A Night at the BAFTAs

It's always a pleasure to be welcomed to one of this friendly group’s shows. The comfortable seating was arranged cabaret style, around tables which were well decorated with cloths and illuminated wine bottles.

This is the fourth of the group’s “A Night at…” shows and again I was impressed by the amount of research and thought that goes into them. There must be a huge amount of music associated with BAFTA nominations to choose from, but then to source suitable backing tracks and all those fascinating facts must be a herculean task. So huge “well done” to director and writer Rebecca Townsend, and MD Simon Townsend, who was also responsible for the quality visuals projected onto the back wall.

Malcolm Graves was our compere for the evening, immaculately dressed and with any number of interesting and amusing facts at his fingertips as he suavely introduced each section of the show. For example, I was surprised that Mark Lester didn’t actually sing in Oliver! and amazed there were so many shows which received lots of nominations, but didn’t win a thing.

The stage crew were really efficient clearing and setting the props and pieces of furniture that were used, keeping the show moving along nicely. Lighting (Charlie Townsend) was excellent, giving the show great atmosphere, and sound was pin sharp – every word easily heard. Costumes throughout (Rebecca Townsend and Maddi Butler-Townsend) were a triumph with lots of sparkle and glamour and always appropriate for the number – you must have had a good budget or an extensive wardrobe to draw from!

I won’t comment on individual numbers because you all shone so brightly, whether performing solo, in small groups or in the full company numbers. The quality of your singing was excellent, with some nice harmonies in the chorus numbers. You really demonstrated the group’s ability to tackle any type of music – “S’Wonderful” and “Lady Marmalade” couldn’t be further apart! Everything was performed with the appropriate tenderness or pizazz. Amelia Aburrow’s choreography was interpreted precisely and produced some wonderful pictures.

I must, of course, mention the youngsters from the Arabesque School of Performing Arts. What talent you all have, not just dancing but singing too. The “Shrek Medley” was particularly well done, and you enhanced all of the numbers you performed with the adults.

What better way to end a show than with “Do You Hear the People Sing?” which built nicely from a quiet beginning to a full crescendo at the end – and you gave us a chance to sing it too! Great! Thank you for a wonderful evening.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.