A Jigsaw of Music

This production’s programme suggested that, when you open a jigsaw, some pieces might not fit with the rest however, here, all the parts seemed to co-ordinate well together.

The society had been badly let down by their appointed MD who pulled out just a few short weeks before the two performances and many of the rehearsals had been held without his direction.  But an excellent team effort with “the show must go on” as a priority, and the fact that Mark Howley stepped in as MD at the last minute, ensured that a full house audience enjoyed their visit.

The show consisted mainly of songs from musicals including Showboat, My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof, Les Miserables and Oliver and also included some different, interesting, arrangements of Lloyd Webber songs.  There was also a bit of Country, Gospel and pop and the finale was a wartime selection.

It was good to see and hear some younger and newer members of the society given an opportunity to show their talents and one young lady certainly knows what it feels like to hold the audience in the palm of her hand after her excellent rendition of We’ll Meet Again.

I would have liked a bit more comedy content and the lighting did not help some of the staging.  My hobby horse of diction being poor was evident and there should have been more smiles but, in a new venue for them, the cast pulled out the stops for us which is to their great credit.

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