If We Only Had...

It must be very hard to come up with ideas for themes for variety shows and this is a particularly clever one. Why not look at all the shows and songs we could do “If we only had” a particular quality, such as “Youth on our side” or “The Nerve”? Who cares if you’re far too old to be singing “Revolting Children”, it’s a great song, why should the kids have all the fun!

A lot of groups must wish “If we only had” six Directors! But PTG has been able to field six well-qualified ladies who each directed one of the sections of the show, imbuing it with their flair and personality so that the flavour of the show changed as it progressed.

After the opening number and between each section, two cast members (different each time) introduced the next part of the show. They used a nicely relaxed, conversational style to explain what attribute the company would need to perform the next four songs. The numbers chosen to illustrate the themes tended to be some of the lesser-known numbers that were refreshing to hear, along with some good old favourites too.

The whole show was performed on the floor of the theatre (the stage is undergoing a revamp) with no scenery, just chairs on each side which were used by the cast members when not performing. It was perfect, and meant fast changeovers between numbers, making the show nice and pacey. Costumes too were very simple, mostly the performers' own clothes I suspect, with only one or two specialised items. Even so, everything looked just right, not least because of very effective and clever lighting, designed by Ian Pratt. Sound too was perfect, as we’ve come to expect from Tom Davison of Trained Ears. The balance between the soundtracks and the voices was spot on.

Actually, there didn’t seem to be any qualities lacking in this group. Everyone on stage demonstrated top notch abilities in singing and dancing, and almost everyone seemed to be involved in every number. What a feat of learning that must have been! And what a test of Choreographer Beth Rubens’ inventiveness and the cast’s ability to execute all the routines. They weren’t too complicated, but not bland, and the cast performed them with great energy, precision and pizazz.

I won’t mention individuals because this was the ultimate ensemble show, but could I pick a favourite item? That’s very difficult. There was such a variety of styles, and I loved every number - I even found myself liking “Room Where It Happens” from Hamilton (a show that I loathe). “Six!” of course, because I adore the show and it was performed here to perfection. “Anything You Can Do” was hammed up nicely, “You’re the Top” was a great exposition of one of Cole Porter’s interminable ‘list’ songs, and “Something’s Coming” was sublime. “Sunday” – a typically difficult Sondheim sing – was performed beautifully and the static setting was absolutely the right treatment. If you really twist my arm, I’ll admit that “Flash Bang Wallop” was my favourite – so many verses, so much going on, such great singing and lots of laughs too. A good one to end on.

It seems rather contradictory that a show about all the things the group can’t do only serves to highlight just how well they can do just about anything! It was a real showcase for this group’s talents and an extremely enjoyable and entertaining evening. Thank you to all the talented Directors and the fantastic cast – you did an amazing job.

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