CLOSER THAN EVER

BRISTOL MUSICAL COMEDY CLUB

CLOSER THAN EVER Music by David Shire, Lyrics by Richard Maltby JR

As seen by Debi Weaver (NODA South-west District 13/16) on Friday 27th October 2023 at St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School, Bristol.

DIRECTOR: David Baxter

MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Claire Alsop

CHOREOGRAPHERS: Emily Weaver and David Baxter.

Closer Than ever is a musical revue composed by David Shire, with lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr. The show features a collection of songs and vignettes that explore the various facets of human relationships. Each song is a self-contained story, offering a snapshot of various characters' lives and the challenges they face and explores the universal themes of love, friendship, ambition, and the pursuit of happiness. It is written and usually performed with just 4 characters and the BMCC Creative Team expanded this for an ensemble cast of 24, which worked so well, and gave everyone an opportunity to shine.

The show begins with the number “Doors” Traditionally this show uses doors as both a physical and symbolic element/theme to move between songs. For this production the performance was set mainly within a train carriage/on a station platform, which enabled a link between the performances. This worked well more with some numbers than others. The main performance area was a thrust stage extending with the audience on 3 sides. The orchestra was elevated high above the 2 entrances for the cast, with a ladder used on occasion for some numbers to be performed at height. The narrow staging area I imagine made choreography a challenge, this was managed so well, and was very effective. The cast moved staging blocks around to change the settings as needed, this was well rehearsed and cleanly done, moving the action on. Lighting was atmospheric and worked well. Sound was well balanced generally, there were occasional moments where some of the more speech quality moments in songs were more difficult to hear. Costumes were appropriate, some of that 80’s fitness wear bought back memories!

This was very much an ensemble piece, and everyone had clear well-rounded characters which worked very well. I can’t possibly mention everyone individually, but I will, however, just pick out a few of my favourite highlights “There’s Nothing Like It” and “Miss Byrd” made me laugh out loud. “Life Story” and “Father of Fathers” also a highlight for me. 

Congratulations to all involved on a very enjoyable evening.

PLEASE NOTE:

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance, and it is inevitable that his assessment will be effected by that knowledge.

The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular the performance viewed.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances, and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.

It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

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