Meaningful Melodies

MEANINGFUL MELODIES... a concert performed by Orrell Musical & Dramatic Society at St. John’s Primary School, Church Street, Pemberton on Friday, 30th January 2026.

In Orrell’s programme, the concert was sub-titled an ‘Evening of Musical Theatre Magic’ and without doubt it was!  What I always like about Orrell’s concert’s is that they never stick to the ‘norm’ ... they include songs from musicals that aren’t necessarily on everyone’s radar and tonight was no different.

Production Team...   leading us on this ‘adventure into musical theatre’ was the experienced and talented Linda Scott (Musical Director) with Choreography by Natasha Ralston and Steph Stevens. Whenever, wherever Orrell do a concert, they do it their way, and if I’m honest, I really do like their way!  You can always tell that a great deal of thought as gone into the selection of the music and songs, they ‘stick their necks out’ and that’s a real plus for me! This concert had four medleys, from four amazing shows... West Side Story, Miss Saigon, Phantom and Hamilton, all performed really well. What always amazes me, is Linda’s ability to link medley songs seamlessly together...  there are no obvious pauses in the music to suggest that one song has finished and another started... congrats Linda, amazing! Choreography from Natasha and Steph was simple yet effective. With limited space ... any choreo had to be such that it fitted that space, which must have been a challenge in itself ... be proud you two, good job!  PS: is there anyone that smiles as much as Natasha ... her jaw must have ached at the end, but when I got a chance to speak with her, post-show, she still had this huge smile on her face!

The Cast ... included the following...  Alex King, Amber Lowe, Andrew Southern, Carol Waring, Claire Kirk, Corrina Connor, Elaine Eccles, Emily Reeder, Janet Malone, Jean Budworth, Jannine Paize, Jerome Antony Pargetor, Jonathan Fearnley, Jude Asbridge,
Kate Bradbury, Lily McGunigle, Liz Schofield, Natasha Ralston, Peter Carletti, Sammie-Rose Thomas, Sarah Farley, Steph Stevens, Stephen Southern, Steven Ascroft, Rachel McGunigle.
The Concert was produced in two Acts...
Act 1 ... included
i) ‘Medley’ from West Side Story. 
ii) ‘Belle’ from Beauty and the Beast
iii) ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ ... a Simon & Garfunkel classic
iv) ‘Rhythm of Life’ ... from Sweet Charity
v) ‘New Money’ ... from The Great Gatsby
vi) ‘When I Grow Up’ ... from Matilda
vii) ‘Revolting Children’ ... from Matilda
viii) ‘Summertime’ ... from Porgy & Bess
ix) ‘Medley’ from Miss Saigon

Act 2 ... included
i) ‘Medley’ from Phantom of the Opera
ii) ‘If I Were a Rich Man’ – from Fiddler on the Roof
iii) ‘Wait for Me’ (Reprise) – from Hadestown
iv) ‘I Will Survive’ - from Priscilla Queen of the Desert
v) ‘Sherry Baby’ ... from Jersey Boys another classic
vi) ‘He’s a Pirate’ from the film, Pirates of the Caribbean
vii) ‘We Both Reached for the Gun’ from Chicago
viii) ‘You Can’t Stop the Beat’ from Hairspray
xi)  ‘Medley’ from Hamilton
xii) ‘One More Day’ from Les Misérables

So, as most will know, this is where I usually select MY favourites, but this was a very different concert, where people would just appear toward the front and centre of the stage and sing part of a verse/a chorus/ a song and then disappear back into the ensemble to be replaced by a second singer or two... so to start and say someone sang better than someone else is difficult, isn’t easy, but I am going to select MY favourite song ... one from each Act plus MY favourite medley....
So MY favourites were  ...
i) Favourite from Act 1 - ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’, a classic from the American Rock Duo - Simon and Garfunkel. Released in 1970, a favourite of mine way back then.  A beautiful interpretation of this song, loved the interchange of voices and the harmonies... possibly favourite of the night!

ii) Favourite from Act 2 ... had to be ‘Sherry Baby’ sung by Jerome Antony Pargetor. Wow, what a rendition, powerful, those ‘high pitched notes’ were relentless... another classic

iii) Favourite Medley ... probably Miss Saigon, but they were all very good.  Loved the way this medley ended. Some beautiful vocals throughout, as there were in most of the medley numbers!

As previously suggested, there wasn’t many full songs sung by soloists, that’s what made this concert different!  But I think it would be remiss of me not to make special mention about a few soloists, who, when called upon, impressed a great deal! They include Jerome Antony Pargetor, Jude Asbridge, Stephen Ascroft and Alex King... outstanding vocals... be proud you four, be proud everyone!

The Band... led by Linda Scott (MD and Piano) accompanied by Nick Woods (Drums). There were amazing arrangements of classic songs. The medley arrangements were special, but nothing more than I wouldn’t expect here at Orrell. Wonderful harmonies are always a feature of any concert here at Orrell....  congrats Linda, Nick wonderful support!

Tech/Staging... we did have a few issues due to a biggish cast on a small stage, many with music stands. With just one access/exit point, the movement of cast and stands did affect the flow of the concert. We also had a little trouble at the start, with the stage mikes; fortunately, that did get sorted quickly. The above did affect the concert a little, but it didn’t spoil the evening and if the applause during and at the finale was anything to go by, this was a concert enjoyed by an almost full house!

At the end of the concert, whilst I was chatting with officials and cast members, I was approached by longtime member of Orrell MDS, Ray Sims. Our conversation, at the start, did shock me a little when he suggested that he “hadn’t enjoyed the concert”, that was until he explained, that, due to his health, he nor his wife Mildred had been able to rehearse or be on stage with their longtime friends and society members!  Ray, Mildred on behalf of myself, everyone connected with NODA and I would suggest every member of our District 6 family, when I say we’re all thinking of you and hoping and praying for some positive outcomes and a speedy recovery. This theatre business, being on stage with friends, family and other society members isn’t just about outcomes or awards, it’s about friendships made that can last a lifetime, being part of something that we think is ‘special’ and when it’s taken away from us ... the results can be devastating. So, as I say in all my Show Reports...
“STAY SAFE, KEEP WELL” ... we really are “STRONGER TOGETHER”!  Get well soon Ray, in my prayers!

Thanks once again for inviting my wife and I to your concert... already looking forward to ... ‘We Will Rock You’.

Stay Safe, Keep Well
Stronger Together
Jim Briscoe
NODA NW District 6 Rep

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