SUNDAY NIGHT IN THE LYRIC

A concert Celebrating 100 years of PGS Theatre Productions                                                 

SUNDAY NIGHT IN THE LYRIC Theatre Royal Plymouth 

 24 September 23                  

With special guests Plymouth Military Wives & Plymouth Performing Arts Academy 

Mark Sidey -Artistic Director   

Carole Wilson – Choreographer  

Rob Young – Musical Director

Archie Moroyow -Production Assistant 

 

This Concert was a glittering occasion, one to be remembered, not only because of the centenary of the Society & being performed in the Theatre Royal at Plymouth but because of the concert itself!

Nonstop entertainment throughout, with changes that appeared seamless, going from one song into another and at various tempos!

Whatever this company present, they do it well. 

The pace was good, singing great and excellent choreography with costumes to match every song along with a super sound from the thirteen-piece orchestra.

I couldn’t possibly mention all who took part in the concert but suffice it to say that everyone from soloists to chorus to orchestra, were enjoying themselves hugely and smiling all the way and that included the audience among whom was the Lord Mayor of Plymouth and a prominent G & S professional.

To perform on such a stage might have caused a few nerves but if there were any it certainly didn’t show.   

Act one got off to a cracking start beginning with Hail Poetry and followed by many more Gilbert & Sullivan classics, the Mikado, Iolanthe, Pirates of Penzance, Hot Mikado, HMS Pinafore. 

Behind the cast were showing photographs and archive film of Plymouth through those 100 years including the dreadful aftermath of the concerted bombing of the strategic naval port of Plymouth during WW11

 There followed a fine selection of numbers including a Vera Lynn Medley. Here the Plymouth Military Wives, as invited artistes, came into their own singing with gusto, today’s equivalent of the brave families who sacrificed so much during the war years.

  Act two, after everyone got their breath back, was packed with song, dance, great costumes, and sheer enthusiasm, celebrating the widening of the traditional G&S shows to include musical performances from all genres.    

This half included brilliant performances from the Plymouth Performing Arts Academy, a very talented group of young people, invited to support this special concert. Run Freedom Run, When I get my Name in Lights, Children of Eden and the final two numbers with the full company, displayed their skill and verve perfectly. 

  The films and photos displayed during the various numbers added context to the timeline and particularly moving was the sequence from bomb site, grey and grim to the present day Theatre built on the site in bright colour. Equally poignant, the “In Memorium” to all those members of PGS who have died during those years.

   Anything Goes was amazing, with stunning tap dancing, and the two whole company numbers “Being Alive” and “Sing” brought this stupendous and memorable concert to a fitting end.

 PGS can be very proud to have staged this concert in such a prestigious venue and in such a great city and to have done it so well to a packed theatre and a very appreciative audience. Heartiest congratulations to Mark Sidey, Artistic Director, Carole Wilson, Choreographer, Rob Young, Musical Director and Archie Moroyow,Production Assistant and everyone associated with this unique celebration presented in the only way possible for this society, with song, dance and spectacle. 

Graham K Liverton 

National Vice President NODA & Regional Councillor NODA Southwest

 

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