The Spice of Life

The half-term variety show ‘The Spice of Life’, and what a fun and colourful evening we all enjoyed on a miserable dull and wet day.

Paul Reynolds put together a really good mix of entertainment with a big cast of adults and youngsters pulling out all the talents and exploiting the potentials for many with songs and dance and sketches and humorous interludes and jokes, and we all felt really involved throughout the evening. And he is an excellent ‘compere/chairman’ with good manner and style. Clever to involve the expertise of Eddie Bushell and all his professional know-how to put together the choice of music to suit all the moods of the evening. And the choreography of Annamarie Sterne, particularly with all those youngsters and their energy, was fast and well-drilled, what an excellent asset to the show.

A large cast on stage of ‘6 year-olds to a little (?) over 60’ in the many turns, and quite a few of the older stalwarts recognised to be helped out by the large influx of youngsters spending half-term in satisfactory and rewarding way (and showing potential for the future of the group.)

After a rousing welcome, a batch of 007 remembrance themes performed by old (Jo Oxborough ex-professional) and young talented in good vocals, and energetically footloose dance, such a good mix for all to enjoy. Then a change each night with an interlude from established comedy turns this night Chris Rondel in a mix of mime and tale telling doing ‘harry at cromer’, other nights Pat Nearney and Sheila Olley. And those youngsters did not miss a trick with their very active movements and enthusiastic singing, some nice voices coming through for future. Into Act 2 and more comedy with the ‘committee meeting’ sketch and how the characters came to real life, loved the knitting from Jean Clarke, and the desperate vicar from John King, bossy Cheryl Collings, and will the village fete happen? And to Paul’s moment with the quiz box prizes, and a weekend in Walcott near the sandbank really did not appeal except as a laugh!  A Trip to the Seaside gave the opportunity for all ages to star (loved the duet from Call Me Madam), the youngsters again showing the talents with balls and dance and song, the ‘Pineapple’ song started frenetically by youngsters and continued and expanded with the ‘Billis in grass skirts trio’ from Neil Ellson, John King and Gerry Robins, the ‘Seashell’ word sequence from the five ladies, and the general happy feel of fun from all, and then the build to song of ‘One Voice’ from all involved in this large cast, leaving all in a happy mood.

A good old fashioned mix for this variety evening and excellent entertainment for all.

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