Back to the 80's

This was my first visit to LAMA Youth and I was very impressed by the standard of entertainment this young company brought to the stage. Having never seen this show before, it was all new to me. The Senior Class of William Ocean High School. USA, graduated in the 1980s and the story is narrated by Corey Palmer Snr, who was, at this present time, aged 30-something. We see the past events through his eyes and Connor Wright was the eloquent story teller. Corey Palmer Jnr, played by a very confident Jack Given, is in love with the girl next door and who, in school, and one of the coolest girls – one Tiffany Houston – excellently played by Millie Anderson. She, in turn, fancies the “hot” Michael Feldman who, is really a bit of a “bad” guy and who will do anything to get his own way. Benjamin Anderson brought the brash, big-headed Michael to the stage with contemporary ease. We also meet a crowd of other pupils who all have their own individual part in making their presence felt in the rather complicated story line. There is Feargal McFerrin III, a geeky computer buff, played by a larger-than-life Daniel Campbell; new student Eileen Reagan nicely presented by Maisie Kitchen; cheerleaders Mel and Kim Easton (Luci Laing and Eilidh Geddes) both in energetic mode. There is also a sub-plot concerning two of the teaching staff who fall out of their relationship, but finally find true love – and Marc Ritchie (Mr Cocker) and Sophie Williams (Miss Brannigan) were first class as the teaching couple. There were loads more super principal roles played by the young members but, sadly, too many to mention here. Sorree! The show got off to an energetic start with the large company performing “Kids In America” and, as the show progressed, the many well-known songs of the 80’s - “500 Miles”, “Dancing On The Ceiling”, “Footloose”, and “The Time Of My Life” were all given the spirited LAMA treatment. One particularly impressive number was “Get Into Ma Car” – when the cast parodied “Greased Lightning” complete with car! There was even a “Star Wars” sequence vividly brought to the stage with a light sabre battle going on. There were lots to do for the company and, with their dance moves, they evoked the spirit of the 80’s. It was the age of Rubik Cube, “Charlie’s Angels”, and leg warmers (did the cast know about all that before the start of rehearsals?) and the show all ended, appropriately, on School Prom Night, when Corey Snr, brought the story up to date some 30 years later . . . with some surprising results! LAMA Youth, you brought the era vividly back to life! Well done!                                                                                                     

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.