Celebrate the Season

Once again WMTC presented their annual feast of musical entertainment at the Swan Theatre to a rousing first night reception. Although the overall production was led by the very capable Val Knight there were no less than 10 others involved in creating nine individual sections within the concert, each section as good as the last, as the show progressed.

Along the way we were superbly entertained by the Harlequin Stage School, from the majestic and moving story sequence entitled ‘Up’ Cross my heart for the life we love’, to ‘Dancing on your Tippy Toes’ with kicks and flicks that even Craig Revel Horwood could not criticise. Once again we had the pleasure of the youngsters from Claines CE Primary School and Wilden All saints CE School, who had been rehearsing since February adding an extra depth to the entertainment with the Company in an atmospheric section ‘The Ovalteenies’ set in the 1940s, accompanied by some interesting slides side stage and another section set in the 1980s ‘Our House’, when the youngsters also really impressed.

Between the sections, Brian Ellison provided some great links as compere, not least when he sang ‘I’ll see you in my dreams’ on Ukulele and later on guitar, with a beautiful medley sang by Jacque Cook.

Cath Skyrme provided two slots of humour, the first ‘Could it be Magic’, Tommy Cooper style and in Act 2, as Santa in ‘Seasons Greetings’ with the obligatory sing a long, well presented and in the face of some audience banter, very well handled!

Full on company energy was sustained throughout Act 2, opening with ‘Movie Musicals’ and some great unaccompanied singing and I particularly liked the male ensemble singing in the section ‘Soul Train’ when the company were very well drilled with great spatial awareness. The section ‘Copacabana’ was spectacular with the girls in fabulous dresses and followed in great style by the Harlequin Stage School with ‘La Di Da Carnival.

It certainly was ‘Beginning to look a lot like Christmas’ in the final section, lavishly dressed and beautifully presented. The costumes throughout were in fact excellent, well fitted and smart. The hard work from the band, set, lighting and sound crews all enhanced the on stage performances and all are to be congratulated on an excellent evening’s entertainment, whilst raising funds for two local charities.

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