Summer Show

I spent an enjoyable few hours at the Brandon Festival ostensively to watch the Shoestring Theatre Company entertain a large number of visitors.

Shoestrings’ two show slots consisted of a short play (The Hypnotist) and Musical and Dance section.  It is no mean feat to stand on stage, struggling with the elements and other things going on in the close vicinity, and confidently perform — but that is just what this company did.

The multi-talented Mia McDonald – choreographer, sketch writer, director, actor, singer and dancer did an absolutely splendid job.  Mia has a fine voice too.  Not yet 20 years of age Mia has great confidence and ability and I am sure her talents will be much in demand 

The run up to the performance was not without its problems with the difficult situation we have all found ourselves in which naturally had an impact on rehearsal. Also a positive Covid-19 test for a member of her family meant that cast member Leah Sanders had to isolate and therefore drop out a few days before the show. 

Ashley Bell stepped up to stand in for Leah as the hypnotist in the sketch, learning the script in two days, as well participating in the musical section.  This of course had a knock on effect so Archie Stohr stepped in to take over Ashley’s role in the sketch as well as singing and dancing in the musical section.  Andrew Gookey (the only “grown up” on stage) gave good support in the sketch and with the singing but left the dancing to the young ones!   Making her Shoestring debut was Miley Mathers the society’s newest and youngest member (she joined Shoestring on 13th July), who made an excellent and confident contribution to the musical section.

The play was perhaps not as slick as the Director had planned given the last minute cast changes but I thought it worked very well despite the problem with the radio mics.  After a break and a costume change the musical section was very enjoyable.  The first part was a tribute to the NHS and other Key Workers with a medley of songs which have become popular over the last eighteen months. The finale was a very lively rendition of one of my favourite musical numbers  “Footloose” from the show of that name performed by Archie, Ashley, Mia and Miley.  This was deservedly very well received by a large number of festival goers.  I have to say again that the confidence in performance of this small but select team was impressive.

Thank you for inviting me along. 

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