StageRight 20 Anniversary Concert

Thank you for inviting me to your wonderful concert and for your hospitality, although normally your shows are done at the Sands Centre Carlisle you had to change venues whilst ongoing work is continuing there, and you brought your production to Rheged at Penrith. The venue did not disappoint, and it was nice to see a full house. The show was produced by David and Sallie McNeill and Directed by David McNeill and what a show they put on for the public to enjoy. I really enjoyed the video links in the back ground with David explaining to everybody in the audience how they got to where they are today. It could have been so different if it wasn’t for David and Sallie’s determination and hard work to secure premises and sponsors to enable all the students to carry on performing. 

The concert was a mixture of students and graduates, all graduates were past members of StagedRight and the way the screen was used behind the performers on stage showed how well these graduates have done and I found their stories really interesting and to see how much they have achieved says a lot for this wonderful Group. 

The opening number had the students singing as they were coming down the stairs to the stage and what an opening number to grab everyone’s attention in the audience. 

I could mention every performer who sang on stage but I would be here writing for the next two weeks so what I will say is a very big well done to all the students on stage whether it was solo vocals or singing in the ensemble you were all very good.

The show maintained a good pace throughout with good sound and lighting.

Karen Woodruff choreographed the dances and what a joy it was to watch. All the students and graduates all in time and with lovely smiles on their faces, you could tell they were all enjoying themselves on stage.

It was nice to see some of the graduates with very little rehearsal time performing with the students which will surely give all the students the incentive they need to fulfil their potential dreams of getting into Theatre or TV.

Cameron Mitchell sang Che Gelida Manina from La Boheme and what a powerful voice he had as the audience applause to the song said it all.

There was also a brilliant performance of Bring Him Home from Collabro star Matt Pagon.

The show finished with a 20 year Finale Medley written and composed by Clark Wilkinson our previous Region 10 Noda Representative and one of the first students of StagedRight, it brought the concert to a close with rapturous applause from the audience. 

A wonderful show and a lovely combination of students, graduates and special guests. Well done to everybody involved in this concert showcasing the immense talent of the group. You all put on a special show for your anniversary. 

Jim Morgan

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