Encore

 

This was my first visit to Whitkirk Arts Guild, a truly community based theatre group based in the Leeds suburbs. When I was invited to stand-in for Christine Castle, I’ll be honest I didn’t have particularly high expectations but I was so very wrong – Whitkirk proved that you don’t need to perform in one of the large theatres in the region in order to provide high quality musical entertainment. They were that good that I suggested they might want to do the cabaret at Bridlington.

Whitkirk’s venue is closing for refurbishment in June and they needed to do a show that they could put together in a few months. So, they asked the membership to come up with their favourite musical numbers from previous productions – “Encore” was the end product. This being the case, I must congratulate the Members on their choice of songs – this was an original and innovative collection that didn’t rely on tried and tested favourites. (Les Mis, anybody?) Instead we were treated to songs from Grease 2 (YES, Grease 2), Shrek, Working Girl, Sister Act, Pitch Perfect, Chess and much, much more.

It wasn’t just the choice of songs that made this cabaret so original, it was the interpretation of many of the songs – an acapella version of Teenage Dirtbag, by Wheatus, an original arrangement of Jerusalem from Calendar Girls, an incredible fast paced, cup tapping, hand clapping close harmony acapella version of When I’m Gone from Pitch Perfect and a signed version of When I Grow Up from Matilda. 

Apologies for not mentioning any names but the programme didn’t list who was doing what, which I guess is how it should be when the entire company work together as they did. But, a special mention to a few – the 2 “naughty” ladies who sang Grandma’s Song, from Billy Elliot, the men (yes, there was more than one who could sing & move) who moved us with Where I Want to Be, from Chess and Once We Were Kings, from Billy Elliot and the various ladies who performed I Know It’s Today, from Shrek, Adele’s Skyfall from the Bond film and The Rose, from the film of the same name. 

Congratulations to the Director/Choreographer, Charlotte Jackson, and the Musical Director, Louise Norbury-Robinson, who decided to give birth 3 weeks before the show, for putting together this show full of soaring harmonies. The movement was simple but effective and precise. Also huge congratulations to the stage manager, Andrew Thomson, and his lighting and sound team of Adam Moore and Ian Thomson for providing an environment that enhanced the on stage performance.

I cant wait to see what else this Society can do and I will be back to see the pantomime in their newly refurbished premises.

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