What's Next Mini Musicals

Entering the venue, I was warmly greeted by the Front of House staff who introduced me to the Stage One Committee Chairman, Steve Clark, who ensured I had my ticket and knew where to go. I made myself comfortable and prepared for what I anticipated would be a very good show as Stage One Theatre is known for its high calibre, high quality performances and I was not disappointed!

Each chosen musical selection - Chicago, Guys & Dolls, Wonderland, Dear Evan Hansen, Billy Elliot and Come from Away contained a ‘sampling’ of entire songs from that production, as if tempting the audience and leaving them wanting to know that musical more.

Chicago was up first - four songs from that well known musical came one after the other in slick and well programmed sequence starting with the classic All That Jazz.  This was closely followed by Funny Honey, Razzle Dazzle, Nowadays and an outstanding performance of Cell Block Tango. The emotion, the attitude and the dances were all there - on point and executed with enthusiasm and accuracy.

Then came Guys & Dolls with the energy and joie de vivre expected from this high-octane musical.  Favourites such as A Bushel and a Peck, Guys and Dolls, Luck be a Lady, If I were a Bell and a very musically complicated, wordy and tricky finale of Sit Down you’re Rocking the Boat. The lead singer excelled in executing this and the entire cast oozed energy bringing the whole story to life.

Next was the Wonderland expose which I was not familiar with at all, but it was all exciting and crazy and magical at the same time. The acting throughout this performance exposed the ridiculousness of situations in a perfectly sublime way and facial expressions in acting out the songs were superbly executed. Interpretations through dance and movement were excellent and well-rehearsed and there was not a foot wrong that I noticed.

After the interval we were treated further with more contemporary productions, commencing with Dear Evan Hansen. This entire grouping of beautifully sung numbers were incredibly moving, sung so passionately and expressively that I could feel myself tearing up as themes of mental illness, suicide and fabrications were brought to the surface.  Deeply emotional themes are not simple or easy to put across, but to elicit such an emotional response so you could hear a pin drop in the audience was testament to the cast's natural talent.

Billy Elliot, a much-loved film and musical, a coming of age story and of becoming who you are in spite of adversity, wins hearts and minds every time and this performance of four songs certainly was no exception. This beautiful story was very well told by the entire group on the stage, the poignancy of the inner struggle and turmoil tangible, and a wonderful journey into acceptance and pure joy in the end. 

Last but by no means least, Come From Away. I now know I just have to see it in its entirety thanks to the cast’s rendition of a small lively and close-knit community getting together to welcome strangers in dire need of warmth, comfort and sanctuary. The music, lyrics and tempo were fast and complicated, demonstrating the mix of influences in the music of Newfoundland, and the energy that sparked from the stage was infectious. Many in the audience couldn’t sit still! Such a fantastic feel good performance from a very able cast.

The format of this show was clever, well thought out, balanced and planned to the extent that the audience were given what was in essence ‘tasters’ of full shows which left you wanting to know more. Reminiscences of older traditional shows and explorations into new more modern shows with societal themes of today.  

The score was immense, but Harry Wells ensured that each actor knew their music and their part and when to come in with precision, pairing each musical phrase with intrinsic choreography, courtesy of the artistic interpretation talents of  Helen Wallis, choreographer, which was demonstrated by exact and artful execution of the moves and songs. The cast did you both proud - I can easily imagine that I might see some cast members on the West End stage in future, such was the talent of this group.

Sound and lighting design was astounding, creating fantastic atmospheres for each number through a sublimely designed programme. Clever and subtle changes to the minimal set were achieved by the cast moving chairs and tables, necessitating extra effort to create the scene through their performances, which successfully drew the audience into each number with them.

And to think, they only had nine weeks of rehearsal time for this! Paul Clements (Director) congratulations on a very memorable and wonderful show.

An incredible show created by an incredible team. Well done all.

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