Around The World with BSP

What a wonderful way to start this musical weekend. First Around the World with BSP and then Around the World again with Eurovision!

I was delighted to be invited to come along to watch and review The Buttershaw St Paul’s AODS concert “Around the World with BSP.  The society have been producing shows for a number of years now doing a main show but also a concert as well, allowing all members young and old to take part in one way or another. Produced by Diane and Mark Boland, Rob Durkin, James Wilczynski and Emma Wilson with various help from others on the creative team, this was very much a team effort.  The concert opened to a fantastic rendition of “The Deadwood Stage led by Anne Tonks and we set off around the world. When the company sang together, it was wonderful.  After each section from different places of the globe there was an excellent introduction to the next by their president Diane Bolland.  I loved the choice of numbers reminding me of past shows I had performed in or watched.  I personally prefer concert/revue shows that have a theme or a through storyline or a way in which the whole show is tied together, and this did. The cast members also performed numbers that they had performed previously and I also thought this was a nice touch, giving them the chance to also reminisce. Overall, this concert was excellent and certainly didn’t disappoint.

The whole show was extremely well led by their Musical Director Rob Durkin, who did a fantastic job at keeping the performance together.

Technically, it was good, however at times cast needed to sing into the microphones as sometimes the sound was lost. and the audience were entertained throughout! The lighting  was simple but effective and the sound was well balanced too. 

Whilst the cast are too large for me to mention everyone individually, I have to mention some of the stand-out sections which were “One Brick at a Time”, “Serenade”, “Follow the Star”, “We are Gentlemen of Japan”, “A Whole New World” and the closing number “We Will Rock You” These numbers, and others were a joy to watch! 

The main highlight was the whole company were onstage doing their thing and singing their heart out!  You captured us from beginning to end  this was a brilliant concert that entertained its audience.  It was clear that there is a lot of love for this society and it is not hard to see why!

I sincerely thank Buttershaw St Paul’s AODS for their invitation and hospitality and wish them all the very best for their upcoming production of Guys and Dolls!

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