A Smile and a Song

A Smile and a Song – a concert staged by Orrell Musical and Dramatic Society at St John Rigby College, Gathurst Road, Orrell on Saturday, 14th September 2024.         

The Cast … Jean Budworth, Carol Waring, Steph Stevens, Jude Asbridge, Amber Lowe, Chloe Hayley, Cerys Dorrity, Mildred Sims, Wendy Forshaw, Carol Clayton, Shan O'Brien, Sarah Farley, Liz Schofield, Rachel McGunigle, Lily McGunigle, Hannah Wallwork, Ray Sims, Steven Ascroft, Stephen Carletti, Peter Carletti, Andrew Southern, Alex King, Steve Webster, Elaine Eccles, Janet Malone, Corrina Connor, Laura Priestley, Emily Reeder and Natasha Ralston.

Production Team … I’ve said this before and I say it again … people think ‘doing a concert’ is an easy option to put something on stage… let me assure you that’s so way off the mark…. CONCERTS are only good when there’s a great deal of thought and effort put into them… and when Orrell MDS stage one, you always know that ‘effort’ is also to the fore!   Credit for this I think lies with its Musical Director Linda Scott… you can always tell that Linda has had an input … close tight harmonies are always present … and then there’s always that ‘section’ that you think wow… where did that come from and we’ll come to that later in this review. Assisting Linda in these efforts we had Andrew Southern (Stage Director) and Choreographers Natasha Ralston and Steph Stevens, who should also be congratulated on their efforts and the results. 

The Concert was staged in two Acts: which included a welcome from Ray Sims & Steve Webster

Act One… included the following:

i)  Hello from ‘The Book of Mormon’ – sung by ‘The Elders’:  Andrew Southern, Steven Ascroft, Alex King, Jude Asbridge, Chloe Hayley, Sarah Farley, Corrina Connor, Natasha Ralston, Emily Reeder and NatashA Ralston… the entire chorus.

ii) ‘Oliver Medley’ – sung by the full ensemble … which included classics like 'Consider Yourself', ‘Where is Love?’ ‘Oom-Pah-Pah’, ‘As Long as He Needs Me’ and more … some lovely harmonies

iii) ‘Laryngitis’ - short funny sketch by Steven Ascroft & Alex King

iv) Seasons of Love - from ‘Rent’ … love, love, love this song, sung to perfection by the full ensemble

v)  From Now On – from 2017 film ‘The Greatest Showman’ - Andrew Southern began the song with a short solo then full ensemble… another crowd pleaser … favourite of mine … sung really well

vi) ‘An Enormous Lemon’ – another two-handed short sketch from Andrew Southern (customer) & Stephen Carletti (barman) … I called it ‘Gin and Tonic’ … a comedy sketch, acted very well

vii) Cell Block Tango – from ‘Chicago’ sung by Chloe Hayley, Corrina Connor, Jude Asbridge, Emily Reeder, Amber Lowe & Cerys Dorrity … followed by a ‘Chicago Medley’ with songs that included ‘All That Jazz’, ‘Razzle Dazzle’, ‘Funny Honey’, ‘I Move On’ … some
      short solos from Natasha Ralston and Peter Carletti accompanied by the full ensemble. 

Act 2 …

i) Guys & Dolls Medley – one of my all-time ‘favourite musicals’ …  songs included ‘Fugue for Tinhorns’, ‘Bushel and a Peck’, ‘If I were a Bell’ ‘Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat’ to name but a few and ‘Adelaide’sLament’ sung by Emily Reeder. Some great solos and
   some great harmonies… loved this section!

ii) ‘Two Soups’ another funny sketch - Hannah Wallwork (waitress) worked her sock’s off (ever so funny) assisted by Jude Asbridge & Peter Carletti a couple of customers … who definitely weren’t impressed with the service, loved this sketch!

iii) It's Quiet Uptown from ‘Hamilton’ sung by soloists Emily Reeder & Alex King with full ensemble joining in another lovely song sung well

iv) Freak Flag from ‘Shrek’ … some great movement accompanied the singing … ensemble piece

v)  Come What May – from Moulin Rouge … great song, sung really well by the ensemble

vi) ‘They're Not Locked up Yet’ – another comedy sketch involving Andrew Southern, Stephen Carletti (barman again, looking for a job Stephen), Sarah Farley ( poetry reader), Peter Carletti (admirer), Elaine Eccles (gossip) Steven Webster (drunk), Steven Ascroft
     (magician) … great banter!

vii)  Finale … and this is the ‘where did that come from’ moment … Come From Away… a musical first performed in 2013 and which won Best New Musical at the Olivier Awards 2019. If I’m honest, I’d not heard of this musical, let alone knew the story or the majority
      of the songs.  The musical is based on a true story about 38 planes containing 7,000 passengers which were diverted to the island of Newfoundland, to an airport near to the small town of Gander which has a population of just 9,000, after the 9/11 terror attacks in
      New York and how the residents of Gander and the surrounding areas rallied to help those 7,000 stranded passengers. The concert included the following songs from the musical … ‘Welcome to the Rock’, ’28 Hours’, the prayer ‘Make me a Channel of Your
      Peace’, ‘Me and the Sky’, 'Somewhere in the Middle of Nowhere' and then a reprise of ‘Welcome to the Rock’ … OMG, this was a medley full of uplifting songs, messages, melodies/harmonies … just knowing the history behind 9/11, the
      tragic events, the terrorist threat, the loss of life set against the love, generosity and hospitality offered by the townsfolk to complete strangers … humanity, humility at its best, what a way to end a concert …

As always… ‘never one to sit on the fence’ I would like to ‘stick the old neck out’ and select MY favourites… you will no doubt have your own ideas, but these are mine!  I’ll select one from each act…
Act One … loved the Chicago Medley … especially ‘Cell Block Tango’ sung to perfection by Chloe, Corrina, Jude, Emily, Amber & Cerys. I was very fortunate to have performed in this musical way back in 1997 when it was still available for amateur productions, we were one, if not the last society the World to get the ‘rights’ to perform it before it went professional, I played ‘Master of Ceremonies’ … what a musical. All that Jazz, Razzle Dazzle, Funny Honey, I Move On great songs sung really well by everyone involved… I said just one… but can I just mute ‘Seasons of Love’ from Rent… also knocked out the park by ensemble.

Act Two… had to be the ‘finale medley … Come From Away. I’m told that this medley was arranged by Linda Scott … so its every congrats to Linda for introducing us all to this amazing musical. The arrangement worked ever so well, again harmonies to die for… ‘Welcome to the Rock’ and its reprise … contrasting against ‘Make me a Channel of your Peace’ was insane… thank you Linda for having the vision and the ability to create something so special and so real … really must get to see this musical!

Staging/Tech/Lighting … was simple and effective, offering everything required. Tables and chairs, plus the ‘odd prop’ were brought on and taken off by cast members for the sketches.   

Musical Accompaniment …  I suppose I should call them a ‘band’ … Linda Scott (MD /Keyboards) and Nick Woods on (Drums) …. but they’re far more than that for sure, especially Linda, who should be praised for all her hard work in getting this concert ready for stage… her knowledge, insight, foresight is so impressive … be very proud you two… great job!

As always… t’was a great night … great atmosphere, great music… it’s always a pleasure to be with you guys… can’t wait to see the panto…. luv panto’s …  ‘Oh No You Don’t’ …. ‘Oh Yes I Do’!

Stay safe, keep well…  
‘Stronger Together’ 

Jim Briscoe
NODA NW District 6 Rep

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