Christmas at the Musicals

 PGS Theatre Productions (Plymouth Gilbert and Sullivan Society)                                                                                  

Sunday 15th December 2019                        

CHRISTMAS AT THE MUSICALS

What a night to travel! Thunder & lightning and heavy hailstones that looked like snow on the ground! but all was worth it because we were in for a real treat of songs from the musicals with festive songs and audience participation.

It might not have been a night to go out with the weather and all but when we got to Sparkwell Parish Hall there was a warm glow of not only being greeted warmly but the hall decked out with white net curtaining cascading from the ceiling and chairs covered with grey bows!

The set was good, along with the choir men dressed in black shirts and coloured ties along with the ladies in coloured scarfs to complement the men.

It was a strong opening from Pirates “, When the Foeman bares the steel “with David Green and the Chorus. With a good opening you

just know you’re in for a great evening!

Showboat was next up “Ol’ Man River” with Kevin Bennett, together with super harmony from the chorus!   followed by soloist Gill Regan singing “Can’t Help Lovin that Man” and it was sung with feeling. Wonderful voice!

Then a sprinkle of Christmas with “A New Year Carol” by Benjamin Britten from the full company that I hadn’t heard before ,then “Christmas Song “from Kevin Bennett that really got us in the mood for Christmas!

Kismet was next with “Stranger in Paradise” and plenty of light and shade from Sophie Procter, super!

Bianca Phillips did a great job with “Baubles, Bangles”

White Christmas sung by Peter Clement and Chorus and Sussex Carol From the Full Company was executed beautifully.

Then we were treated to Mary Poppins with “Anything can happen”, Isla Ellis and Chorus, lovely!

“Feed the birds” sung well from Isla Ellis, Karen Rocky and Chorus.

“Let’s go fly a kite “Sam Wilson And Chorus with the ladies reaching the high notes with ease!

Back to Christmas! with “I saw a Maiden” not often heard these days it was nice to hear. And you cannot beat a good old sing song

from Choir with audience participation in “Good King Wenceslas” that closed the first part of the concert

Second half opened again with The Pirates of Penzance “Cat Like Tread “an equally strong opening to the first half! And, very

  Importantly, Kevin Bennett has what it takes to sing it! Backed up by the talented chorus! Gill Regan sang “Holy Night “and sang it well with the rich voice she has! Sam Wilson nearly stole the show with “Bring him Home” from Le Misérables Just a joy to listen to and if it doesn’t touch your heart strings, nothing will! Gabriel’s Message “with the full company again in fine voice! Next “My Fair Lady “Wouldn’t it be lovely” Bianca Phillips as Eliza with super harmony from the chorus! “The Ascot Gavotte” was beautifully clipped, just sung as it should be! Peter Clements sang “I’m getting married in the morning” belted it out with ease and had the audience clapping in time. He gave it is all, Superb! 

“The Marriage of Figaro” “Sull’aria “with Sophie Procter and Bianca Phillips who made a super duo with this song.

Back to Christmas once more with “Winter Wonderland” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen “the former sung by the ladies sextet truly lovely to listen to and God rest Full company and Audience!

To end the show was the Finale Act from Pirates of Penzance as the company are performing this next March (that I am looking forward to seeing!) the full company did themselves proud. They sang it with true feeling, and they left the audience shouting for more!

Paul Foster MD along with pianist Laura Fox can be justly proud of a job well done! The weather! who cared I was singing the songs all the way home. Thank you to PGS on a super night of sheer enjoyment and we won a raffle prize to boot!!

Graham Liverton

Regional Councillor NODA Southwest

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