A Night At The Movies

As the title suggests this was an evening of songs from the movies in the form of a concert. It had been staged with black tabs and legs and the Band on a raised area at the back of a completely empty stage. The performers were dressed mostly in black with coloured items added, and changes into brighter colours as the songs required.

The songs had been divided into themed sections such as ‘Water’, ‘Love Hurts’, ‘A Child’s Mind’, ‘The Joys of Love’, ‘Dancing the Night Away’ and a few more. The first half of the concert began with spotlight raking the Theatre and the Theme from 21st Century Fox Pictures and the second half with Pearl and Dean. The evening had been well structured with the first and last number in each half being lively and full of energy then there was an interesting mix of solos duets and ensembles. Everyone had contributed well to the evening; I cannot mention anyone by name, as the programme did not identify individual performers.

Choreography for an evening such as this can be difficult to structure as there are so many numbers with very different styles of music, and often the performers saying 'I am not a dancer!' but choreographers Natalie Britton and Alice Walton had overcome all the difficulties and almost all of the performers looked as if they had learned a new skill and were enjoying themselves. I particularly liked ‘Footloose’, and it finished with a lovely grouping; also the ‘Bollywood’ dancing was very precise.

Musical Director John Mills had worked hard to develop some stunning harmonies in the ensemble numbers and had put together a well-balanced Band to support the singers.

I think it is often more complicated creating an evening like this than putting on a full show. To achieve an interesting variety and balance is not easy but Director James Barnes, together with the rest of his team, had accomplished this. It was a thoroughly entertaining evening with a choice of songs, which ranged from modern to old favourites, so that everyone in the audience could relate to something. Well done everyone.

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