TINSEL!

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This little gem of a musical was created by Gavin Booth a native of Joppa and Nancy Kent the musical director of the company. It was written for the then St. Philips drama group several years ago but the characters and story have been changed over the years to keep the show fresh. With its clever, witty script and most tuneful score this was the perfect musical for this vibrant company. The story centres on two young girls who leave Purple Springs to fulfill their ambition of going to Hollywood to become movie stars. When they arrive in Tinsel town and the somewhat down-market Global International Studios they meet a motley selection of characters and find themselves in some very bizarre situations.

The opening number ‘Take Me To The Movies’ made an immediate impact not only vocally but also visually. I was very impressed with the attention to detail with the costumes. Many of them looking like original 1930’s outifits and also the ladies hairstyles were very authentic.

Veronica (Sarah MacKinlay) and Olivia (Katie Bell) the two young ladies off to make their dreams come true worked very well together. Nothing was going to stop Veronica getting where she wanted to be while Olivia tries to be a somewhat calming influence. Both girls gave excellent performances. They are faced by a rather dubious group of actors in Global studios - Clive Meredith (Kenneth Anderson), a fading star who still believes he is one of life’s lotharios and Loretta Wilde (Ruth Bonar) who will do anything to protect her image as leading lady. The various scenes being shot in the studio were hilarious particularly the pirates with their ‘Pirates Bold’ and the Roman scenes ‘Hail to Thee’. The extras in the film Irving (Willie French), Seymour (Neil Bowie) and Wilbur (Paul Crooke) added fun and humour to the show.

One of the great things about this show is that there are so many named principal characters. This company has so many talented players so that each part was very well cast giving many people the chance to shine. Too many to name individually.

The music throughout is varied with beautiful ballads like ‘I’ll Remember You’ sung with sincerity by Veronica and her dad Walter (Rupert Henderson) and ‘Joshua’, the moving number sung by Adelaide (Joyce Millar). In complete contrast Katie Bell belted out ‘I Wanna Be Bad’. As well as good solo and small ensemble numbers I must congratulate the company on very fine chorus work. ’What A Great Party’ and ‘All Aboard’ were very strong with the part singing coming through loud and clear.

It was so refreshing to attend something new and I was truly impressed by the show itself and the entire production. Good use was made of the extended stage and the hall space when passengers were heading for the train. In so many musicals there can be a sameness in the style of music but this score was so varied and interesting. The whole production was thoroughly entertaining, frothy and had the feel good factor.

A wonderful evening’s entertainment by an enthusiastic, well drilled company who obviously enjoyed every minute as much as I did . Very well done indeed to all the cast, production team and of course the writers themselves.

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