All Together Now

All Together Now is a concept offered by Music Theatre International and presented royalty free over the weekend 12th to 14th November 2021, with the aim of encouraging Societies to perform, once more, after a long period of public inactivity due to the pandemic. The concept allowed a choice of one from two or three options, for each of fifteen pre-set selections. With a running time of nearly an hour and a half (without interval), this potpourri of some of the best items of musical theatre was given an enthusiastic performance by the thirty three strong cast, under MD Ronan Corkey. Their normal venue being closed for refurbishment, meant a transfer to the platform of The Old Kirk, with, necessarily restricted lighting and sound facilities. Nevertheless, with well drilled direction by Iain Rowbotham and confident movement, choreographed by Kay Dickson, the KAOS cast easily made themselves at home in their temporary venue.

Once on the platform, when not performing, the cast were seated around the perimeter of the acting area, and, noticeably showed interest in each and every number. A rousing opening of “Be Our Guest” from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast set the standard for the rest of the evening, all the way through to a Finale of “You Can’t Stop the Beat” from Hairspray.  But, just in case audience members of the almost full house were assuming an evening pulled from the repertoire of well-known, singalong numbers, the programme was interspersed with a few lesser known items, for example “The Human Heart” from Once on This Island and “Seize the Day” from Newsies.

Congratulations must go to all the soloists, small groups and indeed the whole chorus for an evening of excellent entertainment, on a dreich November night. We look forward to seeing KAOS, even if not yet back in their refurbished home, at least performing a fully staged show in 2022.

Many thanks for the invite to (be) All Together Now.

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