1st February 2025
Titles - Annual Concert
Whitehaven Theatre of Youth, Solway Hall Whitehaven
Choreographer: Gary Jones McCaw and Jenny Savill
What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. This showcase really portrayed all the positives of working with young people. Act 1 called “Lights, Camera, Action” had a mixture of drama, music and dancing from the Junior and Senior groups who attend Mossley AODs every week at their workshops. The tutors who teach these groups (Lee Brennan, Billy Pretsell, Mark Frost, Jenny Savill and Gary Jones McCaw) and their assistants should be very proud (and I know they are) of their protégés. Act 1 had songs from Matilda, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Shrek, Les Miserables, Hairspray, Summer Holiday and Moulin Rouge. A packed show nicely put together with drama pieces which were fun to watch whilst giving the performers chance to grow in confidence as each had the spotlight. The final Moulin Rouge songs were lovely with Millie Cunliffe’s beautiful ballet to “One Day I’ll Fly Away” with her 3 little ballerinas( Abi Sharpe, Olivia Payne & Katy Lee Hollis) following her moves (well nearly) who were adorable. The “Can Can” looked stunning and to get all the performers on for “Rhythm of the Night” worked really well to end Act 1. Act 2 called “Next Please” gave each of the Advanced Musical Theatre Group a chance to shine as they performed individual songs and dances in a show similar to A Chorus Line. Abey Bradbury performed “Am I My Resume” and “Alto’s Lament”. The songs are a complete contrast to each other and both were acted and sung beautifully. Thomas Davidson did a great job on “I Can Do That”, tapping and signing with gusto whilst Millie Cunliffe sang “Life I Never Led” from Sister Act with a lovely tone and great storytelling skills. Molly France performed “Mama Who Bore Me” from Spring Awakening with a sweet voice and stunning emotional acting. I love this song and this was one of the many high lights of the afternoon. Katherine Farrow did a great job on “I Can’t Do It Alone” from Chicago combining great dance moves with faultless singing and Melissa Saxon sang lead on “Positive” with the Company and the voices blended tremendously well. “Forget About The Boy” by Sophie Thompson was again wonderfully performed with great vocals and dance moves and this young lady certainly knows how to hold an audience. Eleanor Reynolds did a fabulous job vocally on “Nothing” and certainly acted the part. Mary Platts sang and danced “Big Time” with a maturity well beyond her years with great vocals and dance moves. “What I did for Love” had lovely harmonies and “One Singular Sensation” ended the show with stunning dance moves drilled to perfection. This showcase was wonderful to watch and listen to and groups like this give me hope that the future of Amateur Dramatics are in safe hands. This group are a beacon of talent but clearly the tutors work hard to bring them through the ranks. Well done to everyone involved with this production which made me laugh, cry, smile and feel very proud that I currently represent this society.© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.