Celebrate – 125th Anniversary Concert

It was an absolute pleasure to be invited to join the members of Sunderland Theatre Company celebrate their 125th anniversary. In recognition of this special anniversary the company combined there quasquicentennial anniversary with Armistice Day marking 100 years since the end of the First World War. The production team did a sterling job in ensuring that the whole production had that professional feel, under the direction of Brian Leach he ensured that the programme of music covered the whole era of the company’s existence and I was impressed with the range of songs chosen covering some of the musicals performed by the Company, Brian ensured that the production maintained the quality that has come to be expected of Sunderland Theatre Company and the quality of the production was evident from the opening number. Helen Wilson did an exceptional job as choreographer the movements and routines were well choreographed given the limited stage space and it was great to see that every member of the group looked comfortable and confident with the routines regardless of their ability, it was also good to see Helen take to the stage and perform some beautiful dances both as a solo performance and also performing to some of the musical numbers with the cast. The quality of singing was outstanding thanks to Suzanne Richardson the Musical Director and it was apparent from the quality of the singing that Suzanne had been working with the group as the harmonies were excellent and well rehearsed and delivery was clear and strong. The production team worked wonders to transform Deptford and Millfield Community Centre into a venue to showcase their concert, the stage looked very classical with the stage and flats dressed in black with silver stars this was complemented with the cast all dressed in black with the use of different accessories for each section of the programme giving a professional visual appearance to the production.

This “Celebrate” concert contained five sections showcasing 47 musical numbers, starting with Gilbert and Sullivan and music up to 1930’s, for the first number the whole company took to the stage to perform their signature number “Hail Poetry” from Pirates of Penzance first performed by the Company in 1894, beautifully delivered with exceptional harmonies, Cara Fowler, Gemma Fowler and Lois Smith sang “3 Little Maids” from their 1897 production of The Mikado this was followed by the Company singing Dance of the Cachuca from their 1898 production of The Gondollers again fantastic delivery of harmonies, Brian Leach delivered a sterling performance of The Desert Song” from their 1958 production of the same name this was followed by Barbara Simpson who sang the beautiful number “Villia” for the 1963 performance of the Merry Widow a stand out performance beautifully delivered, next it was time for the male chorus to shine and deliver their raucous  performance of the musical number “The Drink Song” from 1959 show The Student Prince. Gabriella Smith and the female chorus delivered “Life Upon The Wicked Stage” a beautiful well delivered number from their 1949 musical Show Boat, Gemma Smith and the female chorus give a great rendition of “Blow Gabriel Blow” from their 1999 performance of Anything Goes which was well delivered and I particularly enjoyed the dance routine. Daniel Drydon led the cast to end this section with “Lambeth Walk” from their 2006 performance of Me and My Girl.

The next section covered three decades the 40’s 50’s and 60’s starting with a polished performance from Linda Fowler and Derek Crooks singing “Anything Goes” from their 1996 show Annie Get Your Gun, Samantha Kennedy delivered a smouldering performance of “Too Darn Hot” from 1980 show Kiss Me Kate, there followed three numbers from the iconic musical Guys and Dolls performed in 2011, commencing with Aaron Hastings, Derek Crooks and Jason Waldock who delivered a fantastic performance with great vocals of the song “Fugue For Tin Horn”, a stand out performance from the men with the title song “Guys and Dolls” and finally the female chorus delivered a lovely performance of “Bushel And A Peck” great timing and lovely choreography. Aaron Hastings delivered a lovely solo “Strangers in Paradise” from their 1974 performance of Kismet, Margaret Sherrington delivered a beautiful performance of “Till There Was Me”  supported by Helen Wilson who accompanied Margaret with a beautiful Lyrical dance from their 1995 musical The Music Man, Derek Crooks delivered a great character performance and solo supported by the cast with the “Im Getting Married” from their 1982 and 2001 performance of My Fair Lady, Great performance from the whole cast who delivered “Put On Your Sunday Clothes” from 1981 performance of Hello Dolly, two numbers from 1994 and 2004 production of Oliver starting with Samantha Kennedy and cast  delivering a boisterous performance of “Oom Pah Pah” followed by the ladies delivering a stunning performance of  “As Long As He Needs Me” ending this section was Helen Wilson who performed a striking dance routine to “The Frug” from the 1989 performance of Sweet Charity.

The final section in the Act one was dedicated to Roger and Hammerstein starting with the company delivering “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from their 1986 and 2008 Carousel a beautiful performed number opening this section, 1985 and 1927 saw the Company perform South Pacific and to celebrate the ladies performed the musical number “I’m Gonna Wash that man right out of my Hair” not to outshine the ladies the male chorus sang “Nothing like a Dame” a strong performance I loved to hear the tenor line coming through,  2007 saw the Company showcase the beautiful musical The King and I, taking to the stage was Brian Leach, Cara and Gemma Fowler and Jason Waldock who delivered an outstanding performance of the musical number “Something Wonderful” and for me that’s exactly how this was delivered, beautifully performed, ending the first act was the title song from their 1969 and 2000 performance of Oklahoma a great chorus performance and perfect ending to act one.

Act 2 opened with the theme music from 1970’s and onwards,  the first two numbers were from the musical Chicago, Gabriella and Lois Smith, Molly Stobbs and Samantha Kennedy performed a beautifully choreographed dance routine to the musical number “Hot Honey Rag” which was followed by Brian Leach, Derek Crook and Jason Waldock with the cast singing “Both Reach For The Gun” this was well performed and sang especially by Brian and I loved Derek’s performance as the reporter Mary Sunshine, two musical numbers from one of my favourites musical Evita followed first premiered by  the Company at the Sunderland Empire in 2002 Jason Waldock delivered a strong and confident performance of the number "High Flying Adored" followed by Cara Fowler performed  “Another Suitcase” with Brian Leach, Daniel Dryden and Aaron Hastings, raising the roof with Molly Stobbs singing “Lady marmalade from the 2017 showcase of Boogie Nights. 2018 brought the group moving back to perform at the Royalty Theatre to perform Fame The Musical, Aaron Hastings and Samantha Kennedy sang the beautiful number “Bring on Tomorrow” followed by the powerful vocal number “There She Goes” delivered beautifully by Gabriella Smith, Daniel Dryden delivered a stand out and emotional performance of “You Walk With Me” from The Full Monty, a colourful and vocally strong performance from Lois Smith with the musical number “Just Arrived” from 2009 musical Copacabana, 2010 showcased the musical The Likes Of Us, Linda Fowler supported by the cast sang “Another Cup Of Tea” great delivery ending the section the cast sang and danced “500 Miles” from the 2016 musical Sunshine on Leith.

The final section brought the cast together in commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of World War 1, the stage was transformed with the back cloth of the union Jack which was followed by the bugle playing “The Last Post” this was followed by a minutes silence, Barbara Simpson took to the stage to deliver a fantastic rendition of  “Keep The Home Fires Burning” certainly an audience pleaser, which was followed by Brian Leach singing the beautiful number “Only Remembered”  joined by the male cast wearing union Jack bow ties visually this number looked beautiful with the cascading poppies gave  this number a sentimental effect, very moving. The full company then sang a medley of war songs including “Pack up your Troubles”, “It’s a Long Way To Tipperary and the emotional patriotic hymn “I Vow To Thee My Country” this brought a lump to my throat as the audience waved their flags and joined in to this beautifully delivered hymn reflecting the pride of Britain, Barbara Simpson dressed as Britannia accompanied by the cast delivered a classical rendition of “Rule Britannia” followed by the female cast leading “ Land Of Hope And Glory” accompanied by Helen Wilson with a beautiful choreographed dance using coloured ribbons of the union Jack, ending the concert was the beautiful musical number “Jerusalem” followed by a standing ovation and the National Anthem.

This was an action packed concert with an extremely thought out  programme, there were some beautiful tones and harmonies delivered by some very talent performers well done to everyone at Sunderland Theatre Company on your quasquicentennial anniversary and  thank you for the hospitality from your front of house Staff.

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