Back to the Musicals

BACK TO THE MUSICALS was a compilation show, loosely based around science fiction fantasy when a malfunctioning time machine, transports the inventor and his apprentice, through the decades instead of to their chosen decade.   We were treated to songs and dance routines from the 1920s up to present day.   

The costumes were amazing in style, colour and amount!   Because of the variety of songs (from the various decades) we saw 20s style dresses, hippies from ‘Aquarius’, 50s outfits for ‘Sisters’ as well as a massive sea of green for ‘Wicked’. There were some easily identifiable favourites such as the ‘Spice Girls’ and Joseph’s Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.         

The stage was bare except for an old gramophone and there was a lot of use of smoke and lighting to change the atmosphere for each song. I loved the use of spoons for the opening song ‘Putting on the Ritz’.  

The sound was good overall with voices clear and in tune.  However, occasionally the music seemed too loud for the voices; the balance not being adjusted to the amount of singers involved at the time. The lighting was good, atmospheric when it needed to be and bright and more subdued when necessary.

This was a show with a cast of varying ages with all performers agreeably energetic and fully engaged at all times.  There was a good balance of song and dance, large ensemble pieces and solos, one particularly memorable song being ‘She used to be mine’ sung beautifully and thoughtfully by Sarah Marr. With some 60s style dancing, 20s flappers, harmonies for the 50s (or was it 40s) and a Spice Girls Medley and a finale of ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling’, this was an afternoon of sheer delight and great entertainment.   

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