We Will Rock You young@part

                                   

I was warmly welcomed on arrival by Abigail Grimsey and Emily Littlejohn and was able to discuss the production with them and again after the performance.

The audience in this large auditorium was near capacity, evidence of the support locally for this talented society. The large (46) and very young cast were all aged between 4 and 17 years old with everyone contributing well.

The set was simple but effective consisting of a raised dais at the back with steps at each side. Four pillars at the back supported lights changing colour and lighting was just right. Sound levels were good with a few sound effects and a video screen at the back sometimes showing a profile of Freddie Mercury. The costumes were many and varied and were all relevant to the characters.

Dance routines were innovative and made the most of the talent on stage all very well choreographed by Abigail, Emily and Kayleigh. Well done! I enjoyed the ‘pretend’ vehicle- very innovative.  There were some very competent dancers on stage and given the age of some of the cast I thought that the movement really reflected the differing ability levels. Some of the youngest children were slightly out of step but this is usual with such young performers and it did not affect the overall performance,       .

Music was by backing tracks and most of the soloists kept to the pace and projected well. Tristan Williams, as Galileo had a major role as did  Daisy Dixey, as Scaramouche and they were well cast. Both had solo parts in I Want To Break Free and  duets in several numbers. Daisy had a strong and well balanced voice and I especially enjoyed her singing Somebody To Love  with the Teen Queens, (Violet Stuart-Allen, Eden Gediking,  Maddie Griffiths and Poppy Newton). A really good performance!

A good casting was Cameron Kiff ( complete with kilt) as Brit and Holli Dixey as Oz. They were very well matched and their voices blended well in I Want It All and several other numbers. Cameron even  managed to find a guitar to ‘play ’and he appeared to thoroughly enjoy his role. Neve Kidd was a sparkling Killer Queen in good voice in her songs especially Another One Bites The Dust.  Jack Bugden dressed in black robes as Khashoggi, played this role well and led Seven Seas Of Rhye at the beginning of Act Two.

Sage Ashworth was Buddy a hippie and perfect foil to Galileo and there were two other soloists, Poppy Drury and Emily Budgen. There were also a number of small named parts whilst the ensemble  had plenty of dancing and singing throughout.

This was a great production, cleverly directed by Abigail Grimsey and the Assistant Directors, Emily Littlejohn and Kayleigh Root. I am always vastly impressed by their abiilty to nurture such a large number of young people to a high standard.

The somewhat partial audience clearly enjoyed this performance as did I.

Well done to everyone involved in any way .

 

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