Children of Eden

If there is any doubters out there wondering about the Stoke bid for City of Culture, I strongly suggest you try and get a ticket to see Stoke Youth Musical Theatre's production of Children of Eden

With an average age of just sixteen the cast of thirty four brings some of the best young performers I have seen for a long time.

Directed by Ian Birkin, a stalwart of the local drama scene since the 1970's, used his many years experience well, demonstrating great stage craft and awareness using the auditorium effectively during the course of the show, bringing the audience an excellent show with many performers in lead roles for the first time.

Ian's daughter Olivia Birkin's choreography was excellent, the dancers were polished and fluid. The band's superb musicianship, conducted by musical director Matthew Davis.

The production team have worked hard with their cast to make the show a visual and aural treat for their audiences. Sound was excellent. Lighting to, the beautifully lit scenes conjured a real atmospheric ambience throughout the show. Outstanding.

Stephen Schwartz and John Caird's musical Children of Eden casts the stories of Genesis through the personal lens of family and all that it entails.

Act One, telling the story of the temptation by the snake for the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, the choreography here was brilliant, how the snake wrapped around Eve was subtlety itself, leading Eve into temptation and to their fall from grace and expulsion from the Garden of Eden.

Act Two covering Noah and the flood, the prejudices of ignorance, is really quite enlightening.

The Father of creation, Ciarnan Roberts; breathes life into his children, Adam and Eve, the excellent Tom Bolam and Leah Jaffrey; both performing beyond their tender years, simply superb.

Vocally this is a challenging show, all of the cast stepped up and grasped whatever challenges were given to them. Wonderful harmonies, wonderful movement and dance, intertwined with great music.

The hard work and enjoyment from everyone on the stage was a joy to see.

During the interval I was asked if I would write a review for the local paper (one of my other hats) I did so, starting as above and ending with the following:

Good people of Stoke, this is the very reason we should get behind and back the City of Culture bid, the youth of the city, are the future of the city.

Excellence on our doorstep.

This show was worthy of such high praise

 

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