Celebrate! 25 Years of Ragamuffins

With a cast of 47 youngsters (aged 6 to 13 years), 3 musicians, 8 members of the production team and a host of backstage helpers this was a truly epic way to celebrate the 25 years (+2 due to the pandemic) of the group which, like topsy, has grown and grown over the years from it’s humble beginnings of a group of friends working with just 12 children. The programme consisted of 36 musical numbers taken from previous shows and revues including Annie Get Your Gun, Oliver!, Bugsy Malone, Annie, Grease, Joseph & the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Wizard of Oz, Calamity Jane, Cats, Matilda and High School Musical. In a show such as this there are so many highlights. The company numbers were full of energy - from the opening There’s No Business Like Show Business/Another Opening Another Show Medley to the rousing Act One closing Joseph Megamix to the rousing finale of We’re All In This Together and the all singing and dancing encore of Greased Lightning. A special mention must be made of Jill Runcie’s choreography for The Jellicle Ball where the whole company were on stage – how there were no collisions is a testament to her craft. Another nice moment was when the company were standing still singing “When I Grow Up” from Matilda images of previous members when they were in the company and as they are now were projected on to the back of the stage. There were some outstanding solos including for me Megan MacMillan’s rendition of “As Long As He Needs Me”, Murray Meldrum’s “Sandy” and Ellie Stewart’s “Hopelessly Devoted to You”. Also a delightful arrangement of “Memory” by Izzy McRae, Aimey Scott, Celia Ray, Payton Greig and Megan MacMillan. A lot of hard work had obviously been put in by the production team and cast to bring about 2 hours of excellent singing and dancing and, going by the audience reaction and prolonged applause at the end of the show, it was much appreciated. Congratulations on the past 25 years and here’s to the next 25!

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