Mad About Musicals

Author: Bruce Wyatt

Information

Date
16th June 2022
Society
Pershore Operatic & Dramatic Society (PODS)
Venue
No. 8 Pershore
Type of Production
Concert
Director
Judy Megarry
Musical Director
Andrew Hemming
Choreographers
Loren Howland, Victoria Annis, Vicky Shone, Ness Haller
Choreographers
Lucy Miller, Cat Reeves, Charlie Roberts, Felicity Aston, Judy Megarry

Over a 12-month period, under the overall direction of Judy Megarry, PODS brought together 45 players, as many if not more behind the scenes and over 30 musical numbers in an extravaganza  of musical entertainment. So many and varied numbers it is impossible to mention every one of them here, but it’s easy to say there wasn’t a weak link between them.

After Steve Miller set the scene with  ‘Pure Imagination’ from ‘Charlie & the Chocolate Factory’ the first rousing company number of ‘Opening Up’ from ‘Waitress’ gave us an idea of what to expect from the rest of the programme. Most of the programme was ‘full on’ up tempo with some welcome more gentler moments like the atmospheric ‘Tell Me It’s Not true’ from ‘Blood Brothers’ which was followed by a slick ‘A Musical’ sung by Steve, Paul Tapley and Company. Cat Reeves gave it all in a convincing ‘All That Jazz’ from ‘Chicago’ and ‘Seasons of Love’ was a great number too. I enjoyed David Hemming’s ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ with some beautiful dancing from Vicky Shone and George Organ. ‘All I care about is Love’ gave the ladies an opportunity to show off some fabulous costumes, referring to which were all of a very high standard throughout, with many impressive individual costumes included.

Suzie Tapley provided several impressive numbers including ’With You’ beautifully sung with great feeling; Tessa Sheehy equally impressed leading the Company with ‘Blow, Gabriel Blow’ from ‘Anything Goes’ and superbly with ‘I am Telling You’ from ‘Dream Girls’ in Act 2. ‘Ex Wives;’ from ‘Six’ was a great production number with some powerful performances. Act 1 closed with an even bigger, albeit lengthy, full company well-dressed production number of ‘One’ from ‘A Chorus Line’ together with a clever matching visual on the backcloth.

But many of these high points were exceeded in Act 2 with a sequence of outstanding numbers; ‘You will be Found’ with some beautiful harmonies, ‘Phantom of the Opera’ sung superbly by  Briony Stevens and Paul Tapley with just the right amount of atmospheric dry ice, ‘Jersey Boys Medley’, ‘When you’re good to Mama’ led with power by Lindsey Kirby, ‘You’ll be Back’ from ‘Hamilton’ led with great stage presence by Paul Tapley and a great company number ‘We Will Rock You Medley’,  ‘Stars’ from ‘Les Miserables’, sung by David Hemming, James Megarry, Andrew Hemming, Paul Tapley and Steve Miller and perhaps the most outstanding of all, a ‘Les Miserable Medley’ before some slick company bows, receiving rapturous and deserved applause.

There was a huge range of well-rehearsed dancing understandably shared by no less than 8 choreographers. Sound was clear, including a supportive and unobtrusive band, some great lighting effects all set against a simple and effective set. As many patrons were heard to say, -Wow!

 

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