Stage School

After last year’s success of ‘6 Golden Tickets’, it was wonderful to be invited back to attend the next Clogettes production and it was another terrific undertaking.  ‘Stage School’ was an original youth production, put together by Debi Weaver and the Clogettes Creative Team and was set around the cast obtaining places at a prestigious Stage School, followed by their trials and tribulations before performing is a school production of ‘Whistle down the Wind’. As well as compiling this again for a single performance in a major venue, it also formed part of a Trinity College Group Musical Theatre Assessment, which took place on the performance night.

The production was slick and well-put together, progressing at pace through a number of different musical style and genres. It was a clever move to have the older cast performing as the Stage School members of staff. Just about everyone got a chance to show what they could do as a solo, be it through dialogue, singing or dance. The enthusiastic audience of friends, family and involved parties certainly loved every minute and showed their appreciation throughout.

The solo singing was of a very good standard, as was the dialogue from the main characters. What was also most impressive was the effort put in by everyone when in the chorus – people were obviously working really hard on their parts as characters in the School, which they maintained all of the way through. The choreography worked for the abilities involved and worked very effectively, matching the various musical styles well. You could clearly see and hear how much those on stage were enjoying themselves, particularly in the last two numbers.

There were plenty of acted scenes too, which were very good in the main, with some nice characterisations – particularly from the Stage School Staff. There was also some good dramatic tension put in when the modest Lindsay obtaining the lead-part, over the self-important Jennifer. Well done to the two young performers here.

Positioned as I was quite close the stage, I’m unable to say if all of the dialogue carried to the back of the hall.  Many of the performers were using radio microphones too for the first time, which were very well-managed.  In fact, the lighting, sound and visuals from MDR Theatre Services were very good throughout and really enhanced the production. Scenes changes were effectively managed by the Backstage team. Costumes were of the correct style and looked good.

Thank you Clogettes for a wonderful evening’s entertainment – I expect you to do very well in your assessment. I look forward to your future productions!

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.