Back to our Future

I was delighted to be invited to attend Buttershaw St Paul’s AOS concert entitled ‘Back to Our Future, a concert of musical theatre favourites’ some of which had been chosen to mark their 90th Anniversary which the concert was in aid of. Returning to the stage for the first time since performing Kipps in January 2020 which was the last time the society had been able to perform was a wonderful experience. From the moment we arrived the front of house team made us feel like long lost friends and we were looked after by Simon Tonks who looked on proudly as his wife Anne, the first soloist performed the wonderful “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. The simply staged concert of traditional favourites (conducted by Rob Durkin) was received like a warm hug and its audience were charmed as we were presented with a nostalgic look back over a few of the shows performed by the company over the previous 90 years. 

As well as Anne Tonks performance of You’ll Never Walk Alone there were also a number of other performances worthy of mention, Alison Smith “Stand Up” from Made in Dagenham and “Don’t Lose Your Head” from Six, “You’ll Be Back” from Hamilton performed by Darren Smith, “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast by James Wilczynski and Rebecca Burton and “That Beautiful Mind” from Beetlejuice performed by Jack Bailey & Phoebe Wood. The company also performed some wonderful choral pieces including opening the show with “We Sail the Ocean Blue” from HMS Pinafore the societies first show in 1933 and one of my personal favourites “Anthem” from Chess which was dedicated to the Ukraine and its people. Some of the musical pieces were also set to dance, which was a nice touch, by their choreographer Emma Wilson.

Finally a thank you to the President Diane Bolland for leading us, the audience on a wonderful trip down memory lane.

An evening of enjoyable musical favourites, welcomed by its audience.

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