We'll Meet Again

Lollipop returned after a year and a half with a very topical and sometimes poignant concert which kicked off with a recording of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s ‘lockdown’ announcement and an upbeat number ‘Controlling the Virus’. The ‘Boris Remix’, a Troop Dance was great fun. The full cast gave a strong and clear version of ‘Another Brick In The Wall’.

The next section entitled ‘Lost Love’ reminded us of the progress and effort made by Care Homes to open up for visitors. The first number ‘Lost Boy’, based on a movie of Peter Pan, was a very nice dance by Ellen Fearnley, Rhiannon Mitchell, Isabelle Smart, Jemima Ricketts and Olivia Cawston and this was followed by the full cast well dressed with the girls in red and lads in black, singing ‘It Must Be Love’. Evie Clarke, Ryan Simcock, Daniel Chorley, Jessica Lewis and Phoebe Hall gave a moving interpretation of ‘Supermarket Flowers’ by Ed Sheeran. Ellen Fearnley sang ‘Your Song’ (Elton John) with strength and Jessica Lewis led the final number in the section with a tuneful version of ‘I know Where I’ve Been’ from “Hairspray”.

The final section in Act 1 commemorated VE Day with some relevant back-cloth projections. A troop dance depicting the Poppy Girls and Military Wives presented a lovely dance and ‘Run Rabbit Run’ was well led by Daniel Chorley with some nice costumes. Throughout the concert there was some varied dancing, including contemporary and ‘Chattanooga Choo Choo / Apple Tree’ gave an opportunity to display Lollipops training in tap. ‘Geronimo’ presented another opportunity for a good Troop Dance and Act 1 concluded with ‘We’ll Meet Again’ and some enthusiastic audience flag waving.

Act 2 opened with a tribute to the NHS and a projected news item explained the overwhelming pressures that the local Cheltenham Hospital was under due to Covid. ‘True Colours’ by Justin Timberlake was poignantly ‘signed’ and Arabella Ellis-Evens had a lovely voice leading ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ with the full cast. ‘Flowers’ was another good dance number. The final section was entitled ‘Back Together’ and I particularly enjoyed ‘I’ll Be There For You’, sung by the full cast. The concert concluded with a rousing version of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.

Keith Lewis provided some sensitive piano accompaniment throughout the concert, bringing the volume down for softer voices when needed which I really appreciated.

At the conclusion of the performance I was very pleased to present my Special Award Certificate (2019) to Lollipop Youth Theatre and their team led by Holly Fields, “for their guiding principle of inclusivity and equality, providing opportunities for every individual to build confidence, self-esteem and self-belief”. “We’ll Meet Again” was another shining example to be proud of.

 

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