Dare To Dream JR

Dare To Dream JR was a completely new revue to me so I was able to watch with a very new set of eyes when The Drama Dept performed it. It was a very simple, mobile set consisting of a platform step ladder, two full height screens on wheels holding whiteboards whiteboards, single colour multi sized balloons in a balloon garland in four contrasting colours  were strung across the ceiling and different coloured uplighters were used in an impressive expressive lighting plot. There were also a few large cubes for cast members to sit on to add height and interest to the space. Sound wasn`t great,  there were a lot of people in the audience absorbing the sound and some of the youth cast members weren`t able to project as much as others. This sort of production and the way it was staged - body mics couldn`t be used because trying to get the balance right between mic and no mic would be a logistical nightmare so I completely understand the directors decisions here. The sound for the music was a good level and the projection from the older cast members was good.

Sienna Taylor and James Glithero took the leads, they showed some great stage skills with really making a strong connection with the audience from the very start – it will have been particularly difficult for all the cast because the audience members were so close, they both used their stage space well both individually and jointly, they had that Disneyesque glamour and sparkle about them like an aura. They kept great pace and delivered some strong vocals within their characterisations. I really enjoyed Ava O`Conner`s rendition of “I Just Can`t Wait To Be King”, she gave a very full and physical performance . “You`ve Got A Friend In Me” performed by Harry O`Conner and Izzy McConnell stood out because it felt real and true – not just performed, the choreography felt delightfully natural and unscripted. Sienna Acton performed “Go The Distance” and again it felt as if it came from all the hearts in the cast – everyone on the stage was completely engaged in the moment. There was a real sense of family within the cast with the older one`s holding and steadying props for the younger one`s, making sure everyone got down the steps of the step ladder prop safely.

The lighting really enhanced this performance, it was all very soft and positive and warm, no harsh cold strong blues or whites, no fierce red instead we got gentle yellow and soft purple, flirty pinks – the lighting plot had been very carefully matched with the songs in the revue.

Thank you for inviting me to your performance. I look forward to seeing you all again soon.

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