The Sound of Musicals

This was a difficult review. There can be no doubt that we were entertained to a feast of songs from shows that triggered memories for many of the audiences and indeed showcased the talent that the Players can call upon in the present day…most too young to recall some of the ‘older’ classics! It was therefore pertinent to involve at least a few of the original performers and to this end the show was a nostalgic trip down memory lane. This was especially obvious from the interaction between Deanne Dickson and Stephen Wilson as they recreated their roles as Dolly and Vandergelder from the show ‘Hello Dolly’, so good  they played them twice! (1984 and 2001). There were some real highlights...the only problem was that the snippets were so short, that to quote the old adage…they left us wanting more! The well established show opener, There’s No Business Like Show Business, from the Company was followed by the men with a  rousing, Nothing Like a Dame from ‘South Pacific’, the ‘Titanic’ theme with its evocative score, an emotional ‘Love Changes Everything’ from ‘Aspects of Love’, some real hip swinging rock from ‘Grease’. One of my personal favourites, Suddenly Seymour, from ‘Little Shop of Horrors’, and always a favourite, the ‘Anthem’  from ‘Chess’ , and many, many more! Perhaps a tad too many? We enjoyed some less well known numbers from shows long forgotten and a wonderful solo from Judy Mars with ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ from ‘Carousel’. She was matched with some super renditions from many different principal soloists…(too many to mention individually)… difficult to put a name to each one but all are to be congratulated for their quality and dedication to their individual contributions. But clearly some unfortunate illnesses had led to drastic changes to the programme and the lead vocalists. Audiences probably did not notice the join but it must have stretched the Directors options to the limit. Well done to all those who took over at such short notice and carried on, keeping the Lowestoft Players reputation intact… I must mention the perhaps only comedy number, from ‘Spamalot’…altogether now…. “Only look on the bright side of life…etc ”,  with Ian Carter and his coconuts plus Chris Darnell…and we all joined in with the whistling response of course! I would have liked a few more light hearted moments but you can’t have everything, although over sixty numbers from fifty three shows did keep the applause hands tingling! To open Act 2  the men again showed real gusto with  Chris Darnell and ‘Into The Fire’ from ‘The Scarlet Pimpernell,’ followed with equal vigour by the female chorus and two great numbers from ‘Sister Act’, and the catalogue continued to tickle the taste buds with so many classics, not least the younger cast members, who had given us that iconic ‘Hard Knock Lif ’and  ‘Consider Yourself’ in act one; they were in fine form with David Evans and ‘Inch Worm’ from ‘Hans Anderson’. We would have liked more from the ‘next generation’ as they are, and rightly described …the future! Even a taster from ‘Guys and Dolls’ with ‘Sit Down You’re Rocking The Boat’.   There were poignant commentaries from Deanne Dickson and Andrew Liddon and even messages from afar which were a trifle twee but added to the nostalgia. The LED  screen was spectacular and added an artistic and interesting back drop avoiding the awkward matter of scenery and changes as we flitted from one number to the next, which can be a problem with compilation shows. Just a quick thought, that surely there were other ‘old’ members who have moved on to greater things, that might have been worth a mention? The Company were as ever immaculate in their support and vocal accompaniment and always gave one hundred percent with plenty of smiles!

 This was a show to be proud of if you are or have been a member of the Lowestoft Players. But I fear it will not satisfy those supporters who, over the years, have come to rely on the much loved Christmas Spectacular which is consequently on a break this year… to return in 2018! Will this show satisfy the faithful followers of ‘ The Players’ who may have expected at least some reference to the plethora of pantomimes that have become a family tradition locally and still attract large audiences to The Marina Theatre? … Well there is a whole year to go, so look out for and book early for Cinderella in January 2018 and onwards to, ‘Guys and Dolls’ in June then, ‘Made in Dagenham’ in September, to conclude an Anniversary year to remember! This show was a great start. So… Celebrate our own, our very own, Lowestoft Players 50th Anniversary ! We are very proud!!

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.