Both Sides Now

Both Sides Now – a concert/revue staged and performed by Wigan Musical Theatre Group at St Michael’s Parish Hall, Shaw Street, Wigan Friday, 15th May 2026

Wow… what a clever concept for a concert! A production acted and sung to perfection. ‘Both Sides Now’ transported us into the ‘Café Blanca’ a Wigan Nightclub ... proudly declared as the “fifth best in Wigan”, although we’re told there are only five nightclubs in the town! Inside this wonderfully imagined venue, we meet Club Owners, Performers, Stagehands, Dressers, Bouncers, a Drag Queen, a frantic Tech Team, and a whole host of incredible characters, each with their own story to tell. Some were searching for love, some clinging to it and some were still trying to figure out what love actually means. But through every secret, heartbreak and friendship, one thing kept ‘Café Blanca’ alive — its people!  ‘Both Sides Now’ is ultimately a story about love in all its forms and the people who help us through the tough times!

Production Team ... John Clinton, Ian Hollis (Directors); John Robinson (Musical Director); and Emily Fenton (Choreographer) were the four chosen to try and piece together this story through dialogue, song, vocal arrangements and the simple yet effective choreography!  We also need to recognise and congratulate Jess Lloyd, John Clinton, Ian Hollis, Josh Robinson, Christine Armstrong, Emily Fenton and Clare Hodkinson who... if I’m right in my thinking ... scripted the concept for this concert. Their vision, imagination, the musical togetherness throughout really did help create something really special.  I’ve seen many concerts performed in many ways, but this was different. There were so many stories being enacted throughout, so many clever little moments that brought the proceedings to life ... all of which started the second those curtains parted through to the final bows! Be very proud folks — this was an imaginative concept for a wonderful concert that was enjoyed by the ‘sold out’ house there that evening!  

Cast ... Mark Lloyd (Club Owner) Christine Armstrong (Club Owner’s Wife) Lucy Bache (Cabaret Singer)
Daniella Kelsall, Danielle Lyon, Claire Prentice, Carol Smith & Elizabeth Wallwork (Usherettes)
Lisa Rignall (Waitress) Emily Fenton & John Clinton (Bar Staff) Ian Hollis (Drag Queen)
Matt Morrell & Aidan Miners (Bouncers) Jess Lloyd & James Walters (Stage/Tech Team)
Emily Fenton, Leah Harrison, Sophie Harrison & Jess Lloyd (Dancers)
Clare Hodkinson, Gwen Charnock, Anne Foy & Marie Noon (Wardrobe Mistress/Dressers);
Ros Cropper, Hazel Dobson, Emma Stockley, Annellen Fazackerley, Tracey Fitzpatrick, Brian Heap, Pat Reid, Sophie Harrison, Leah Harrison, Shirley Hughes, Cath Lythgoe & Joyce Ratcliffe  (Club Ensemble)

The Concert ... performed in two acts and four scenes, featuring the following musical numbers:
Act 1 – Scene 1 (Showtime)
i) Somebody to Love – Company
ii) Razzle Dazzle – Mark Lloyd & Company
iii) Bouncer – Matt Morrell, Aidan Miners & Usherettes
iv) Make Him Mine – Daniella Kelsall, Danielle Lyon & Claire Prentice
v) Maybe This Time – Lucy Bache
vi) When Words Fail Me – James Walters
vii) Falling Slowly – Emily Fenton & John Clinton

Act 1 – Scene 2 (Backstage)
i) Something Better Than This – Gwen Charnock, Anne Foy, Clare Hodkinson & Marie Noon
ii) When You’re Good to Mama – Christine Armstrong & Company
iii) Thank You for Being a Friend – Gwen, Anne, Clare, Marie & Company
iv) Will You Still Love Me – Christine Armstrong, Aidan Miners & Lisa Rignall
v)  I Honestly Love You – Emily Fenton
vi) With You – Daniella Kelsall
vii) Seasons of Love – Company (Act One Finale)

Act 2 – Scene 3 (Backstage)
i)  Big, Blonde and Beautiful – Danielle Lyon & Company
ii) She Used to Be Mine – Lisa Rignall
iii) No One Is Alone – Principal Ensemble
iv) Timeless to Me – Christine Armstrong & Mark Lloyd
v)  For Good – Clare Hodkinson & Claire Prentice
vi) He’s My Boy – Gwen Charnock

Act 2 – Scene 4 (Finale)
i) Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Ian Hollis
ii) Will Survive – Lucy Bache
iii) You Will Be Found – Josh Robinson, Principal Ensemble & Company
iv) Wall in My Head – Jess Lloyd
v)  Out of the Darkness – Company
vi)  Both Sides Now – Company
vii) Everybody Needs Somebody to Love – Aidan Miners, Matt Morrell & Company

As always, I’m never one to sit on the fence — so I’ve chosen MY four favourites, one from each act/scene, you’ll no doubt have your own ideas, but these are mine and then I’ve chosen my overall standout song...
Act 1 Scene 1.... Make Him Mine – Daniella Kelsall, Danielle Lyon & Claire Prentice Three fabulous voices which blended beautifully, sung with meaning and great passion.
Act 1 Scene 2 .... Seasons of Love – Company - one of my all-time favourite songs, delivered to perfection, by the entire cast, just loved it!
Act 2 Scene 3 ... She Used to Be Mine – Lisa Rignall... an emotional, heartfelt performance. Depth, meaning, honesty — simply stunning.
Act 2 Scene 4... Out of the Darkness – Company... another personal favourite of mine, sung with power and unity, the entire company at their best!
Overall Favourite - really tough decision but I’ve gone for....
She Used to Be Mine – Lisa Rignall ... As stated above, this was an emotional, heartfelt vocal, that brought depth and meaning to the lyrics with added chills.  I don’t think I was alone in enjoying this song, the applause at its conclusion said it all ...  brought the house down!

Thanks for allowing me to meet and speak with the cast post show. I said then — ‘be incredibly proud of what you achieved, this was far more than just a concert’. The intertwined stories, the interactions, the little montages happening throughout enriched the whole experience. ‘Special Mention’ to our ‘three forever-young cleaners’ Joyce Ratcliffe, Hazel Dobson, Pat Reid who were just having the time of their ‘young lives’. (PS: I’m told Pat is WMTG longest serving member of nearly 60 years, Joyce has done 50 years, Hazel 30 years... all are still fully committed to life on stage and they added so much authenticity and humour to the concert.  Keep doing what you’re doing, you can see and feel the growth. You’ve always had two or three standout vocalists — now you have many and that can only add and be beneficial for the future
adding strength to the society moving forward.

Be very proud of what you achieved that night! Thanks for inviting Susan and I and thanks to Frances for her warm welcome and for looking after us throughout (and just to annoy John — another wonderful slice of Victoria Sponge Frances ahahaha). WMTG, you’re on the right track...  can’t wait for “9 to 5”.

Stay safe, keep well.
Stronger Together
Jim Briscoe NODA
NW – District 6 Rep

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.