All Together Now

STOKE YOUTH MUSICAL THEATRE – All Together Now

Saturday 13th November 2021

A Global Event Celebrating Local Theatre

Over 2,500 theatres across the globe in all 50 US states and over 40 countries to perform this exclusive musical revue free-of-charge during the weekend of November 12-15 2021.

MTI is providing schools and theatres around the globe with an exclusive musical revue featuring songs from MTI's beloved shows…all free-of-charge.

MTI's All Together Now! is designed as a fundraiser for local theatres to perform live, over the same four-days November 12 - 15, 2021. The past year-and-a-half has been extremely challenging for theatrical organizations and MTI is offering this exclusive musical revue as a way to support the thousands of theatres who are persevering under trying circumstances. There will be over 5,500 individual performances to be seen by over one million audience members.

What a great initiative by MTI, taken on by Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company so enthusiastically. SYMTC like so many others were heavily into rehearsals for their forthcoming show Grease when the pandemic hit hard at the heart of all performance arts throughout the world.

They had a second attempt to stage the show only to discover, most of their cast had gone on to further education, with so many senior members no longer available and their usual through the ranks training not happening due to lock downs they turned to their 12 to 14 year olds to step up and take on the the task, and step up they did.

The show presented was of the highest calibre, working around one of it's leading male members having to isolate after testing positive, Director and former member himself, Craig Armstrong stepping in sharing with other cast members to cover his parts.

Stand out numbers for me at the Matinee performance were, to be fair all of the numbers were excellent.

Be Our Guest from Beauty and the Beast

Stylish bright and breezy opening full cast number, a little tight on space in places, not distractingly so though, great harmonies, well executed, fabulous costumes as well. Excellent opening number which set the tone very high for what was to follow,

Writing Down the Story of My Life from Junie B.Jones

This featured Emily Marshall, built to a lovely crescendo which tugged at the heartstrings.

Meadowlark from The Baker's Wife

Isla Johnstone and Emily Durber, utterly beautiful duet.

Gimme, Gimme from Thoroughly Modern Millie

Taylor Ford featured, sublime accompaniment from the truly excelling versatile band, great use of banjo, soprano and alto sax, trumpet and tuba really helped to evoke this 1920's feel number.

The New World

Soloists and company great piece.

Seize The Day and Children Will Listen

Boys and company and Emma Yates who gave us stunning crystal clear high notes, female quartet and company respectively, both real powerhouse numbers.

Stop The World from Come From Away

Emily Durber, Isla Johnstone, Craig Armstrong and company, encapsulated a lot of the feelings of the last two years. A really creative piece

Astonishing from Little Women

Emily Durber, gave an astonishing performance. This was to be sung by another performer up until 2.00pm. She nailed it.

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious from Mary Poppins

Emily Durber after a quick change, returns resplendent in best Mary Poppins garb backed by the company, put a huge smile on everyone's face with this utter classic Disney number.

This was very much a team presentation, musicians, sound, lighting, costumes the captain of that team, Director and Choreographer Craig Armstrong did a fabulous job bringing this show to the stage with elan, pizazz and relish, a feel good factor emanated from the stage throughout the performance.

Musical Director Joe Hearson must be commended on his attention to detail, the faultless harmonies were consistently top notch, the rehearsal time was very well spent, Stoke Youth vocalists were beautifully controlled, never over the top, all seemingly effortlessly delivered, the emotion and spirit conveyed in the performances by the soloists moved me to tears particularly Millie Kempson singing She Used To Be Mine from Waitress, absolutely exquisite.

Whether it is the time elapsed where we have been devoid and starved of live theatre performances, or simply a case of growing quality and competency to even higher levels, the cast at SYMTC performed way ahead of their years.

Remember these names, as it is not beyond the realms of probability they will be joining their illustrious predecessors alumni on the West End stage in the future

I must first say what a fantastic job everyone involved has done to achieve such an amazing level of performance for this show. The twenty four cast members absolutely shone throughout the fifteen numbers.

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