Fatfield 75

Celebrating 75 years of a society with one of your original founder members still alive is no mean achievement. The task of directing a concert to pay tribute to such longevity was bestowed upon Laura Dollimore, with Thomas and Nicola Hindmarch as MD and choreographer respectively. Each imprinted their own ‘mark’ on a society with such a proud history, and its forebearers should have been proud of what was achieved in their name.

The content was not simply a rehash of previous productions best numbers but, in talking to the director beforehand, was a collection of production numbers allowing the society to shine, as they should on such a momentous anniversary.

Set against a backdrop of historical references and accompanying projected photos from each decade from 1950, with a selection of cast members reading the anecdotal memories out, the cast matched the mood of the era with numbers from Showboat, Sweet Charity, Hello Dolly, Calamity Jane, My Fair Lady, Kiss me Kate and South Pacific alongside classics from Mamma Mia.

Many of these numbers were ‘mash ups’ (two songs from different shows blended into one homogenous entity) and were both clever and entertaining in equal measures. Although not a mash-up, perhaps for myself the cream of the first half was Can’t help Falling in love which was sang by the whole cast with truly wonderful harmonies.
Whilst not being a G&S aficionado I was delighted to see ‘If you want to know who we are’ from Mikado given a ‘nod’ in the first Act, as this was FMSS’s first production back in 1950.

The second act followed the same theme  with numbers from Fiddler, King and I , West Side Story, Oklahoma, Whistle Down the Wind as well as newer shows such as Dear Evan Hansen and Prince of Egypt.

Keeping in the mash-up theme the highlight for me was the mash-up between Tomorrow from Annie and When you Believe from Prince of Egypt – two songs I never thought I’d hear in the same sentence but what a triumph it was.

Three youngsters of the society performed ’Pure Imagination’ from the societies next production of ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ against, once again memories in photographic projection throughout their 75 years. It was very nostalgic to have the past members images against the ‘future’ and very apt that they would be thinking with ‘pure imagination’ how the society would hopefully flourish towards its centenary.

Well done to all cast, and previous, current and founding members, for a nostalgic and well presented concert back in the venue it all started in. Well done to the production team of Laura, Thomas and Nicola for giving a dank week ‘sparkle’. Happy 75th Fatfield MSS.

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