Back in the Habit

I had the pleasure of attending Spennymoor Youth Theatre group’s showcase, “Back in the Habit” last week which I was immensely pleased about.  Like many other youth groups they have suffered at the hands of the pandemic with the delays in being able to produce any performances, losing cast members and having to postpone a long awaited production due to Omnicom variant raging at the time they were meant to be going ahead with their production of Peter Pan.

Director Louise Defty has the enthusiasm and dedication to withstand and conquer whatever is thrown at her and this wonderful concert was no different.  It was a powerful enthusiastic wonderful evening of some recognisable favourite songs and some new ones to me also.  The costuming was excellent – especially the “Six” and Jersey Boys melody number, simple where required and more detailed on occasion.

There was still a large cast of enthusiastic youngsters who were well rehearsed, full of smiles and enjoying themselves which is of course what’s most important.  The much younger ones were supported very well by the older youth and the audience support was incredible for them all.  It was a really lovely feel of community spirit.

Some of the solo numbers which really stood out for me personally was the brave choice of “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” by Bethany Wanless who surprisingly tapped into the emotional level needed to deliver this number for one so young; “You will be found” by Faith McDermott which blew me away, “Expressing Yourself” delivered by Charlie Jackson and Megs Defty and “For Good” by Megs Defty and Freya Graham.

I’m afraid however there were real overpowering sound issues the night I saw it, levels were really out of sync meaning the backing track was entirely overpowering the vocals, significantly so in “On the streets of Dublin” so poor Rhys Bye and the other seniors were just not audible at all.  My sincere thanks to Rhys and the seniors for treating me to a personal performance after the curtains closed.  That was excellent.  Really excellent and you deserved to be heard.

Group numbers were bright, well rehearsed bubbly and so very enjoyable.  Your audiences and I absolutely loved you all, especially little Penelope Barras who is absolutely born to be on that stage.  Importantly we saw children having the time of their lives and we very much appreciated it.  I very much enjoyed “Naughty” by Ella-Rose McKenna and Lucy Edwards.  That’s a tough song to sing and you smashed it, especially singing the full musical version and not the usually performed junior version.

Well done to Megs, choreography was very good.  I loved the Jersey boys melody, so well rehearsed and the tap – right up my street!

I’ve often said that “Raise Me Up” isn’t my favorite ending to a musical as I find its delivery a little flat.  Well Spennymoor Youth were having none of that!  We had a lively, funny, slick closing number which left the audience on their feet with a well deserved standing ovation.  Well done to you all!  Loved it.  (I also spotted the lovely straight elbows!)

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