Musicals Go Pop

Fresh from the success of last year’s concert/revue, Alderley and Wilmslow Musical Theatre Company are back once again with their 2022 concert/revue show ‘Musicals Go Pop’. The title says it all really; this year, the theme is pop songs within musicals and/or musical films. Taking the helm once again, is director Bradley Snelling who has undoubtedly upped the ante from 2021. A bigger venue with a much bigger production than the last. The whole thing flowed well, and this was a perfect production for each cast member to showcase their skill. I loved the lighting design which enhanced the overall visuals of each number and cohesively brought everything together. The sound quality was brilliant too – probably the best that I’ve heard in this venue, which can be very difficult to manage due to the poor acoustics. Of course, there were a few tiny opening night gremlins such as performers not hitting their mark etc but this was hardly noticed by most. I felt that there were better opportunities for staging certain numbers, but this is just a personal preference. This was particularly evident in the brilliant staging of ‘How Will I Know’ into ‘Believe’ into ‘The Winner Takes It All’ in Act two. I loved the way in which the actors’ told stories through song to convey the words and emotions. I would’ve loved to have seen more of this in Act one. I have to say though, each song flowed into the other and the cast were extremely well rehearsed in both staging and performing. I really enjoyed the way in which we were entertained in the ‘big’ numbers but equally entertained in the more acoustic ensemble numbers which were really stripped back but equally performed beautifully.

The lighting design was brilliant! I adored the use of the movers, which not only used different colours, but the laser effects and the use of moving gobo’s helped add layers to numbers. The use of the colours of the Ukraine flag in ‘Goodnight Saigon’ was a beautiful touch that didn’t go unnoticed. A huge well done to the lighting team for your hard work.

I also loved the quality of the sound. Whilst the band were quite loud, I enjoyed it as the mics were equally loud which meant that there was an abundance of sound in this venue. If I was to be very picky, I would say that the bass was a tiny bit too loud but I’m boarding on the ridiculous here!

Costumes were kept to a minimum with most of the cast performing in their “Musicals Go Pop” T-shirts. Individual soloists wore a costume with a nod to the style/genre of their particular number which helped the audience with the overall concept/feeling.

Musical Director/Arranger, Ian Jones, has done some great work with this society to introduce light and shade into the numbers. I loved the stripped back acoustic songs that showcase the brilliant harmonies, as well as some of the louder ‘bigger’ numbers. The band played brilliantly throughout, well done to Ian (and Ed Nurse, Musical Director for show week) for your hard work!

Emma Swain was the choreographer for this showcase/revue show. I have to say that whilst some of the choreography was a little more movement based, rather than dance based, it was sympathetic to the style and genre of the chosen numbers. I felt that there were more opportunities to add a pad-de-deux or dance into certain numbers to aid storytelling and add layers, but this is just a personal thought. We actually did have some added dance within a few numbers in act two which was really appreciated. I have to say that every member of the cast were very well drilled in all aspects of movement. You were definitely show ready for opening night!

As I suggested above, I preferred the songs that didn’t break the fourth wall and told a story. Whilst I missed the first three numbers due to traffic (I sincerely apologise) I’ve heard that they were brilliant! I loved Katie Fisher’s tone during ‘I Go Walking After Midnight’. She performed well and her tone really suited the song. I also really appreciated Brad Snelling’s gravelly tone for ‘Come What May’. Dave Lambert really shocked me with his style and verve with the Motown numbers. He had a lovely amount of style and suaveness that suited this section. Charlotte Jinks was able to showcase some fab vocals during her number ‘No One But You’ (We Will Rock You), but it was the whole cast numbers in Act one that really stood out.’ Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow and ‘The Sound of Silence’ were particularly performed very well. They were very stripped back so we could hear the various beautiful harmonies throughout the songs – fab!

Act two was a little stronger for me. I loved the way in which each number flowed into the other. Niamh Donnelly was brilliant with her rendition of ‘Hit Me Baby One More Time’ (great added choreography) and The Bodyguards’ ‘How Will I know’. Niamh’s vocals were stunning!

I also loved the added songs within the ‘Elephant Medley’ from Moulin Rouge. This helped bring the song up to date and showcase the brilliant vocals from both Steve Sheppard and Charlotte Jinks.  Steve’s vocal talents were showcased again in the We Will Rock You- ‘Somebody to Love’ number!

‘Goodnight Saigon’ was poignant, especially with the added Ukraine colours in the lighting, as was Lilly Smith’s version of ‘Firework’. Lilly’s storytelling and vocality were superb.

The highlight for me was Leila Vigerstaff’s version of the Abba Classic ‘The Winner Takes It All’. You could literally hear a pin drop in the audience throughout this number. Leila not only sang beautifully but told the story of the song perfectly and really brought the audience in – superb!

Overall, this production was a huge success in showcasing the obvious talent within the ranks at Alderley & Wilmslow Musical Theatre Company. It’s clear that the talent, particularly vocal talent, is there and I cannot wait to return to see this talent within a musical setting in A&WMTC’s next full musical of A Christmas Carol in November 2022. I thank A&WMTC for their wonderful hospitality (Jill Thomason-Stewart) and apologise once again for my late arrival! Well done on an entertaining night at the theatre!

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