Best of Show Stoppers

These evenings when the company showcases numbers from a range of their past and future productions are really enjoyable. The standard is so high and the range of material ensures that there is something to suit everyone. It is difficult to provide continuity and it takes a great deal of skill and coordination between the backstage crew led by Mike Williams, the Musical Director (Alan Pring), and the Master of Ceremonies (Alan Jenkins) to enable things to run smoothly. Although the opening set was simple with the blazing star backcloth it was very appropriate for the opening songs from “Phantom of the Opera.” Lauren Kempton and Matt Sackman gave a beautiful rendition of “Think of Me.” The dancing throughout the evening was superb and the choreographers Kate Langrish, Helen Stoddart and Jane Pegler are to be congratulated on the variety and difficulty of the steps involved. The energy and vitality in “You Can’t Stop the Beat” was terrific. The first act ended with the addition of some special guests to add their voices to exerts from Joseph. This was the choirfrom Castle Primary School. It was obvious that the children really enjoyed their performance and it was delightful to see them on stage. In the second half there were two particularly memorable performances for me. The first was Megan Leng singing “O My Beloved” which received rapturous applause from the audience. The second was the duet from Jekyll and Hyde sung by Helen Stoddart and Jane Pegler, “In His Eyes” which was superb. After the taster from “Jesus Christ Superstar, I look forward with great anticipation to seeing the complete show as this company’s next production.

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