Take 18

I was delighted to attend my first ever Ups and Downs performance "Take 18" at the wonderful venue of the Hamilton Town House.  From curtain up and the boys company's slick rendition of "Something's Coming", the audience knew they were in for an evening - and what an evening it was!!  Broadway standards such as 42nd Street, Another Op’nin Another Show, No Business Like Show Business, The Show Must Go On and I Am What I Am were all given a slick staging and more than a dash of pzazz.  We were then out to sea with the Junior and Intermediate cast who proved they could more than hold their own with a particularly gutsy vocal performance of 'Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weenie'.  The night just got better and better transporting the audience back to the "Magic of Motown" and then a whistle stop tour of the American musicals of the west including clever skits and numbers from "Annie Get Your Gun", "Seven Brides" amongst others and of course "Oklahoma!"  All evening the entire cast looked fantastic in an endless array of dazzling, personalised costumes all made by the amazing wardrobe team.  This show was a sheer celebration of talent, teamwork, HARD work and friendship from start to finish.  With stars abound in this company,  it would be impossible to single out any one individual performance but great credit must go to the wonderful production team of Maureen Anderson, Leanne Ramage and the wonderful MD David Black and his band.  The Ups and Downs company are lucky to have such a committed and supportive patron in Ed Reid and my thanks go to the inspirational company President, Lorna Leggatt for her hospitality and tireless work.  I loved my visit and can't wait for "Take 19"!

Thanks to Kenny Christie, NODA (Scotland) Youth Advisor, for providing this report.

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