The Magic of Music

For the first time, Worcester G&S Society and Lollipop Youth Theatre came together, to share a celebration of music with performers of all ages in a tribute to the magic that happens when music meets storytelling. The stage was normally clear with just a star cloth at the rear of the stage that gave everyone the space to move. Lollipop sang to backing tracks with confidence and David Arthur led the Worcester G&S Society on piano as Musical Director. Compere in the wings was Andrew Howie.

Space is exactly what was needed for the Lollipop girls to dance to the opening number ‘Pure Imagination’ from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, gentle and smooth, beautifully dressed in black and gold. This was followed by two numbers from Sweeney Todd sung by members of Worcester G&S and both groups then came together with ‘True Colours’ which was signed.

The Lollipop musical medley that followed, included songs from Matilda, Annie, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Oliver! I particularly liked that ‘Revolting Children’ was given the right treatment; I really enjoyed ‘Maybe’ sung by Eloisa Ellis-Evans, and ‘Where is Love?’ sung by Willliam Lowes. Closing Act 1 Worcester G&S with Paul Ellis led ‘Get me to the church on Time’ from My Fair Lady, Pete Twiddy led a couple of verses from ‘Flash Bang Wallop’ (Half a Sixpence) and Zero Butler led ‘Lambeth Walk’ from Me and My Girl, joined by Lollipop.

Act 2 opened with an amusing early 20th Centenary sketch of scandal, intrigue and farce which ended up with most of the characters being shot! Lollipop seniors then returned in their colourful outfits (they were always well dressed) with that well know number from Mary Poppins (Too long to spell here) and Arabella Elis-Evans sang ‘Memory’ from Cats with a nice voice and clear tones. Worcester G&S came back with two numbers from Little Shop of Horrors and then Zero Butler sang ‘Wilkommen’ from Cabaret with a good accent and this was followed by ‘Money Money’ which was another good number.

Worcester G&S then staged a section of 1980s music with ‘I wanna dance with somebody’ well led by Rachael Hall. Lollipop then returned with a well sung ‘One Short Day’ from Wicked and possibly strongest of all with great expression Millie Falconer sang ‘The Wizard and I’. 

The closing section was a medley from Les Misérables, including when Becky Fearnley sang a superb and very moving ‘I dreamed a dream’, followed by Evie Turner as Young Cosette with an engaging and well sung ‘Castle on a cloud’. I felt the combination of the two groups worked well; Worcester G&S stretching themselves with pieces they would not normally sing and Lollipop further fulfilling their values of inclusivity and that given a chance, every child can shine.

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