Our Essential Musicals

Choreographer: Jo Dewberry

This was a showcase of musical items in celebration of CAODS' sixty years providing entertainment in Lincoln. The compere, David Bussey, was a noted presenter on Radio Lincolnshire for many years. His contribution was interesting , informative and light-heartedly amusing. I had anticipated the programme would consist wholly of songs from shows staged by CAODS over the past sixty years. I estimate that less than a third fell into this category. The people taking part had been asked to suggest numbers that meant a lot to them personally. This list included old favourites like Oklahoma, Carousel and Oliver, but went on with Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, Spamalot and La Cage Aux Folles., to name but a few. The four piece band accompanied well, but occasionally was a tad over-loud. The stage management, along with good lighting ensured the continuity was smooth. The costumes were discreet, smart, amusing, glamorous or casual to suit the mood of the moment. Certainly there was something in this wide-ranging programme to appeal to everyone in the audience. My favourites were Mike Follen and the Company singing 'Oklahoma'; Connah Lilleyman's rendition of 'Bring Him Home' from Les Mis; Marea Reid and Kate Fenn's 'Flower Duet' [Lakme] and Ben Poole's mesmeric 'If I Could Love Her' from Beauty and the Beast. A most enjoyable evening. Congratulations.

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