Memories

Ferryhill Stage Society presented “Memories” as their latest production. This was a very moving celebratory production and featured in the first half a cavalcade of song and readings from the First World War. The mood in the second half changed culminating into a further cavalcade of songs from some of the greatest musicals from the golden age to the present day, Directed by Ken Simmons, Maureen Golightly and Andrea Robinson with Musical Director Meg Childs and Assistant Director John Childs.

This very adventurous programme started with a full chorus number “The Soldiers in the Park” setting the scene for the remainder of the evening with plenty of audience participation singing-along to some of the most popular war time songs, held together by the talented compere, Malcolm Frank. There was an excellent duet performed by Michael Coulson and Rosemary Jones singing “If You Were the Only Girl in the World” and Sharon Chkaiben led the chorus with “Goodbyee” followed by Sheila Spooner singing a lovely rendition of “I’ll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time”. For me the most moving number in the first half came from Deborah Wilson, who, with her beautiful top soprano voice, gave us a fabulous rendition of “Roses of Picardy”. The first cavalcade of 17 songs was interspersed with some very moving poems and extracts of readings from those brave and respected men who fought for their King and Country, and during these readings you could hear a pin drop, especially when the bugle played before the full chorus sang “Abide With Me” and “There’ll Always Be an England”

The second cavalcade brought some very talented children on stage, and continuing in the same theme of the war years, their numbers started with “Red, White and Blue” which was followed by six further songs before the closing the first half with “Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye”.

The second half opened with “Happy Talk”, followed by a cavalcade of music numbers from the golden age of musicals. The male chorus, Michael Coulson, Robert Leigh, David Stothard and Ken Simmons gave us a strong performance from the show, “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”, “Bless your Beautiful Hide”, followed by Elsie McGowan and the chorus giving us a fabulous rendition of “Secret Love” from “Calamity Jane”.  Maureen Golighty and Jean Weeks gave us a very entertaining interpretation of “We’re a Couple of Swells”, and Andrea Robinson sang the all time classic “As Long As He Needs Me”. Rosemary Jones, David Stothard and the chorus gave us the title song from “Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang”, followed by Michael Coulson and the chorus singing “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”. Tegan Walmsley and Meg Gibson, from the children, joined the adult chorus for “The Ugly Duckling” ending with “After the Ball Is Over”.

The next cavalcade brought back the children who started their set with “Be Our Guest”, then there was a well-choreographed routine with “Fat Sam’s Grand Slam” and Michael Coulson joined the children to sing “Any Dream Will Do”.

The final cavalcade brought us up to date with songs from some of the new musicals including “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”, Elsie McGowan and the chorus with “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and a fabulous chorus number from “Rent”, “Seasons of Love”, as well as “The Winner Takes It All” from “Mamma Mia” and “Empty Chairs and Empty Tables” from “Les Miserables”. Deborah Wilson received a rapturous applause for her number “Love Never Dies” before the evening ended in a full chorus number “Wherever You Are” originally performed by the Military Wives, and a fitting ending to a wonderful show. 

The set was simple but tastefully decorated, and there were some good choreographed pieces to support the numbers. Without exception the whole cast worked together to ensure that they delivered a remarkable and enjoyable performance. Well done to everyone at Ferryhill Stage Society on an excellent performance.

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