And The Winner Is

Such a great evening celebrating all that is good about Musical Theatre with Ellesmere Musical Theatre Society.  A great concept in that the publicity for the production included the opportunity for the audience to select which number should be featured as the shows finale and at end of Act 1 – this gave potential audience members the chance to engage with the planning of the production.  There clearly had been a huge amount of planning and congratulations must go to Producers, Nick Lewis and Ashley Wilson, for all their work in pulling this together and pulling it off.  The show had the feel of a black-tie awards event with members of the cast coming on stage prior to routines to both introduce the songs and also to provide background to the shows and the awards it had won.  Covering a vast time-line the selected numbers included Guys and Dolls, Anything Goes, right up to modern day with Six and Dear Evan Hansen and some incredible choices in between.  The songs not only represented a wide range of genres to suite everyone’s taste, but there was also the introduction of some musicals which, whilst winning awards, haven’t had the benefit of a long stage run so audience members were less familiar with them – such as a great selection from Chaplin which was beautifully presented by Danny, Lowri, Alice, Dylan, Bethan and Harry.

There was a similarity between every number and that was the fabulous singing from the soloists and the ensemble.  Musical Director, Gareth Lloyd, had clearly worked the society hard in rehearsals as they created the most beautiful sounds and gave great representations of the songs selected. 

The movement around stage suited all the numbers and the routines were very impressive.  The two tap dancing routines were particularly enjoyable and very well executed by the ensemble.  Carol and Helen gave an entertaining rendition of ‘Bosom Buddies’ from Mame.  The opening of the second half was a brilliant presentation of ‘Welcome to the Rock’ by the ensemble with excellent soloists and a stunning version of ‘Me and the Sky’ by Alice.  These numbers, like so many in the show, really captured the emotion and passion of musical theatre productions.

The show was further enhanced by the involvement of younger performers from Sheffield Performing Arts – clean choreography and excellent delivery from these dancers who really added to the show and were clearly an integral part of it, not just an ‘add on’ or ‘after thought’. The girls all smiled and performed beautifully and, importantly, looked like they were really enjoying themselves.

Congratulations to Nick Lewis and Ashley Wilson who wrote the introductions as they were well researched and interesting as well as being excellently presented by members of the Society – all appropriately dressed in black tie/evening wear – it was like Hollywood without the fighting!

The show ended with an upbeat and energetic Abba Medley from Mama Mia, with the cast using the full auditorium and filling the stage.

The lighting (TD Lighting) is also worthy of a specific mention.  With no set and only basic curtains the lighting was used to great effect to bring out the cast members and beautifully enhance the production.  Sound and costume also added to the show and this was a thoroughly enjoyable evening’s entertainment.

Congratulations to everyone involved on stage, backstage and front of house – I can comfortably say that the winner was everyone in the audience who had the opportunity to enjoy it.

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