Stars

As Berwick Musical and Theatre Society adjust their programme of entertainment due to The Maltings, their usual venue, being refurbished, the idea for this production was contrived whilst their director Sandra Storey was lying on a sun-drenched beach. Sandra you certainly managed to put your ideas together and bring them to fruition. Well done to you and your team for giving us all a super night of entertainment.

Some in the audience would recall the long running and hugely successful ‘soundalike’ hosted talent show, Stars in Their Eyes 1990's, in which the contestants sing live, as a famous singer. We were introduced to the stars by the hosts Andy Knight and Simon Landels. The pre-recorded, pre performance interviews with the stars were shown on a large screen and they were introduced to the audience using the famous words ‘tonight I am going to be.’

We were introduced to six stars including:

Boy George – Robert Hanlon

Shania Twain – Nicola Summers

Elvis Presley – Matty Forster

Georgia Young – Kate Bush

Jim Denholm – Frank Sinatra.

Gill Berzins - Tina Turner

You were all stars and you all gave us first-class individual performances. Members of the audience had to vote for the winner  and they struggled to do so, but on the night I visited Georgia Young was the star winner. Georgia your Kate Bush – Wuthering Heights was brilliant both musically and theatrically. You had mastered the artist in her entirety. You were a worthy winner.

I was also taken by Jim Denholm’s performance. I have only seen Jim perform in a chorus. You have a lovely voice Jim and your choice of song Strangers in the Night was a flawless version of a beautiful song. I was pleased to hear you had been winner on the previous evening. Congratulations Jim.

All of the stars gave us a show of the highest standard and clearly loved the character and the songs they were mirroring. This society is blessed with a number of very good vocalists and the entertainment in between the star performances was lively and very well-rehearsed. The choreography was slick and a pleasure to watch. Well done to Denise Clarke and Rebekah Herbert for allowing us to witness the skills you both have in producing such a show. I liked the way that during group numbers the people at the front moved to the back, allowing others to move forward. This was cleverly done and allowed your audience to have a full view of talent within the group. You achieved this in a building you are not used to but made full use of the stage and floor.

The opening of the show with a medley of The Beatles got us in the mood as did the opening of the second act with a Steps medley. The finale of the Take That number Never Forget was fitting as I don’t think we will ever forget some of the highlights. Lynn Ireland and Nicola Summers duet of I Know him So Well (famously performed by Elaine Page and Barbara Dickinson) was breathtaking. Congratulations to you both.

In an alternative genre Sharon Young “belted out” I love rock and roll. What a performance, well done Sharon.

The costumes reflected the stars (Robert Hanlon as Boy George) comes to mind as does Elvis Presley (Matty Forster) in his leathers. The chorus too reflected the costume of the musical era. Thank you to your wardrobe ladies who did a great job.

Not being at The Maltings I know initially caused some anxiety but you have all shown a spirit of “we will not be beaten” and you certainly have not as the society has been given an opportunity to show you can display you theatrical and musical talents where-ever you find yourselves. Thank you for a wonderful evening of entertainment and such a warm welcome. Well done to everyone, performers on stage and the back stage team. 

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