Opening Night

Opening Night is a concert of songs from Blockbuster Musicals not performed  by Walmsley Church AODS.

Walking into the Parish Hall, seating is relaxed cabaret style with rich red cloths on the tables and lights. To Stage Right was an armchair with screen behind and red cloth draped on the screen. Small table to the right with candle. The stage was a series of block creating levels and the sides covered in a cream glittery material. Long silver strips of silver material dramatically hung down at the back which was effective when various lights in different colours were projected onto them. Set Construction John West and Dave McGreavy. Lighting was cleverly used throughout. Lighting by Norman Bowers and Sound unobtrusive as should be by Lea Royse and Elodie Perrier.  With nearly 40 people on stage, the movement was thoughtfully worked out. Choreographer was Lara Syddall and additional Choreography by Adrienne Wormald who was also Musical Director for the show. The harmonies were lovely as was the evening itself, making sure people got a chance to shine.

Steve Benson was the Director and we were given information and titbits about each section by Mike Taylor the Host. The stage was used well and the levels helped and worked. The theme of black, red and silver outfits was very striking and added glitz to the whole evening with the men in black tie and suits. A cohesive and tight production.

The show opened with a joyous number Opening Night from The Producers leading in to We Can Do It from the same production which featured Adam Manning and Callum Burton bringing the comedy and making good use of the stage. Lauren and Company gave us a lovely version of Journey To The Past from Anastasia. We were then treated to You’ll Be In My Heart from Tarzan by the Ladies chorus.

The next section was from Hairspray - great harmonies from Ave Deveney, Louise Gaffney and Steevie-Leigh Crossley singing Mama, I’m A Big Girl Now and then more comedy from Joe Davies and Julie Ogden giving us Timeless To Me.

A highlight for me was Eileen Reeves singing Love Never Dies from the eponymous musical by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. Mesmerising to watch. The Company ended that section with Til I Hear You Sing. The next section featured Chicago and Mike Taylor surprised us taking centre stage with a great version of Mr Cellophane and no, you didn’t take up too much of our time! Act One finished with songs from Les Mis’ as only the Youth are allowed to do this - it was lovely to hear the mature voices. Kiersten Keogh and Adam Manning looked like they enjoyed getting stuck into the Thenardiers, having fun with the words. Empty Chairs at Empty Tables and One Day More really pulled out the emotions and the male chorus impressed.

Act Two opened with a Motown Medley which was certainly foot tapping, each singer taking a turn to lead a song and have fun with it - another joyous moment and Cole, you got soul, Cole Howard!

The next section was from The Witches of Eastwick - Lindsay Farnworth, Steevie-Leigh Crossley and Adrienne Wormald giving us the conjuring of their dream man in Make Him Mine. The Ladies chorus reply to the trio with Dirty Laundry. Julie Ogden and Company then give us a song from Children of Eden and Adam Manning, Steve Benson and company sing A Musical from Something Rotten having fun and bringing the energy. Heather Hughes takes on I Feel Pretty with the Ladies chorus all giving a jubilant performance. Opening Night finished with a fitting Tonight from Westside Story.

I’ve said a few times and don’t mind saying again - it was a joyous evening and the audience lapped it up. All the solos were great and Louise Gaffney bring out the goosebumps and showing us why she won Best Vocal in D5.  Lovely to see new faces and everyone contributing to the evening. Thank you for the invite and hospitality from my guest Ursula and I. Thank you to the Front of House team, especially Barbara Martin.

Liz Hume-Dawson

District Rep 5

 

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