Rodgers & Hammerstein & Beyond

Staged in Dewsbury Minster this concert consisted of a first half of music from Rogers & Hammerstein musicals which as the Director/Musical Director (Rachel Warlop) informed us in her introduction were at the start of musical theatre as we know it. She told us the history of how they were linked to real events.

It opened  with an Oklahoma Medley Harry McCormack singing Oh What A Beautiful Morning a very confident, young singer with a beautiful voice. Followed by the Ensemble with Oklahoma and Mr Snow featuring Hayley Metcalfe & Emily Balmforth.

Two songs from Carousel June is Busting Out All Over (Ensemble) and You’ll Never Walk Alone (Rachel Warlop), two from The King & I Getting to Know You (Sarah Tolson & Ensemble) and Something Wonderful powerfully sung by Pam Jagger.

Next The Sound of Music. A wonderful rendition of Morning Hymn by the Ladies of the Society, Confidence (Jodie Allen) and the title song by the Ladies. The men then dressed in sailor hats gave us an amusing There is Nothing Like A Dame,  the Ladies Washed That Man and the Men closed the first half with Some Enchanted Evening.

The second half brought us up to date with music from recent shows Opening up (Amy Sherry & Ensemble) & Used to Be Mine(Hayley Jordan) from Waitress, Me and the Sky (Natalie Jackson) from Come From Away. Little People from Les Miserable sung by impressively by two young members of the Society (Felicity and Gabrielle) brought a huge reaction from the audience. I’d Give My Life for You from Miss Saigon(Jane Ellaway), Quiet Uptown from Hamilton (Philip Clayton) Life I Never Led from Sister Act (Emily Balmforth)

From the very popular Six Amy Sherry, Cadee Hawkins, Emily Balmforth, Hale Jordan, Jodie Allen and Natalie Jackson. You Will be Found from Dear Evan Hansen (Danny Brooks & Ensemble ) and The Finale Climb Every Mountain brought the evening to a close.

The show had movement throughout which made the show good to watch choreographed by members of the ensemble. The Sound by Elliot Warlop was just right and the fact that there were screens at each side of the Minster meant everyone had a view. This Society has a wonderful cast of singers and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening as did the audience shown by the standing ovation at the end.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.