West End Showstoppers

CTMTC delivered  a great range of over 30 musical numbers for their May concert. There were so many impressive numbers in the concert it is impossible to mention them all here, however the opening sequence served as a reminder of their 2022 Best Musical Production in District 10 of The Sound of Music, including ‘Do- Ra- Mi’ and ‘So Long, Farewell’ led by Hollie Christian-Brookes as Maria, utilising two teams of the Von Trapp Children. There was the occasional sound issue, but that did not disturb Josh Dibble from utilising his full range singing Gethsemane (Jesus Christ Superstar) with expression, followed by Claire Hadland and ‘Wishing you were somehow here again’, from The Phantom of the Opera. There followed two stirring numbers from Miss Saigon; ‘Movie in my mind’ by the Ladies chorus and Bui Doi sang by the men and then Larna and Paige sang ‘Wouldn’t it be lovely’, from My Fair Lady, which it was! Emma Paine then sang an impressive ‘Popular’ from Wicked which was followed by two numbers from Blood Brothers; ‘Marilyn Munroe’, sang by Wendy Richards and then ‘My Child’ sang by Wendy and Jill Parmenter which was both very good. Act 1 was rounded off with a sequence from Oliver! including ‘As long as he needs me’ sang with feeling by Sarah Richards and a great tuneful finale of ‘Who Will Buy’.

If Act 1 had not wet the audience’s appetite, then  Act 2 certainly would with one cracking number after another, opening with a moving couple of numbers from Billy Elliot; ‘The Stars look down’ involving the men and the talented Harrison Bianco and ‘The Letter’ with Harrison, Sarah and Emma Parker. Six girls excelled in voice and movement singing ‘Six’ and the Riga sisters Maria & Georgia proved ‘I can do anything better than you’. Lisa Derrington sang ‘Somewhere that’s Green ‘ from Little Shop of Horrors and Julian Richards sang an excellent ‘This is the Moment’ from Jekyll & Hyde and equally so ‘Me and the sky’ from Come from Away, sang by Hollie.

Molly Parmenter and the youngsters provided an energetic ‘When I grow up’  and Daisy Sandel sang a nice clear and natural ‘Naughty’, both from Matilda The Musical. ‘When he sees me’ was well sung with expression by Lois Stevens and ‘She used to be mine’ was also well sung with control by Jessica Richards, both numbers from Waitress. This just left a great concluding sequence from Les Miserables with ‘Master of the House’ sang by Chris Paine and Jill Parmenter, ‘On My Own’ sang by Sophie Austin and ‘Stars’ sang by Reece Jones.

CTMTC proved that a well- lit stage with just black drapes and mainly black costumes with some accessories, supported by piano or backing tape, is quite sufficient to provide some excellent musical entertainment.

Directed by Darren Richards and Russell Painter as MD, the company should be well pleased with the result.

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