LET ME BE YOUR STAR

A cocktail of Musical Theatre was a good choice for the company to celebrate 40 years. 

The programme was well balanced and the first Act included items from Chicago, Shrek Hairspray and Wicked. There is a lot of talent in this group, with each member having the opportunity to demonstrate his or her talent in this disciplined production. There was plenty to entertain in the second Act with The Lion King, Sister Act, and a big finale with Les Miserables. The overture, led by the dancers, made the audience ‘sit up and take note’.

Katie Deyes who has a wealth of talent in all aspects of musical theatre, certainly immersed herself in every task and led the Company in true professional manner in many of the numbers including Chicago’s ‘All That Jazz’ and Wicked’s ‘One Short Day’. Katie wowed everyone with the song everyone wants to sing at the moment Frozen’s  ‘Let It Go’. Rhianna Goodwin shone in Shrek’s ‘I know It’s Today’ and Matilda’s ‘Naughty’, together with a more poignant Young Cosette with her ‘Castle On A Cloud’ from Les Miserables. I loved  Chris Baglin’s interpretation of Miss Trunchball in the ‘Smell of Rebellion’ from  Matilda. Chris, together with Sally Bumford had the audience in the palms of their hands with their comedy rendition of ‘Song That Goes Like This’ from Spamalot, and they revelled in their roles of the Thernadiers in Les Miserables ‘Master of the House’      

Carl Jones showed versatility as Billy Flynn in Chicago’s ‘Razzle Dazzle’ and Legally Blonde’s ‘Serious’, together with a superb Donkey in Shrek’s ‘Don’t Let Me Go’

Space prevents me from mentioning everyone but Alice Birthwright portraying ‘Galinda’ in the selection from Wicked and Charlotte Manifold as ‘Belle’ from Beauty and The Beast, carried off their numbers with aplomb, together with Finn Hibbert’s excellent contribution of ‘Where Is Love’ from Oliver. Beautiful dancing from Lucy McLaren with Dreamgirls ‘One Night Only’.

The production was of a very high standard, pacey throughout without any hitches, with well rehearsed chorus numbers, and innovative dance routines beautifully executed which thrilled the audience from start to finish. The company oozed energy and excitement which came over the footlights, thus culminating in a very successful celebration of musical theatre.

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