The Showstoppers

Transferring acquired skills as a performer to the role of a Director can be tough. Then choosing a show based on your own concept for the story could be seen as a challenge too far. Not for this highly talented society who in the past have enjoyed success with a number of home grown productions.

The Showstoppers brilliantly incorporated a collection of hugely popular show tunes that at some stage were once flying around in the director’s head, into a carefully crafted story line about a group of theatrical performer’s determination to save their theatre from demolition against the wishes and commercial ambitions of the new owner.

Billed in the programme as a Mystery Opening Number an empty stage was quickly filled by the company and characters improvising sounds from tapping fingers, brooms and various items running into ‘Chim Chim Cher-ee’, the first of many big sing numbers. Followed by ‘One’ from A Chorus Line. Roxie (Alison Roberts) gave a moving performance of ‘Memory’ supported by a lovely piece of choreography from the dancers on stage. Then ‘Santa Fe’ from ‘Rent’ featured a highly accomplished routine by the male chorus and dancers quickly followed by ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ from the whole company.

Notable other individual performances came from Mr Lannister ( Jon Barclay) with ‘ I Want it All’ and then in the second half with Miss Jones ( Amanda Golding) appropriately ‘Take a Letter Miss Jones’ from ‘ Blood Brothers’ Zach ( Alistair Hutton) and Drew ( John Dix) gave a highly dependable performance with ‘Music of the Night’. Ending the first half were the whole company with a magnificent rendition of ‘One Day More’

Act 2 began with a classy, sassy music and dance routine in a brilliantly interpreted ‘Cell Block Tango’ from ‘Chicago’ No lavish set but a row of chairs used as props superbly well to great effect. Fittingly for a group in the story looking to save their theatre ‘There’s No Business Like Show Business’ was included. Annie (Kelly- Marie Clements) teamed up with Roxie and the dancers in ‘Electricity’ from ‘Billy Elliot’ enhanced by the inclusion of highly effective strobe lighting, followed by leading the company in ‘You’re Never Fully Dressed without a Smile’.

Truly Lanister ( Ashley Houghton) switching sides against the wishes of her father gave a lovely performance of ‘Popular’ from ‘Wicked’, one solo amidst convincing final pieces that included ‘Do You Hear the People Sing’ ‘Masquerade’ and the final number ‘Circle of Life’.

Stunning costumes, for some scenes, highly innovative props, effective lighting and magical choreography brought the production to life. At times though audibility was a little weak and vocal quality not always the best.

This production overall was thoroughly enjoyable home grown entertainment with much polish and careful thought in direction and production from a company who gave everything to ensure the audience went away singing its praises and you can’t ask for more than that. Well done EODS

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.