked good and worked within context. Loved the long green skirts and white tops amongst others. Wardrobe Lesley Egan, Christina Cooney and Marysia Welch. Choreography was strong - loved Show Me How You Burlesque. Choreographers were Amy Gaskell and Ruth Welch. Musical Director was Catherine Taylor and was also in the show and must have had fun with the musical numbers.

With nearly 40 people in the cast I cannot name everyone but everyone played their part.

The curtains opened to a full stage and all cast on stage. Set One was all about the history and reminiscing about the journey and how things began with songs from & Juliet, Something Rotten, Six and Hamilton. With Welcome to the Renaissance Reprise from Something Rotten by Jake Little and the comedy moment form Ryan Gerrard with You’ll Be Back from Hamilton.

Set Two was all about what makes TNGT and how people go on to shine.  With an impressive movement and presentation of Waving Through Window from Dear Evan Hansen, with James Welsh, Joanna Coates and Guy Tudgay, dancers Ruth Welch and Amy Gaskell. Love the contemporary Martha Graham feel. In recognition of everyone having ‘star’ quality Amy Gaskell sang I See Stars from Mean Girls.

Jake Little and Company gave us sass in And You Don’t Even Know It from Everybody is Talking About Jamie. Raise You Up from Kinky Boots got us clapping in the audience by Guy Tudgay, Joshua Thomas, Lauren Goddard and Dane Round, celebrating individuality.  The idea of friendship in the group was marked with a song from Wicked, For Good, sung by Megan Smith and Emma Taaffe was just lovely. To end the first half TNGT celebrated those they had lost and it was noted how many young people there were. All dressed in black with a knitted white rose they sang No-One But You (Only The Good Die Young) from We Will Rock You. Stephanie Maloney, Joanne Coates, Ruth Welch, Lauren Green, Dane Round and Zachery David. Brought a tear to the eye.

Act Two, Set Three was about what makes TNGT strong through the years and the opening was strong with The Show Must Go On from Moulin Rouge with Guy Tudgay, Sian Billington, Ruth Welch, Lauren Green, Emma Swanton, Jayne Reed and Rebecca Gerrard. People coming together in tough times was a theme Stephanie Maloney sang in Me and The Sky from Come From Away and captured that sentiment beautifully. The end of that set was Welcome To The Rock from the same musical which was a fitting ensemble piece.

The finale Set 4 was about being bold and strong and new stories to be told looking to the future. This section the cast were asked to say what they would like and a ballot took place. Songs from Waitress, Pippin, Dream Girls and BeetleJuice The Musical. The Musical. Agony from Into The Woods was sung by Ryan Gerrard and Zachery David which was fun and well-acted out and a particular favourite moment of mine was Show Me How You Burlesque from Burlesque featuring Amy Gaskell and Stephanie Maloney and Dancers.

This was all rounded off with a fitting This is Our Story from Shrek The Musical as an ensemble piece.

This was a well thought out piece and everyone getting a chance to shine, Guy Tudgay gave an emotional speech about the support other societies give to each other which I find to be true and how far TNGT have come despite obstacles. I thank you for your invite, lovely welcome and hospitality and look forward to your next show, the musical comedy whodunnit Curtains. Thank you from my guest Angela and I.

 

Liz Hume-Dawson

District Rep 5

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.