A Celebration of Life
Information
- Date
- 19th September 2025
- Society
- Abertillery Amateur Drama & Musical Society
- Venue
- The Met, Abertillery
- Type of Production
- Concert
- Director
- Harry Bayton
- Musical Director
- Rhian Evans
What a great pleasure it was to be invited to “A Celebration of Life”, at The Met Theatre Abertillery by the Abertillery Amateur Dramatics Society. This was a very special occasion for the society in remembrance of a much loved and admired member and former Chairman; Rob Bayton. Rob had been a great believer in the social importance of the community theatre and the cooperation of so many societies and individual guests coming together in this production is testimony to the affection and esteem this community held for him.
This concert production in two acts gave the audience a taste of some of the best musical numbers from at least 20 different iconic shows, showboating the talent and skills from the host society and the guest societies in a well thought out and very smooth integration of music and movement. The most positive thing I can honestly say , is the collaboration looked and sounded anything but. The cast came together as a fully integrated society show in both sound and movement.
There was as with any show some outstanding moments and with this show, the audience was not to be disappointed. Simon Shelford with a very professional rendition of “Music of the Night”[Phantom of the Opera} left no one in doubt of his superb control while Lauren k Barrett and Georgia K Miller with a beautiful duet clearly showed that they can practice what they preach as LRS Supernova’s Directors.
Tila Dawn Edmunds gave an outstanding performance with “Don’t Rain on my Parade” Streisand herself could not have done better. Bravo. Abi Hodges as a guest performer gave us a very emotional “Slipping Through My Fingers” [Mama Mia] and a beautiful duet with Harry Bayton from Little Shop of Horrors, “Suddenly Seymour.
A linked duet from Tila Dawn Edmunds and Amy Williams “Your My World/All I see is You” was outstanding and so well integrated. My congratulations to Musical Director Rhian Evans.
The full cast numbers and guest numbers including LRS Supernovas, ALC Expressive Arts were well choreographed and gave the audience a spectacle of movement colour and musical harmony which in an integration of societies is a tribute to good direction and musical control. My congratulations to Harry Bayton [Director] and Rhian Evans [Musical Director]
To produce this show took dedication and cooperation within the theatre society. It was a pleasure to be part of this special celebration, and I look forward to seeing you all in your future productions.
Dianne Hayes NODA Wales and Ireland Regional Representative District 7
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