Come Fly With Me

A very well produced and thought out programme inviting the audience to fly with COS Airways.

Two Acts, the first Departures, the Second Act Arrivals, and with commentary (unseen) from the Captain and Cabin Crew which was effective and amusing but no names credited in the programme ?

A few technical problems with images on the backcloth in Act 1, but resolved in Act 11 with appropriate scenes depicting the venues of various songs.

A much smaller company than usual for this production which is a regular with Colchester Operatic at this time of the year, with just fifteen members on stage.

 It was however an excellent production with some really tight harmony singing coming through in all the company numbers.

The ladies were beautifully balanced with some firm alto lines coming over which was most enjoyable.

The four gentlemen coped very well and gave depth to the overall balance.It would have been good to have had just a few more gents but the quality was there and well done to Rikki,Peter,Colin and Russell for all their efforts.

In Act 1 some notable performances from the ladies in “Leaving on a Jet Plane” with Fiona Bocking,Katie Cutmore,Caroline Fritz,Claire Jones and Angela Rankin, and“Bei Mir Bist Du Schon” with Katie Leech,Amanda Powell and Sarah White.

“Ireland” was so beautifully sung with great feeling from Katie, and “On my Way”from Katie,Sarah Miles,Angela,Sarah White and Russell Windsor also I thought very well presented.

 I could really mention most of the musical numbers as all were so enjoyable in Act 1.

In Act 11.”On a Little Street in Singapore”with Fiona,Katie,Hayley Gladwell and Claire was so well balanced and lovely to listen to,and some great humour in the programme from Rikki Hammond with “Arabian Nights”.Rikki has a big voice range,especially in his lower bass, and it was a fun number.

“Africa” with the company was superb, as was Fiona’s rendition of “You Belong to Me”.Well sung, and I heard every word which for me is so important and gives so much more enjoyment to the audience.

The two songs opening Act 11 from “Miss Saigon” were well known numbers and the company looked very bright and colourful.

“Welcome to Havana” with Amanda Powell was delightful,It was vibrant and just took off from the start, the audience obviously loved it.Well done Amanda!

 I felt that Act 11 needed another comedy number to lighten up the programme, but all in all it was very well done from a small but “perfectly formed” cast. Well done to you all!

A special thanks to Gabriella as Director who directed the company so well overall, and Hector as Musical Director and accompanist for the show with huge support throughout with his sensitive playing.

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