Bring it On The Musical

Music by Tom Kitt & Lin-Manuel Miranda – Libretto by Jeff Whitty
Lyrics by Amanda Green & Lin-Manuel MirandaInspired by the 2000 hit film, ‘Bring It On The Musical’ is an award-winning stage show which originally premiered at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, in January 2011.

14 years on at Theatre Severn’s Walker Theatre on Saturday evening, Curtain Call Studios succeeded in ‘bringing it on’ themselves in an absolutely phenomenal production, performed to a standard you would be hard pressed to see in a professional theatre.

I have been lucky enough to watch many amateur theatre productions in my time, but this was certainly well up there with the very best. What makes it even more incredible is that the show had been cast, rehearsed and fully staged by the Shrewsbury-based company in just six days!

The show tells the story of Campbell Davis and her dream to become the captain of Truman High School’s cheerleading squad and lead them to victory in a national competition. To her delight, Campbell secures the role of cheer captain and quickly sets about replacing the graduating members of the squad who are leaving at the end of term. Everything is working out well but then, and completely out of the blue, Campbell is redistricted to spend her final year at another inter-city school, Jackson High. Apart from Fellow Truman Bridget, who has also been redistricted, Campbell barely knows anyone there and to make matters even worse, she soon finds out that Jackson doesn’t even have a cheerleading squad, only a resident dance crew headed by the strong-minded Danielle.

Campbell’s captaincy at Truman is eventually replaced by Eva whose mother, Campbell subsequently finds out, is on the school board that decided on her and Bridget’s move to Jackson. Outraged, Campbell decides to get back at Eva by approaching Danielle with the idea of creating a cheerleading squad at Jackson to rival Truman at the National Championships. And so the fun begins!

This highly polished production was presented by a hugely talented company of twenty-eight 16 to 21-year-olds,12 of whom played the principal roles. And whilst every single one of them on stage acted, danced and sang with equal skill and passion, there are several I must give special mention to …

As Campbell Davis, Meg Board was outstanding, her dynamic personality shining through from start to finish in her acting, vocal excellence and dance routines. Meg’s stylish performance cleverly drew us into her world as an American Cheerleader and her interaction with the other main characters was superb. She headed the company in the terrific opening number ‘What I Was Born To Do’ which set the pace for the whole show and her tear-jerking rendition of ‘One Perfect Moment’ was a highlight of the first half.

I loved Sienna-Lily O’Brien’s portrayal of Bridget. From her first entrance dressed as a parrot to her interaction with Skylar (Lara Debenham) and Kylar (Katie Watkins), from who we had two excellent performances, her comic timing was impeccable. After being asked for a date by the cute, funny and well-acted Twig (Euan Mellings) – which she initially declines but later in the piece accepts - Nautica (Sophie Bowen-Thomas) and La Clenega (Keisha Riley) jump in to boost her self-esteem in ‘It Ain’t No Thing’ which had great vocals and moves from all three of them.

Molly Switonski showed great skill in her portrayal of Eva. From her initial naivety and shyness on arrival at Truman to becoming a manipulative social climber who schemes to take over Campbell’s role at any cost, her change of character was very believable and well handled. Her rendition of ‘Killer Instinct’ in the second half was a super way to sum it all up!

I must also make mention of Tia Ageyman who gave a wonderful performance as Danielle. She had fought her way to the top at Jackson and was at first reluctant to join in with Cambell’s ideas, but having broken down the initial barriers, the two of them had become great friends and a force to be reckoned with. Tia’s superb vocals, especially those with Nautica and La Clenega, included great moves and some very strong harmonies.

The supporting cast was well led by Charlie Myatt as Randall. I especially enjoyed his rendition of ‘Enjoy The Trip’ with Campbell. Luey Pearce showed great promise in his role of Steven, Campbell’s boyfriend at Truman, and Cameron was very well played by Brandon Garner.

The stage setting for the production was basic with just two steps upstage and black side tabs right and left through which the company made their entrances and exits. The use of colourful furniture, small trucks and mobile step ladders were brought on to enhance the various scenes. The school lockers and burger bar were particularly well designed and effective.

All the costumes were perfectly in style with the red of Truman and Green of Jackson making the main characters and ensemble easy to identify. The cheerleader’s uniforms and pom-poms were particularly bright and cheerful.

Nowadays the availability of led intelligent lighting provides a huge step forward in stage presentation but only through careful and highly detailed programming can it be effective. This production was masterfully lit from start to finish and I particularly liked the four vertically mounted LED lighting panels at the back of the stage which were used to great effect in enhancing the overall picture. The sound too was of excellent quality with the backing tracks in perfect harmony with the 20 radio sets being used. They were all well controlled and I didn’t spot one missed cue!

But my final comments, and probably the most important, must go to Director, Benjamin Connor, Musical Director, Richard Aaron, and Choreographers, Lucy Alston and Frederico Bianchetti for their outstanding talent and sheer professionalism in staging this production to the absolute peak of theatrical standards. The stage direction and vocal harmonies were exceptional and the explosive choreography very cleverly included a fusion of dance styles with amazing lifts and perfectly executed and breathtaking acrobatic moves. I especially enjoyed the cheerleader routines with the free-flowing pompoms used to great effect.

To achieve what Curtain Call Studios did in just six days was simply mind-blowing! It literally did take my breath away! Again, hearty congratulations to you all!

Thank you for inviting me to your latest production and for your warm welcome. I greatly look forward to making the relatively short trip from Stone in Staffordshire to see you all again in the future.

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