A Musical Journey Through Time

Thank you for the warm welcome from the front-of-house team. It was a long journey but well worth it, to see the familiar faces and especially the young performers who were wonderful.

The show consisted of music from the musical, Act 1 1933 to 1968, and then Act 2 1975 to the modern day. The high-quality direction from Alex McKenzie was well done, he decided to go with everyone in black, with the performers moving from number to number seamlessly. The dynamic lighting by Ali Everitt and Greg McClean, and really good balance in the sound from the performers and the backing tracks. I felt everyone was well rehearsed and performed well.

There are too many great numbers to list, but I would like to mention, the opening numbers to each act and the closing number which involved all the cast. We’re In The Money from 42nd Street, complete with tap dancing was a wonderful way to open the show. The slick Rhythm Of Life from Sweet Charity closed the first act with the audience cheering and giving huge applause. Another Day Of Sun from La La Land opened Act 2 which had complicated but well-performed stage movements and closing Act 2 was Seventeen from Heathers which was stunning.  Every person performed well, the harmonies were tremendous and the vocals were superb.

Other outstanding performances were from the group number Sit Down You’re Rockin’ The Boat (Guys and Dolls) from Justine Abbott, James Adams, Laura Cousins, Kara Cowles, Anthony Curson, Emma Ellson, Freya Jolley, Ellie Miles, and Julie Walton. Lovely chair-orgaphy with super voices and performances from all.  Julie Walton’s solo in Act 1 was As Long As He Needs Me (Oliver), was really well performed, and Don’t Rain On My Parade (Funny Girl) performed by Justine Abbott was energetic and vocally dynamic.

Flash, Bang Wallop (Half a sixpence) featuring the whole company was also a show-stopping moment. So fast-paced and funny, that I was breathless by the end, well done. I enjoyed Ellie Miles singing Burn from Hamilton, wonderful characterisation and delightful voice.  Step In Time (Mary Poppins) was a high-energy number too, with chimney sweeps and a lovely dance routine. The boys did a wonderful rendition of Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You from the Jersey Boys, Anthony Curson, Alex McKenzie, Chris Taylor, and Jamie Thomas who blended their voices really well and had the audience singing along. Every number had great choreography by Chloe Ellson and I felt this lifted the whole show. Backstage crew Ben Miles enhanced the show with slick changes and props.

Overall concept and high level of performance made the show for me, thank you for a great night at the theatre.

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