Musicals of Our Time

Fareham Musical Society’s Youth Theatre is celebrating its First Birthday and, if this is an example of how far they have come in just one year, they have a very bright future ahead of them.

The show begins with an imaginative and amusing video sequence that they recorded themselves, introducing us to the first musical number: Hard Work from Fame. This sets the style for the rest of the show, using video projection to introduce each segment, avoiding the need for a compere and keeping the show moving along at a good pace. The video accompanying “Surrey With a Fringe On Top” was particularly apt; showing American countryside rushing past and the use of two of the older members of the cast as the horses was a touch of genius, typifying the top class choreography and direction at work in this show.

All too often, compilations of songs from the shows trot out the same old favourites, but Director Stuart Frank and Musical Director Fiona Morris have come up with a refreshingly interesting selection of lesser known numbers from well-known shows through the years, which were all well matched to the ages, talents and size of the cast. Choreographer (and Chairman of the group) Matt Swann, must also have worked very hard and must be congratulated on getting everyone moving so well together, especially in some of the very fast dance numbers. Then they started tap dancing and roller blading – is there nothing they can’t do?

The company, numbering forty-five and ranging in age from 6 to 16 (I’m guessing), were absolutely remarkable. Looking at their faces, you could see that absolutely everyone wanted to be part of the show and was totally engaged, enjoying every minute of it.

It would be natural to let the older members of the cast take the lead roles and, although they do in some numbers, the younger members were given their chance to shine too, with Tristan Redwood, Imogen Wallace, Nathaniel Morris, Finley Rowsell, Amelie Morris and Eleanor Wallace being particularly memorable. Amongst the older members, Grace Campbell stunned us with her beautiful rendition of “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina”; Ewan Wharton and Elliot Swann demonstrated amazing talent and assurance in everything they did; Emily Gregg performed “The Life I Never Led” from Sister Act to perfection; Cameron Hall galloped through the Major General’s song from Pirates of Penzance with consummate ease, and Freya O’Grady sent us home wanting more with her beautiful solo introduction to the finale number, ”One Voice”.

The set was ultra-simple, with some staging at the back to add height and the occasional use of props, such as school desks and chairs – all moved around efficiently by the cast and stored at the side of the stage when not in use. This was all that was needed in the fairly spacious Henry Cort Studio Theatre. Costumes were also very simple, but equally effective – mainly standard school or casual wear with a few special costumes added for effect:  for example for the witches in the song from Wicked. Lighting could perhaps have been a little less simple, to add interest to some of the scenes and focus attention on the soloists.

The Chairman’s remarks in the programme warned us to “prepare to be dazzled by the amazing talent of all the young people”, and I most certainly was dazzled by the brilliance of these young stars! What a sparkling future Fareham Musical Society has ahead of it if they all go on to join the main company. A huge “Well done” to absolutely everyone involved – you gave us a fantastic evening’s entertainment that I will remember for a long time to come.

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