Showcase 2014

I would hesitate to ever use the word ‘Concert’ to describe Showcase’s annual extravaganza at the Church Hill Theatre to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. Showcase  manage to pool the talents of many of the best amateur performers, singers and dancers in the Edinburgh area. Providentially, they also have some of the very best production team in the area .

The evening was a wonderfully diverse mixture of themed medleys, specially arranged by David McFarlane from film and show tunes plus rock and modern music which involved some spectacular solo performances well supported by a very strong chorus of singers and dancers, clever lighting and creative costumes. So many highlights! “This is the Moment” (Ibiyemi Osinaike) sent my spine tingling and “Let It Go” (Jen McIntosh looking stunning in her white dress) was a big hit with the audience. For one who is old enough to have adored the Otis Redding original, I really loved the singing and orchestrations of “Try a Little Tenderness”. “Should Have Been Loved” from Sunshine on Leith was great fun -  I really think this song works better in the show than in the film and the fabulously sung (and lit) Act One finale (Stairway to Heaven) sent everyone off to the bar singing. Act Two’s “Matilda” medley was equally enjoyed by both the audience and the cast who had a ball letting their wicked childhood inner selves out! Tanya Williamson’s “My House” was simply beautiful.

Some of the loudest cheers of the night were for the cleverly costumed Disney section and the chorus singing in Buddy Holly’s “It doesn’t Matter Anymore” but this year’s inspired finale finished with the Labi Siffre  anthem “So Strong”, sung most movingly by Ibiyemi Osinaike and the chorus. I felt like I was in Soweto. Well done Showcase – your standing ovation was well deserved.

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