Best of the Bohemians

Concerts can involve as much if not more work for a company than a full-scale musical production. There is so much to learn with little respite between numbers. One of the advantages however is that it gives the opportunity for members who may have been the back bone of the company but who have never played a principal role to have their moment. Of the 32 strong cast, nearly all had the chance to perform as a soloist or as part of a smaller ensemble.

This was a very well designed, diverse programme which showcased numbers from 26 varied musicals including old favourites like Carousel, Guys and Dolls, A Chorus Line, Follies, Chess, Les Miserables, and Phantom of the Opera and more recent musicals such as Priscilla, Avenue Q, Wicked and Heathers to name but a few.

The strength of the choral singing was evident throughout particularly in the wonderful ‘Masquerade’ - Phantom of the Opera, ‘One Day More’ - Les Miserables, ‘Spread the Love Around’ - Sister Act and ‘Anthem’ - Chess strongly led by David.

Well done ladies on the Gershwin for Girls Medley.

The many soloists too were all in excellent voice and I am reluctant to single out any one person or number but being a sentimental kind of soul I must mention Ciara and Ethan’s ‘Last Night Of the World’ which was sung with such emotion as was ‘Losing My Mind’ by Meg, Alex’s ‘As If I Never Said Goodbye’ and ‘Till I Hear You Sing’ delightfully sung by Ross.

This was no stand still and sing concert but a concert that was brought to life by some lively choreography which was handled very well in the limited space available.

This very fine evening of musical theatre concluded with ‘Shine Like the Sun’ - 9 to 5 giving us a taste of next year’s production.

A most enjoyable well rehearsed evening’s entertainment.

Very well done Bo’s. We certainly did see and hear ‘The Best of the Bohemians’.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.