Encore Celebrating 50 Years

It was my absolute pleasure to deputise for Paul Douglass at yesterday’s concert performed by Trinity Players. Their warm welcome and coffee and cake made my miserable journey on a very wet and windy Sunday afternoon all the more worthwhile. The house was packed which was lovely to see and I was fortunate to sit with lovely people who could fill in some of the gaps for my report, so many thanks to them too.

The concert was ‘compared’ by Paul Wescott who, rather than doing the traditional introduction to the upcoming numbers, gave a potted history of Trinity Players with the added information on the innovations that the 50 years has seen, not to mention the fashion trends which had some of us squirming! It was so interesting to hear how similar many societies are of that era, Trinity started like so many others, by performing Trial by Jury, the short Gilbert and Sullivan light opera, (My own first production on the school stage too) through many trends culminating with their next musical production of Disney’s ’Beauty and the Beast’. It’s a huge testament to Trinity that they have moved with the times and give their audiences what they want. The choice of songs for the concert was a small selection from the shows they have performed during the 50 years.

There were 15 Trinity members performing,made up of 4 men and 11 women, all of whom contributed to a fabulous afternoon’s entertainment. It was wonderful to see them books down, word perfect and performing every number, not just singing them. The characterisation by individuals throughout removed that element of ‘it only being a concert’ and transported me to the musicals themselves, a lot of thought had obviously gone into how the numbers would be produced, and it really worked.

The opening number set the tone with their clear diction and pronunciation, starting the afternoon with‘There’s no business, like show business’. Lisa Cooper and Rick Jones then sped their way through ‘Anything you can do; I can do better’ with lots of humour and musicality. Paul Wescott returned to the stage as Curly McLain for hisrendition of ‘Oh what a beautiful morning’ and something tells me it wasn’t his first rodeo! It was obviously a particular favourite, or that’s how it came across. He definitely sang the role well.

The tempo wanedfor the beautiful ‘Secret Love’ from Sammi Kelly-Griggs who, in my opinion, put her own interpretation into her delivery. It was very gentle but with the right amount of force in the louder section. Next on the programme was ‘Ole Man River’ and it’s not a particular favourite of mine, until Peter Bushby started singing… Oh, my goodness, he brought a tear to my eye. His depiction was so moving and although I was surprised at Peter’s musical range, he mastered this number superbly.

Clair Tregellis and Di Mannion dressed for the roles of Florence and Svetlanain Chess to sing the lovely duet ‘I know him so well’, which was a nice touch and added to their performance, which I really enjoyed. Dan Barnes gave a belting performance of ‘Anthem’ and I mean this in the nicest possible way; he gave me tingles; it was so beautiful and emotional. The next chess number came from Charlotte Askew and Ladies. It was ‘Nobody’s side’ which, I’m ashamed to say, I really don’t know. What a hard song! Charlotte and the ladies did an excellent job and I really enjoyed the harmonies.

Rick Jones came back to perform ’Some Enchanted Evening’ from South Pacific and I have to say, I was captivated by his easy and somewhat crooner style of delivery. Lovely.

Rachel Tucker’svoice became Eliza Dolittle for ‘Wouldn’t it be Lovely’ and it was exactly that. And then Dan Barnes restored my love of ‘On the Street where I Live’ which I have unfortunately heard massacred on too many occasions. Dan took on the role and it was perfect.

Talking of characterisation, Lisa Cooper was Miss Hannigan! What a great performance! Her rendition of ‘Little Girls’ with the aid of her bottle of ‘gin’ was fabulous.

Bexs Perry broke our hearts with her emotional ‘As long as he needs me’ from Oliver! Bexs sang it as if she felt every nuanceand emotion.

The roller coaster of Act 1 came to a stop with Leigh-Ann James and Paul Wescott performing ‘Friendship’ from Anything Goes. They came across as well matched and comfortable in the roles, having great balance.

I really didn’t intend to write about each song but I couldn’t not, so on to Act 2…

The opening number of Guys and Dolls from the show of the same name was a perfect way to show of the 4 men on stage and they looked as if they were having a ball. Bexs Perry and Sasha Barnes added to the fun with ‘Marry the Man Today’.Sasha was one of several of the cast struggling with a sore throat and she gave no indication of her discomfort;the ladies were fab.

We moved onto the more modern musical, ‘Hairspray’ and enter Sammi Kelly-Griggs, Charlotte Askew and Rachel Tucker. Brilliant harmonies and a great fun performance from the 3 ladies. But, oh my goodness another tear jerker, this time from Leigh-Ann James who was phenomenal as Motormouth Maybelle singing ‘I know where I’ve been’. It was brilliant.

The Sound of Music numbers lifted the mood on one hand when some of the ladies sang Maria, nicely shared out and with faultless timing and musicality. On the other hand Pam Massey gave me another lump in my throat when she sang ‘Climb every Mountain’. it gets me every time and Pam’s version was just as moving.

‘Sunrise Sunset’ from Fiddler on the Roof led by Peter Bushby and Rachel Tucker kept the reflective mood going and was so lovely with the gentle harmonies giving a deeper dimension. Di Mannion sang ‘You’ll never walk  Alone’ from Carousel and although it was an abridged version, gave it her all.

Leigh-Ann James and Sasha Barnes stepped into the shoes of Anita and Maria from West Side Story and oh boy, what characterisation from these two ladies. They sang ‘A Boy like that I have a Love’ in perfect Latino mode with passion and pathos in equal measure. A perfect combination.

Sammi Kelly-Griggs has the perfect voice for modern musicals and her rendition of ‘Forever’ from Shrek showed just what a power house she is. Fabulous! Same goes for Dan Barnes whose Shrek accent was spot on whilst performing ‘Who I’d Be’ joined by Bexs Parry and Peter Bushby to complete the number brilliantly.

No concert is complete without the romantic duo and this was provided by Sasha and Dan Barnes singing ‘someday’ from The Hunchback of Notre Dame. It was simply beautiful and could only have been bettered if they had stood closer, not a criticism - just an observation.

The finale was a taste of what is to come- Beauty and the Beast from Trinity Players next musical show. It was a fabulous ending to a fabulous concert. Thank you so much for your generous invitation and very warm reception. I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon spent in your company. Congratulations to all involved; the musical and stage direction was very impressive.

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