A Night At The Movies

A Night at the Movies was the title of Sunderland Theatre Company’s 2017 concert, and this friendly company of talented people certainly know how to put on a show, the Deptford and Millfield Community Centre may not be the most glamorous of environments but what this company can do with a few lights and some black material, certainly showed how they can use their magical inspiration and turn any environment into a respectful venue to showcase their hard work from both existing and new members. Director Brian Leach ensured that there was something for everyone in the interesting programme and choices of songs; and it was clearly obvious from the quality of the singing that Suzanne Richardson the musical director had been working with the group as the harmonies were outstanding and clearly appreciated by the audience. Choreography was provided by Megan Crooks and the standard was very good. Whilst there is very limited space Megan ensured that each choreographed dance and movement enhanced each performance and I particularly enjoyed the Indian dance to Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire, there was also a special tribute and presentation to Megan at the end of the performance to wish her well for the future as she journeys off to Edinburgh I would also like to wish her well from all her Noda family in the North region.
The concert brought together a selection of songs, movement and instrumental pieces and with five clearly identified compilations of music it was clear that there was something for everyone, opening act one the overture was from the musical Annie with the whole company singing the wonderful song “Lets go to the Movies” moving into the first section, songs from the Oscars, the male chorus entertained us with “The Way You Looked Tonight” from the 1930’s Swing Time, Lois Smith beautifully sang “When you Wish Upon A Star” from the 1940’s Pinocchio followed by Daniel Drydon who gave a polished performance of “High Hopes from the 1950’s, A Hole in Your Head. Janice Farrow,Cara and  Gemma Fowler, Brian Leach and Jason Waldock delivered a beautiful rendition of 1960’s Moon River from the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s, excellent harmonise and I loved the routine from the dancers and vocals from Gabrielle Smith to the 1970’s song “Last Dance from Thank God its Friday. Stand out performance from Samantha Howard and Michael Brabbs from the 1980’s hit “Up Where You Belong” from Officer and Gentleman, I loved the costumes and the vocals were excellent. The full company returned to deliver a stand out performance from the 1990’s musical Evita with “You Must Love Me” ending the first section was Daniel Dryden and Becky Courtney singing from the 2010’s musical extravaganza LA LA Land with “City of Stars”. Moving into the next section, Box Office Hits was the whole company’s interpretation of “Just The Way You Are” from Pitch Perfect followed by Mathew Clarke delivering the title musical number “My Girl”, I loved the moving performance from Ashlee Bentham singing the beautiful song “How Does a Moment Last Forever” from Beauty and The Beast followed by the company’s interpretation of “The Rose” which was extremely moving with beautiful harmonise, moving it a notice or two was Derek Crook’s interpretation of “The Power of Love” good vocals and I loved the costume. Ashlee Bentham showed us her skills and talent when she played the flute to Hedwig’s Theme from Harry Potter accompanied by Lois Smith and Kristen Bailey with a beautiful dance routine, Brian Leach, Jason Waldock, Daniel Dryden and Michael Brabbs delivered a well-polished performance of “Unchained Melody” from Ghost before the whole chorus took us on the titanic with an emotional delivery of the classic “My Heart Will Go On”. It was the ladies turn next with the signature tune of the Dolly Parton musical 9 to 5 followed by Michael Brabbs giving a polished performance of “Mustang Sally” from the film The Commitments, great vocals and a polished performance concluding the first act with the whole company singing “A Thousand Years” from Twilight.
Following the interval we moved into the songs from movie musicals Alex Fisk opened this section with a confident performance of “Science Fiction from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, there followed two songs from the show Chicago one of my favourite numbers of the concert was “Cell Block Tango” beautifully sang and great chorography delivered by Becky Courtney, Robyn Townshend Megan Crooks,Meggan Tansey, Ashlee Bentham and Cara Fowler, there followed a confident performance from Jason Waldock singing “All I Care About Is Love”. The company then delivered a megamix medley from Mamma Mia before moving on to Grease where Megan Crooks sang “Look At Me I’m Sandra Dee and Derek Crooks and the female chorus delivered an entertaining performance of “Beauty School Drop Out” to conclude this section Phoebe Shore, Abbie Patterson, Margaret Sherrington and Kristen Bailey, sang a beautiful medley from Mary Poppins. The theme changed and we were transported to The Best of Bond, great opening to this section followed by Becky Courtney singing “Licence to Kill”, Robyn Townshend singing “Goldfinger” Megan Tansey "Diamonds are Forever" but for me two of the youngest members delivered two great performances Milly Maddison who had just come out of hospital sang “Skyfall and Gabrielle Smith give a confident performance from the film Spectre, “Writing on the Wall”, two great young ladies with an enormous talent and potential. The final section was four songs from animated movies Milly Maddison delivered “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana followed by a beautiful duet from two great performers Gemma and Cara Fowler singing “True Colours “ from Trolls, Samantha Howard led the Company with a medley from Lion King before the Company ended their performance with the number “I’m A Believer” from Shrek. This was an action packed concert with a well thought out programme, there were some beautiful tones and harmonies delivered by some very talent performers well done to everyone at Sunderland Theatre Company and thank you for the hospitality from your front of house Staff.

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