Godspell

This was a modern setting for this timeless musical based on the Gospel according to St. Matthew. It was very well directed by Richard Poynton who brought a freshness to the stories.

It is an exhausting performance for the major principals who are never off the stage throughout the performance. They were well led by Simon Docherty (John the Baptist/Judas) and Paul Bickerton (Jesus).

Simon got the evening off to an excellent start leading the cast in ‘Prepare Ye, The Way of the Lord’. Paul followed this up with ‘God Save the People’ and I also enjoyed his rendering of ‘All for the Best’.

There are so many well known songs in this musical and all of them demand a strong performance and we certainly got that with Anita Hughes9Day by Day), Learn Your Lessons Well(Megan Hardy), Ruth Harvey(Bless the Lord), Chris Room(All Good Gifts) and Paul Bailey(Light of the World). This was only Act 1.

Jayne Ison got Act 2 off to a flying start with ‘Turn Back, O Man’. The duet ‘By My Side’ was superbly presented by Katy Ball and Lucy Curtis-Prior with their voices blending perfectly. The last big number, We Beseech Thee, was led very effectively by Ian Shephard before the mood changed with some well balanced harmony singing from Dan Hardy, Molly Hughes and Lauren Malbon-Sharratt in ‘On the Willows’. The final soloist was Melissa Emery. Although I have picked out the major numbers the cast kept singing lines in many songs and there were some superb characterisations throughout and plenty of humour particularly from Chris and Nick Room.

The choreography was slick and well executed with some inspired staging. The singing from principals and the company was strong and well supported by an excellent orchestra.

Well done to everyone involved!

 

 

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