Now That's What I Call Wymsical

Wymsical’s latest production was a selection of songs with some dialogue from 5 musicals, “Carousel”, “Wicked”, “Les Miserables”, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and “42nd Street.”, giving ample opportunity for the whole company to excel in song and dance. Throughout there were some very impressive singers leading the numbers as well as many individuals supporting them which makes it impossible to mention everyone, all supported by an excellent band of 6 musicians located at the rear of the stage.

‘If I Loved you’ sung by Sam Nield (Billy) and Jess Young (Julie) was sensitive and moving, Lydia Dimmock (Netty) sang ‘June ‘ with the company with a mature stage presence, whilst  Megan Jones as Carrie, gave a sweet rendition of ‘Mr Snow Reprise’.  Sam Nield returned with his excellent ‘Soliloquy’ expressing every emotion of a father to be and Jess Young’s ‘What’s the use of wondering’ was captivating.

For ‘Wicked’ we were served a great helping of ‘Loathing’, sung with great strength by Ellie Morris (Elphaba) and Sylvie Symons (Galinda), who between them gave us , ‘I’m not that girl’, poised and controlled and ‘Popular’ with great expression. The company gave it everything with ‘One Short day’ and ‘Defying Gravity’ led by Ellie Morris was nothing short of sensational.

‘Les Miserables’ closed the first act, again with one song after another hitting all the right notes. I looked at every individual in ‘At the end of the day’ and they were all engaged, Neave Lawson-Dallow beautifully acted whilst singing ‘I dreamed a dream’, ‘Master of the House’ could have been written for Isaac McManus as ‘Monsieur Thenardier’ and Lydia Dimmock had brilliant expression with ‘On My Own’. Lexi Ford spoke up very well during ‘The Beggars’ and Lucy Tyrell led ‘Drink with me’ in fine style.

After the interval, at the centre of the action with ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’, were Caractacus Potts played by Clara Davies and Truly Scrumptious played beautifully by Sylvie Symons.  After a great opening number by the company (‘Toot Sweet’) Clara’s Hushabye Mountain’ was very good indeed, Pippa Bond (Jeremy Potts) and Georgie Levine (Jemima Potts) gave a lovely version of ‘Truly Scrumptious’ and ‘Teamwork’ led by Clara was an absolute delight. Some of the action also centred around the car which looked great and must have represented a great deal of work, but it was well worth it.

The final section upped the tempo again with a selection from 42nd St. As we hoped for, the opening tap number was fantastic and I was particularly impressed with the dialogue by Linus Hughes as ‘Julian Marsh’ – a great actor in the making.  Kaitlyn Norwood as Dorothy Brock gave it all the right style in ‘Shadow Waltz’ and Lucy Allsop led ‘Go Into Your Dance’ with some very nifty tap. Beth Lawson excelled as Annie in ‘Shuffle Off To Buffalo’ and Ellie Morris returned to absolutely nail Peggy Sawyer in the final number ‘42nd St.’.

In the 6 years I have followed Wymsical, I was reminded of the outstanding concert in July 2019 (G&S and Lin-Manuel Miranda) and this came close to if not matching the depth of talent I witnessed then and congratulate Producer Pamela Watkins and all others involved in the production team, who had worked so hard to bring this special concert to the stage.

 

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