From Stage to Screen

From stage to screen, EBOS’s latest musical revue at their own intimate Pinewood Theatre is like one of those sampler records that showcase a mix of songs from twenty-two musicals from the 1951 Rodgers and Hammerstein hit, The King and I to the 2017 Tom McRae show Everybody talking about Jamie and might have been called “Now that’s what I call … musical theatre 22 “. It is an interesting and varied selection of songs which showcase the talents of the fourteen singers. By using some of the less well-known songs from the shows it makes you long to see those shows again and hear the tunes in their full production context. 

The best numbers work because the choreography or a simple prop or piece of furniture help put the theatre and drama into the music and the talented singers get a chance to develop the character or interact with the other cast members or the props to help sell the song and engage the audiences. Many of the songs have a romantic or sexy feel, others are tinged with regret or sadness, but the real show highlights are created when the cast get a chance to add a little humour to their performances as in It takes two and You’re timeless to me from Hairspray and A Little Priest from Sweeney Todd . Equally there are effective surprises with a male voice leading off When I grow up from Matilda or a  female voice delivering Sweet Transvestite from Rocky Horror Picture Show . 

The real joy of the format is that everyone gets two or three songs in the spotlight and old and new members to the society get equal billing and demonstrate that the society has strength in depth to support future shows. The simple staging and dashes of red in the costumes add to the enjoyment of this fast-paced show which was well sung throughout.

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