Rock The Masquerade

This amazing production was originally conceived for the NODA North East Gala Weekend in April, but received such great feedback that RMTC and RTSA decided to give a repeat performance in their home theatre to ensure that their usual audience didn’t miss out.  The show was called “Rock the Masquerade” and the concept was to include songs from the musicals of Andrew Lloyd Webber linked together by informative introductions from the cast and the ‘idea’ that Dewey Finn from School of Rock was inviting them to ‘be in the band!’.  To enhance the production additional numbers were added for the performance at The Civic Theatre giving the show double the running time it originally had.

The stage had no flats and a simple star cloth was used, but the back of the stage was filled with an orchestra of 16 talented musicians who together played FIFTY SEVEN different instruments.  Matt Symonds, Musical Director, led the pieces which he had arranged for this production.  The tastefully dressed musicians on the blank stage was in itself impressive, particularly when they started to play the overture, but the impact of the dancers in their black and white costumes with extended capes and masks was a very dramatic start to the production which continued at this high standard.

As well as the experienced performers of RMTC the production included RTSA who opened the show and performed a selection of numbers from School of Rock and then went on to perform songs from other ALW musicals and compositions.

Dan Fenwick was excellent singing from Joseph in which he was supported by both RTSA & RMTC.  Ben Loy and Richard Morgan gave fabulous renditions of songs from Jesus Christ Superstar – both very impactive.  Ashley Booker, supported by his very own chorus line, was thoroughly entertaining both singing and dancing to ‘Herods Song’ and absolutely ‘playing up’ to the audience who loved this somewhat cheeky rendition.

With simple, yet impressive costumes the audience were taken from biblical Judea to Buenos Aires and given the opportunity to experience short bursts of Cats, Whistle Down the Wind, Tell Me on A Sunday, School of Rock and Phantom of the Opera.  As well as the impressive voices the dancing skills of the ensemble, principal performers and dance troupe were showcased with numbers choreographed by Dee Bennie-Marshall.  Dance Captain, Charlotte Wall gave an excellent solo tap number to Skimbleshanks and more treats from Cats were also in store with Sophie Parkin, Scarlet Buxton and the Dancers performing to Macavity.

The first act ended as Matt Roddis sang ‘Vaults of Heaven’ supported by the whole company which demonstrated the strength of the voices in both RTSA and RMTC.

Emily Bolton, Sophie Antcliff and Scarlet Buxton sang the Andrew Lloyd Webber ‘Love Medley’ for which band parts had been created by MD Matt.   This number was stunning and the audience struggled to believe the young age of those performing.   The show featured many brilliant soloists from RMTC including Kati Gill, Chloe Jackson, Darren Mann-Saunders, Claire Hookham Williams, Nick Walton, Emily Bolton, Sam Simmons, Sam Clarkson and the Company Executive Chair, Rachel Hirst Marshall, demonstrated her powerful singing voice in ‘Memory’ and ‘With One Look.’  Lloyd

The ‘finale’ was perfectly introduced with a beautiful duet by Kati Gill and Nick Walton who were then joined on stage by the whole cast for ‘Masquerade’.    The idea and delivery were excellent with the audience thoroughly enjoying the production.   Congratulations to Director and Choreographer Dee Bennie-Marshall and Musical Director Matt Symonds, along with the musicians and performers who did an amazing job.

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