A Concert for Queenscourt

A Concert for Queenscourt… a concert performed and produced by Queenscourt Musical Theatre Company at The Civic, Southport Road, Ormskirk on Friday 19th July 2024.

It was late February/early March when Hayley Jones contacted me asking me what was needed to form a Musical Theatre Company supported by NODA.  After many conversations and ‘form filling’, on the 30th March 2024 Queenscourt Musical Theatre Company became a ‘thing'.  I wondered then how this would ‘pan out’… having now seen their first concert I think I now know!  When you assemble so many talented individuals, incorporate choirs and young dancers, in an effort to support an amazing local charity … you always hope the interest and outcomes will be positive! Having attended their ‘sold out’ opening night … it was ‘special’ and from the applause and standing ovation that greeted the finale, I think all their dreams came true!  Queenscourt MTC are supporting Queenscourt Hospice is a local charity that provides specialist palliative care across West Lancashire, Southport and Formby to patients and their loved ones when they need it the most. Reviews from families who have used Queenscourt … talk about ‘caring staff’, ‘nothing being too much trouble’, ‘a calm relaxed environment’ and ‘care that is second to none’… so can I take this opportunity to welcome Queenscourt Musical Theatre Company and Queenscourt Hospice to our NODA family.    

Creative Team… staging any production requires ‘experienced people’ at the helm, so when you see names like Ian Lawson (Director), Katie Palfrey (Choreographer), Hayley Jones (Producer), Kelly Anderson (Production Coordinator) and the legend that is Steve Cook (Musical Director) then you ‘just know’ you’re in safe hands.  Ian, Katie, Hayley and Kelly are all involved with other societies that form part of the NODA NW District 6 family, all of whom I have seen on stage many times before. I’ve also known Steve Cook for many years through his involvement with Formby High School and his choirs … G Force and Mundo Africa. Steve just lives/breathes music … so with all this ‘quality leadership’ what could go wrong … very little ... congrats guys, this was an amazing first adventure!    

The Cast: (Queenscourt Musical Theatre Company) Alicia Allen, Kelly Andersen, Emily Bloom, Kelly Bond, Stephanie Brittain, Alan Casserley, John Coates, Harry Corcoran, Hannah Grunshaw, Kimberley Helm, Hayley Jones, Chloe Judd, Lauren King, Samantha Keen, Jacqui Lewis, Rob MacGregor-Forshaw, Peter MacGregor-Forshaw, Kai-enna Mook, Amelia Moran, Zara Newton, Nathan Power, Natasha Proffitt, Liz Wainwright, Ben Wake and Emma Wood. (G: Force Gospel Choir and Mundo Afrika) Lilly Allen, Jill Butler, Jo Cuff, Beth Dilworth, Colin Dryden, Erin Ennis, Louise Evans, Simon Feltham, Anita Harding, Jayne Marshall, Ute Horridge, Jayne Marshall, Lisa O’Hare, Wendy Osborne, Stephanie Richardson, Ange Sitoe, Leanne Smith, Katie Smith, Laura Swainson Walker and Sophie Walker.  (The So Talented Academy of Theatre Arts) Cassidy Ella Ackers, Lola Birtles, Lucy Brookfield, Abbie Davies, Lily Grace Faulkner, Olivia Halsall, Bryony LSE Jones, Imogen Rimmer, Molly Rimmer and Sienna Mae Shawcroft.

Programme (Performed in two acts) … Act 1

i)   ‘Circle of Life’ (The Lion King) … led by Lilly Allen (as Rafiki), accompanied by a full cast, amazing rendition 
ii)  ‘Fabulous Baby’ (Sister Act) … sang well by Lauren King, Natasha Proffitt and Alicia Allen
iii) ‘Hard Knock Life’ (Annie) … sang/acted by the ‘So Talented Academy’ kids .. great choreo created by James Shaw
iv) ‘Little Girls’ (Annie) … sang by Kelly Anderson who brought the cruel orphanage keeper Miss Hannigan to life
v)  ‘Friend Like Me’ (Aladdin) … sang by Harry Corcoran … loved the choreo … great rendition
vi) ‘Show Yourself’ (Frozen 2) …  Kai-enna Mook (as Elsa) … knock this one out the park… loved those high notes
vii) ‘Who I’d Be’ (Shrek) … John Coates (Shrek), Stephanie Brittain (Fiona) and Ben Wake (Donkey) great rendition
viii) ‘Deadwood Stage’ (Calamity Jane) … Zara Newton (as Calamity), great vocals, supported well by the cast
ix)  ‘Somewhere of the Rainbow’ (Wizard of Oz) … Emily Bloom (Dorothy) reminded us why she won a NODA
x)  ‘Seasons of Love’ (Rent)… one of my all-time favourites, great harmonies sung to perfection by QMTC/G Force
xi)  ‘Maybe This Time’ (Cabaret) … sang well by Hannah Grunshawxii) ‘Cell Block Tango’ (Chicago) … Kelly Andersen, Kelly Bond, Kai-enna Mook, Kim Helm, Liz Wainwright and Natasha Proffitt did a great job with this … loved the movement
xiii) ’Together Again’ (Little Frankenstein) sang Rob and Peter MacGregor-Forshaw… just loved it!
xiv) ‘One Day More’ (Les Misérables) … great way to bring Act 1 to close… superb rendition by all entire cast

Act 2

i) ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ (Mary Poppins) … Kim Helm (Mary) and Nathan Power (Bert) loved the choreo
ii) ‘By the Sea’ (Sweeney Todd) … Kelly Bond (Mrs Lovett) joined by John Coates (Todd), Kelly so funny, loved it
iii)  ‘You’ll Be Back’ (Hamilton) … great vocals by Rob McGregor-Forshaw (King George), little bits of humour great rendition
iv) ‘Revolting Children’ (Matilda) … sang/performed by the ‘So Talented Academy’ ... great choreo by Laura Kearns
v) ‘Everything’s Coming Up Roses’ (Gypsy) … sang well by Jacqui Lewis (Rose)
vi) ‘Don’t Rain on My Parade’ (Funny Girl) … sang with aplomb by Hayley Jones (Fanny Brice) … so powerful!
vii) ‘And You Don’t Even Know It’ … (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie) sang by Nathan Power (Jamie)… amazing choreo/danced to perfection by Nathan and the ‘So Talented Academy’
viii) ‘And I’m Telling You’ (Dreamgirls) sang by Lauren King (Effie)… no words, the applause/cheers said it all!
ix)  ‘Six’ (Six) sang by Samantha Keen, Kelly Anderson, Zara Newton, Kim Helm, Kai-enna Mook and Hannah Grunshaw… fabulous song, another favourite with wonderful vocals
x)   ‘The Color Purple’ (The Color Purple) – sang by Hayley Jones and Anita Harding (Celie and Shug), QMTC and G Force Gospel Choir … honestly, I was expecting glasses to shatter in the bar… wonderful rendition
xi)  ‘Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat’ … (Guys and Dolls) led by Peter MacGregor-Forshaw (Nicely Nicley), supported by QMTC
xii)  ‘You Will Be Found’ … (Dear Evan Hansen) led by Harry Corcoran… super vocals/superb harmonies from cast
xiii)  ‘Spread the Love Around’ (Sister Act) led by Hayley Jones and Lauren King supported by QMTC, G Force Gospel Choir and ‘So Talented Academy … great ending to a great evening!

I’m never one to sit on the fence, so if I may, I’d like to select MY two favourite songs from each act… you’ll have your favourites, these are mine…
Act 1… these decisions were ever so difficult … BUT i) They say leave the best till last, but not QMTC… they opened with ‘Circle of Life’ from the Lion King … what a way to open a concert. Lilly Allen as Rafiki, set the bar high, leading the entire cast with this fabulous song… loved the ‘musical notations’ from John Coates from within the mist… great production to open any concert!  ii) ‘Seasons of Love’ from Rent, one of my all-time favourite songs, sung superbly well by the entire cast…. wonderful harmonies throughout… couldn’t fault it at all …  fabulous, just loved it!    Act 2 … even more difficult if that was at all possible…   i) ‘By the Sea’ from Sweeney Todd. Kelly Bond gave us a great take on Mrs Lovett, great humour, backed with facial expressions and mannerisms aplenty from John Coates as Sweeney Todd… just loved it!   ii) Final choice was … ‘And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going’ from Dreamgirls sung with passion and power by Lauren King, OMG … this rendition of this fabulous song brought the house down, amazing!

Staging/Tech … I’m not a great lover of ‘backing tracks’, quality is essential if they are to be used and, on this occasion, they were of the highest quality, supporting, never overpowering the singers whilst enhancing the production totally.  Lights were ever so effective throughout enhancing everything.  We did have a couple of small issues with the ‘haze’, but nothing that affected the overall enjoyment of this concert… congrats to Scott Makin and Moonlight Events.

At the end of the concert, I made a quick dash to the stage to congratulate all involved, in the process frightening some of the young dancers from ‘So Talented Academy’ out their skins… sorry! I then jumped in my car and headed off on my holidays, hence the reason for the late publication of this review. During the fortnight I was away, I think we’re all aware of the tragic events that occurred in Southport. I wasn’t sure if I should make reference to this, but after seeking advice, I really would like, on behalf of NODA and myself, to pass on our deepest sympathies to all those affected, especially Lauren and her family at these darkest of times… my thoughts, my prayers go out to you and to all of Southport.  RIP… Bebe, Alice and Elsie … you will be forever in our hearts!

Thank you so much for inviting Susan and I to your concert, thanks for allowing me back stage after concert to congratulate all involved and thanks to Liz Hartley, Fundraising Manager from Queenscourt for looking after us throughout, really appreciated. We thoroughly enjoyed the evening and can’t wait for QMTC’s next adventure!

Stronger Together…
Jim Briscoe
NODA NW – District 6 Rep
 

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