So That’s What We Call Musicals

It was one year (almost to the day) since Evesham Operatic and Dramatic Society presented their last songs from shows production ‘Once Upon A Song’ prior to their award-winning musical ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ later in the year.

It may be believed putting on a production of songs from shows is easy – nothing could be further from the truth. The production team must start from a blank piece of paper. The question is therefore what to include as well as what not to include.

The selection of shows was narrowed down to some of the most well-known musicals of our current time as well as a few favourites from recent years and a couple from lesser known musicals such as Pippin and Waitress (currently on in the West End). The programme opened on a massive number and of course ended in a similar vein with ‘You Can Stop the Beat’ from Hairspray.

A show such as a compilation of songs needs several ingredients to make it work and this production managed to tick the box in many of these. The main requirement is to provide slick and quality entertainment, and this was achieved.  The pace was good, moving swiftly on from one piece to the next. The programme needed to be well coordinated as many of the cast appeared in numerous numbers. The performance needed to have variety, therefore a mixture of solos, duets and big company numbers. Having too many of any of the above could result in an unbalanced show – this production was well balanced regarding these. It contained numbers requiring little movement to those with significant choreography, again creating a variety for the audience.

With a cast of so many it can be unfair to mention individual performances. Many in the cast were heavily involved in one number and then in the chorus of the next. There was a good use of limited props to help with the setting such as a microphone for Evita and suggestions of costumes for others. The opening of act two was powerful, including excellent interpretations from ‘We will Rock You’ including ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’.  The highlight of the evening for me was ‘Raise You Up’ from ‘Kinky Boots’. The number contained suitable props and was well polished choreography.

The lighting was well considered and added to the overall package creating the mood. Sound levels were well balanced enabling the singing to be heard and not drowned.

This was a highly entertaining production. It was well constructed and well-rehearsed which was a credit to everyone concerned.

I am aware of EODS next production – the all-time popular ‘The Sound of Music’, and I was interested to hear about plans for a further production of ‘Brassed Off’ and note ‘Razzle Dazzle’ next May. I look forward to all of these.

Well done to all at EODS and thank you for the invite and the welcome we received.

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