'Take 20' - Celebrating 20 years

When I was invited to attend the show, I didn’t know what to expect but I was blown away by it.  What a wonderful experience for all to celebrate the 20 years, with the cast giving themselves and others huge entertainment value and pleasure. From the opening selection of songs under the appropriate heading Let’s Party, they sparkled like their costumes. Thirty one songs in this section were performed with energy and enthusiasm without a break or a hitch. The Interact with fine performances from singers, dancers and the comedic ‘Sisters’ gave the cast time to change costume into charming pink tops for the next section, It Takes Two. Here we were treated to a selection of songs from shows like South Pacific, Annie get Your Gun and Me And My Girl, again setting the audience alight foot tapping and singing along. After the Interval, in eye-catching red and black evening dress, and with no loss of energy, the cast took us through My Story: the history of Ups and Downs narrated by Stephanie Crawford. They performed songs focussing on the friendship and support they all have had in Ups and Downs over the years. Numbers like You’ve got a Friend in Me, A whole New World and I Am What I Am summed up their attitude and approach.  A lovely touch was when members who have been in Ups and Downs from the very first show took centre stage and made it their own, sending the audience wild with pride in Chu Chi Face, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Hello Dolly and Skyfall.  With no loss of stamina or enthusiasm, the performance drew to a close with a moving Together Wherever We Go, ‘together’ being the important word. By the time the cast came to sing their Ups and Downs song, you could hardly hear it above the audience’s acclaim. The work that David Black and Maureen Anderson have put in in choosing suitable and uplifting songs, training the singing and orchestrating  the movement cannot be commended too highly nor the support of parents and friends in bringing the cast  to realise what they can achieve. The choreography gave every member of the cast a place in the limelight. Credit goes to all for the hard work which has given an end product rewarding for all involved. But the last word belongs to the cast. Their energy and staying power, their care for each other and love for what they were doing was amazing and absolutely inspiring. Congratulations to all in Ups and Downs and here’s to the next 20 years!

Many thanks to Elizabeth Donald, Regional Representative, District 3 (Scotland) for providing this report.

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