The Sound of Musicals

This production was my first outing to a theatre since lockdown in March 2020. First of all, it was a joy and excitement  to be with so many people, all there to experience live music again. Over the two hours that we spent there, we were able to be transported to many places and situations with songs from twenty-eight different musicals. It can be a problem with compilation shows to get the order and continuity right but this production just flowed with ease from one scene to the next.

The twenty-three piece orchestra, led ably by James LeLean, was a perfectly balanced complement to the thirty-five strong cast plus ten youth cast from Knightstar productions.

I would usually highlight some parts of the show and name the soloists but I feel that this would be a little unfair because all the actors were equally good in their roles and every voice suited the part and their quality of voice was  very good and with clear diction.

One song that was performed was “Anything Goes” and the tap dance routine in this was exceptional.

My recollection of “Big Spender” from “Sweet Charity” was not quite how I remembered it. Several elderly ladies in wheelchair, with Zimmer frame, walking sticks or with hearing aids singing to and lusting after the handsome bingo caller was a sight that had us all laughing loud.

The final song, “When Your Feet Don’t Touch The Ground” from “Finding Neverland” was new to me and I really hope that I can hear that arrangement of the song again sometime. Absolutely superb and a very fitting finale.

With the orchestra and forty-five people on stage, there was little requirement for props and scenery. The mood for the different scenes was set by the lighting - very effective - and props - few and simple but effective.

Congratulations to all on stage and backstage. A brilliant evening was had by all.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.