Musical Through the Ages

Musicals Through the Decades

Driffield Musical Theatre

 

Producer & Music Holly Rebecca , Choreographer Chloe Ellis

Driffield Methodist Hall

27th June 2026

 

There is always something special about visiting a Driffield Musical Theatre production, and Musicals Through the Decades was no exception. From the moment audiences arrived, they were greeted by the society's welcoming front of house team, whose warm hospitality immediately set the tone for the evening. Despite the exceptionally warm weather, it was clear that every effort had been made to ensure the audience remained as comfortable as possible in this intimate and charming venue.

Produced and musically directed by Holly Rebecca, with choreography by Chloe Ellis, Musicals Through the Decades was exactly what the title promised – an entertaining journey through musical theatre history, featuring songs spanning many decades and styles. Holding everything together was the ever-entertaining Paul Thompson, whose witty and engaging compering kept the audience smiling between numbers.

Although the cast consisted of just seven performers, this has to be one of the strongest vocal performances I have heard from Driffield Musical Theatre. Knowing that the entire production had been rehearsed in just seven weeks made the achievement even more impressive.

The show maintained an excellent pace throughout, with slick transitions aided by a simple set that relied on carefully chosen props to enhance each performance rather than distract from it. It allowed the focus to remain exactly where it should be – on the talented cast. The concert opened fittingly with Another Op'nin', Another Show, providing an energetic start before Lee Wilson and Paul Thompson delighted the audience with a wonderfully comic rendition of Brush Up Your Shakespeare. Their chemistry on stage was evident, with excellent comic timing throughout.

One of the standout features of the evening was the quality of the harmonies. The cast blended beautifully, showcasing not only individual talent but also their ability to work as a true ensemble. Highlights included Holly Rebecca and Chloe Ellis performing You Love Who You Love, the full company's moving rendition of Seasons of Love, and Linda Wilson and Jenny Townsend's goosebump-inducing performance of I Know Him So Well.

The strength of the ensemble was also demonstrated in the many duets and group numbers. No one voice overpowered another, and every performer supported each other brilliantly. This was particularly evident in Twin Soliloquies, performed by Paul Thompson and Lynne Barber, and the wonderfully entertaining Marmalade from Paddington, sung by Lee Wilson and Holly Rebecca with the rest of the cast providing chorus support.

Lee Wilson delivered a beautifully heartfelt rendition of Only You from Cinderella, performing with genuine emotion and sensitivity.

Act Two opened memorably with One Night in Bangkok, featuring the full company. Excellent staging, energetic choreography and yet another impressive vocal performance made it an immediate audience favourite.

Chloe Ellis gave a beautifully innocent performance of Castle on a Cloud. While perhaps not one of the better-known songs from Les Misérables, she captured its simplicity and emotion perfectly.

Another memorable addition to the programme came with Chloe Ellis and her two Collies, Olaf and Sven, performing a delightful heelwork to music routine. Live animals can always bring an element of unpredictability, and although everything didn't quite go to plan, it only added to the charm of the performance. Chloe handled every moment with professionalism and good humour, while Olaf and Sven continued enthusiastically throughout, earning warm appreciation from the audience. It was a refreshing and unique inclusion that showcased another side of Chloe's talents and added an extra layer of variety to an already entertaining evening.

Holly Rebecca proved herself to be an absolute powerhouse vocalist with an outstanding performance of Me and the Sky, delivering the song with conviction and confidence.

Linda Wilson brought plenty of energy and fun to Magic to Do, while Jenny Townsend gave a touching performance of Where Did the Rock Go?, engaging naturally with the audience and making the number feel especially personal.

To round off the evening, the cast performed a live-band version of School of Rock, with several cast members playing instruments alongside technical team member Sam Campbell on guitar. It provided a thrilling burst of energy before the inevitable crowd-pleaser, Time Warp, brought the audience to a jubilant close.

However, for me, the performance of the night came at the end of Act One with Will I. The repetitive lines created an almost hypnotic atmosphere, building into an incredibly moving and emotionally charged performance that was genuinely mesmerising. It was undoubtedly the standout musical moment of the entire production.

Overall, Musicals Through the Decades demonstrated exactly why Driffield Musical Theatre continues to be such a valued local company. Despite its small cast, the society delivered a polished, engaging and vocally outstanding production. The chemistry between the performers, the strength of the ensemble singing and the sheer enjoyment evident on stage made for an uplifting evening of musical theatre.

Driffield Musical Theatre may be a small company, but they are undoubtedly a little pocket rocket of musical theatre talent, and this production proved that impressive things really do come in small packages.

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.