Musical Dreams an evening of songs from the Musicals

Musical Dreams a revue presented by Wigan Musical Theatre Group at St Michael’s Parish Hall, Shaw Street, Wigan on Wednesday, 26th April, 2023.  

Directed by: Ian Hollis.
Musical Director: Joan Bond.

Described as “An evening of songs from the Musicals”. This was a very cleverly constructed programme of songs covering a period from the forties to the present day. As the lights faded the curtains opened to revel a disciplined choir singing songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s… “Joseph”.  Quickly followed by two songs from Annie… “Tomorrow” and “Never Fully Dressed”. I have to say the stage did light up in every sense of the word and people were performing as well as they were singing.  I can’t recall seeing so many people on such a small stage being so imaginatively moved. A constant pattern through the whole show. A positive triumph for the director / choreographer. I don’t know how long you all had to rehearse, but the voices producing that beautiful harmony in “Tomorrow”, could only have belonged to people who didn’t take a night off. Definitely a musical director with a sensitive touch and an ear for every note.

The company where really at home performing with feeling and energy in Oliver. Christine Armstrong sang “As Long as He Needs Me”, with genuine feeling for every word, followed again by lovely harmonies in “Who Will Buy”.  It was lovely to hear music from the forties and fifties, “Windy City” & “Black Hills of Dakota” again with lovely harmony and a tune the younger person I was with, (my daughter) really loved. “Anything You Can Do”, Christine Armstrong & John Clinton managed to create character and comic timing in the piece. “People Will Say We Are in Love”, with two operatic voices, Maria Rignall & Clive Green. An energetic “Oklahoma” with controlled voices, ended the first half.

The second half opened with a bright, Sound of music medley by the full company. Sofie, Clare, Kristina, Maria & Keely brought “Edelweiss" to life. “So Long Farewell”, imaginatively ended the Sound of Music Medley.  Gwen Charnock and Maria Rignall, have such lovely voices and performed songs from the “King and I”, with a professional easy manner. It was lovely to hear music from “Meet Me In Saint Louis”, a musical bringing happy memories to a large proportion of the audience. Sandy Kershaw & Clive Green, you captured the feel of the characters and era.

Finally, “Les Misérables”, effective, red lighting framed perfectly the black & red costumes, truly stunning; whoever had the imagination to design that deserves credit! “At the End of the Day, was sung by the company with conviction and clear diction. Maria Rignall, “I Dreamed a Dream” was sung with clarity and a lovely ethereal quality. “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables”, a beautiful cry from the heart by Marius in Les Miz, difficult because of the range from A – G, well done John Clinton. “Do You Hear the People Sing”, sung at, I think 168 bpm rather than the usual 84 bpm, finished the show to well deserved, enthusiastic applause.

The ensemble where totally focussed and engaged, you should all be really pleased ‘I can only say how good that looked to the audience’. I could only see stand microphones, everyone seemed at ease without trying to swallow a microphone and projected consistently to the back of the hall with ease. Like the audience, we were treated to a lovely night of real theatre. The three people in the orchestra pit …  Joan Bond (MD/Keyboards), Nick Woods (Percussion) and Kevin Bates (Bass Guitar) somehow manged to sound like more… they perfectly and sensitively accompanied the singers rather than, in some cases these days, compete!

Finally, I would like to thank you for the warm and homely welcome on arrival and the incredible cake in the interval. I did notice that as patrons were arriving and almost family atmosphere greeted them, it was indeed lovely to meet you all.

Stay safe and keep well….
“Stronger Together”

David Davies
On behalf of...

Jim Briscoe
NODA North West
District 6 Rep

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