As If We Never Said Goodbye

It is always a privilege and a pleasure to attend a Showcase Concert, and tonight was no exception. This 40 plus strong company is so crammed full of talent from all branches of the performing world that it cannot fail. Little wonder that they attract audiences every year which allow them to donate substantial monetary sums to their charity, Macmillan Cancer Support.

The evening opened, appropriately enough, with “As If We Never Said Goodbye” heralding the return of Showcase to their home in the Church Hill Theatre.  There followed a section entitled At The Movies.  A couple of highlights in this section were “Somewhere” from West Side Story set for chorus and taking the opportunity to show off the skills of the Showcase chorus. Another lovely number in this section was “Maybe This Time” from Cabaret, delivered with subtle emotion by Nadia Milligan. The first half of this evening's concert concluded with a section of Showcase Showtunes. One could easily class each of the seven numbers as highlights in this concluding group, however, in my view “Ex Wives” from Six took the Act to ever higher standards, both vocally and in movement. We were soon to be treated to a very moving “Bui Doi” from Miss Saigon. Craig Young and the Chorus, I am sure, brought a tear to the eye of many in the audience. “Simply The Best” from Tina – The Musical, brought the first act to a rousing conclusion.  

Act Two was preceded with a musical entr’acte featuring the Can Can, before moving in to the first section entitled Moulin Rouge – the show  taking the West End by storm since it opened earlier this year. This would be an appropriate time to make mention of the well drilled choreography in the skilled hands of Claire Smith. Be it lively movement or simple hand gestures, the cast ensured that full attention was given to each and every move throughout the evening. As someone who does not know his right foot from his left, I have nothing but the utmost admiration for the boys and girls who do! Claire, either you are very lucky to have a cast of very talented dancers – or you have spent hours in rehearsal to get them to this standard! (Or maybe a bit of both!)

The middle section of Act Two paid tribute to a few of the music legends who had passed away over the last three years. Names such as Kenny Rogers, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Spector and Olivia Newton-John were featured in numbers including “Islands In The Stream” given an excellent airing by Craig Macbeth and Jacqui Mills. “Hopelessly Devoted to You” from the hit musical Grease was given an impressive performance by Daniel Cook.

A well-chosen Finale selection brought this evening’s concert to a close, and who could deny that the audience were given their money’s worth and more! From  a moving performance of “Candlelight” by Keith Kilgore, we were given another opportunity to hear the wonderful Showcase chorus in action with “The Show Must Go On”. This was followed by bows to “Shang A Lang” – still full of life after nearly three hours!

Technically, the show was a pleasure to watch and listen to. Lighting Designers Andy Johnston and James Gow had given themselves a fine palette of intelligent and generic lighting which effortlessly covered all the needs of the show with beams, gobos and colour, whilst still ensuring that all these special people on stage were well lit. Sound in the safe and capable hands of Ian Cunningham, gave a fine balance between orchestra and singers.  

Last but not least, massive congratulations to Director Andy Johnston and Musical Director David McFarlane with his fifteen piece orchestra. Showcase seems to go from strength to strength, and I am sure one day we will run out of superlatives to describe their amazing Concerts.

Many thanks for inviting me to visit your show on behalf of your District 6 Rep,  Dorothy Johnstone. Well done and keep up the fabulous fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support!

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