Lights, Camera, Broadway!

A good concert is always a pleasure and this one was unusual, as it took place in a beautiful old church, which has served the community for over a thousand years. The proceedings featured selections from a wide range of popular shows and a surprise or two, to me at any rate.  The Company consisted of 13 members of Ponteland Repertory Society, 6 decked out in smart dinner suits, 7 in evening wear, all of whom took part in the opening, sprightly medley from Hairspray.

Following on, we enjoyed a number (unfamiliar to me) from Frozen sung nicely in duet by Kieran Murray and Suzie Neve.  Then, a little touch of Sinatra from Jason Long with Fly Me To the Moon.  Next, we headed West (with a brief side trip to Bavaria) for I Cain’t Say No from Oklahoma performed amusingly by Sarah Blythe followed by four numbers from Calamity Jane – The Black Hills of Dakota (Chorus), The Deadwood Stage (Hayley Grant), Higher Than a Hawk (Alexander Finlayson-Heap) and Secret Love (Deborah Barry).  Interpolated between the two westerns was an impressive solo from Brian Barry who reminded us where we were with a profound version of I’ll Walk With God from The Student Prince.  Following the Oklahoma section. Suzie returned to sing another song unfamiliar to me, They Just Keep Moving The Line from Smash before Lizzie Browell rose to the showstopper which is Don’t Cry For me Agentina (Evita), followed by the full Chorus closing the first half with a rousing version of The Rhythm of Life from Sweet Charity.

The full Chorus also opened the second half tunefully with a medley from Phantom of the Opera followed by two numbers from Guys and Dolls, Adelaide’s Lament (an amusing Lizzie) and More I Cannot Wish You (Keiran).  There followed a definite change of pace with Richard Dodds performing a chucklesome Geordie song/recitation, The Whippet, from Sunderland songwriter, Eric Boswell.  Then, back to  show tunes with Deborah performing the delightful Bali H’ai from South Pacific followed by Sister Suffragette (Mary Poppins film) and Supercalifragilistic (film and show) from Hayley, Sarah and Jason.  Suzie then performed Tell Me On A Sunday which led into a trio of songs from Little Shop of Horrors, Dentist (Philip Browell, Hayley, Sarah and Lizzie), Suddenly Seymour (Philip and Ruth Browell) and Somewhere That’s Green (Lizzie).  Then it was time for the finale, a medley from The Producers from the full ensemble (with an amusing cameo from Philip on Haben Sie Gehort).  You can’t go wrong with a Mel Brooks finale!

I know this Report is pretty much a list of musical numbers and performers, for which I apologise.  I just wanted everyone to get a credit for what was a most enjoyable evening’s entertainment, during which all concerned did exactly what was required of them, especially Amy Baker who conducted and accompanied solo throughout. 

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