Anything Goes Concert

On a warm June evening the Phoenix Theatre Singers once again served up a concert with a great range of musical and other items, led by the talented duo of Richard Watson accompanist / MD on keyboard and Mary Brigg as MD / Conductor with 21 singers set in front of a sparkling star cloth. Linking some of the sections together MC Michelle Cooper provided a bright narrative and was completely at ease with the role. At a number of opportunities, the cast changed costume to provide a flavour of what was to follow and this was a pleasing result.

Richard provided a musical opening of ‘Younger than Springtime’ from South Pacific and the first company number ‘Anything Goes’ was well arranged and sung. In fact, a medley from South Pacific which soon followed reminded us of the beautiful numbers created by Rodgers and Hammerstein. A well- presented contrast was then provided by Sue Nicholson providing an amusing carbon copy of Pam Ayres ‘The Make Up Lady’. John Spencer and Derek Lunt sang ‘Well Did You Evah’ by Cole Porter and the ‘Rhythm of Life’ that followed providing some nice part singing.

The company then staged a very smooth and satisfying version of ‘Whistle Down the Wind’ and the men sang ‘Pretty Women’ who certainly perked up when one arrived courtesy of Michelle! Elaine Tomlins, Jenny Spencer and Suzanne Hill  then sang a very funny ‘Always a Bridesmaid’. Mary Brigg sang ‘In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning’ with great feeling and Richard provided some great accompaniment. Jayne  Lunt and Natalie Smith provided good support throughout the act which concluded with a great Jersey Boys medley.

Act 2 opened with a very nice ‘Ascot Gavotte’ from My Fair Lady with the company suitably attired and Owen Fitzpatrick sang ‘Somewhere’ from West Side Story with a great deal of sensitivity which I enjoyed. The Best of Bond medley  provided some nice light and shade and again was very well accompanied by Richard. This number introduced a rich vein of numbers; Sandy MacNeill singing an excellent ‘Lady Marmalade’ by Patti Labelle, Mary and Richard singing ‘A Song That Goes like This’ from Spamalot, followed by Michelle singing ‘Me and The Sky’ from Come from Away with great feeling. John Spencer also sang ‘I Won’t send Roses’ with great sensitivity and Andy Doyle provided a great effort singing ‘This is the Moment’ from Jekyll & Hyde.

Along the way the Company sang a medley from Godspell and the ladies united, singing ‘My Guy’ from Sister Act, and Jacky Bedford provided a smooth version of ‘Learnin’ the Blues’. The company proved why we sing, with a number of the same title and the audience were invited to join in with the finale ‘All You Need is Love’, concluding  the concert that deserved a bigger audience . I would like to thank members for their usual warm welcome.

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