Previous Productions - Now that’s what I call musicals

Musical Director. Matt Ramplin, had chosen a wide range of musicals, a lot of them lesser known, but he very cleverly chose the best numbers, and he should be congratulated as well as on choosing the singers who at no time were finding the songs out of their range. It was obvious that a lot of hard work had gone into this production which showed in the amount of energy and enthusiasm which the cast radiated.

SETTING
A bare stage, a raised level and curtains, this worked well because there was nothing to detract from the colourful cast.

LIGHTING
At all times the cast were well lit, well done to Rob McDonald

SOUND
Sound Engineer Ian “Cookie” Brookes had a difficult task, especially in the first half of trying to let us hear the singers, as he was fighting a losing battle with the music, the second half was a great improvement.

MUSIC
Matt is an accomplished musician, but looking back through my reports I notice that on several occasions I have had to criticize him for being too loud, but on other times he has played at the right levels. Now whether this is down to the sound engineer or Matt himself….?? There were times in the first half when his playing and that of the drummer drowned the singers completely, the second half was a lot better. Matt should remember that he is an accompanist and not the star, that is the person on the stage trying to compete with him. A good accompanist knows this and adjusts his sound as necessary, and there were times when he played quietly so that we could hear the singers.

CHOREOGRAPHY
Congratulations to Charlotte on her choreography, this was extremely well thought out and the many different routines were a joy to watch, everyone was always in step, and the tap dance number was well choreographed.

COSTUMES
These were very effective, and just right for the songs.

THE CAST
Dan O’Hare and Company opened the evening with a rousing number “20 Million People” which suited his voice. Louise Milne slowed the pace down with “The Beauty is” Louise has clear voice which at times was a little quiet. The pace picked up with a strong performance of “High Flying Adored” David Cordingley, Michael Griffiths, Mike Ludlow, Anna Sutton, Lizzy Westney and Elisa Wynne-Hughes took command of the stage, and gave a confident performance. Pete Cottell and Sally Walton gave an excellent, perfectly timed interpretation of this next song, good strong voices which could be heard over the music, this was perfect comedy timing of “The song that goes like this”, making the most of all the comedy in the song.

“Mama who bore me” with Kirsty Bennett, Jenny Bryant, Sarah Christmas, Christina Davies, Natasha Green, Sarah Harvey, Justine Marshalsea, Louise Milne, Emma Watkins and Elisa Wynne – Hughes, despite these ladies having strong clear voices I’m afraid that it was a battle between the band and the singers, the singers resorting to shouting in some cases, which was a shame because we lost the words.

David Cordingley did not suffer the same fate with “Sunset Boulevard” this was sung with perfect pitch and stance on the stage, although obviously having been taught to keep his hands in his pockets, which looked right, David did keep taking his hands in and out rather a lot. “Sunday in the Park” was well choreographed and staged creating the picture by George Seurat, good movement and singing from the Company. Ruth Rainton and Justine Marshalsea again seemed to be fighting the band to be heard with their song “Some things are meant to be” which again was a shame as they both have good voices. Congratulations to Charlotte on her choreography in this number “Mamma Mia” is a song that makes you want to join in and the Company made the most of this, at the beginning of the song it seemed that Christina Davies found it a little out of her range, it is quite low to start with, otherwise this was a superb performance.

At times Matt played at a quieter level and we could hear the singers this was the case with Heather Jay Franklin and Emma Watkins gave a confident performance of their song “The Dark I Know Well” This was not the case with the next song “And I’m Telling You” Fran Whittaker had her work cut out trying to sing against the band, Fran got louder and louder at times even shouting, I realise that this is a gospel type song, but it is the singer we should hear not the band. I’m afraid that Fran lost the battle! Mike Coad, Michael Griffiths, Mike Ludlow, Dan O’Hare and David Stevens really went to town on this next song “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” this was an excellent piece of theatre, well done. The first half finished with a stunning performance of “The Gods Love Nubia” by Holly McEleny, Fran Whittaker and The Company Holly and Fran’s voices blending well with each other.

The second half started with a selection from “The Book of Mormon”, this was an excellent start with Lynden O’Neill, Lee Westney, Kirsty Bennett and Company making the most of the humour in the lyrics, this was a number full of energy and enthusiasm and the cast obviously enjoyed singing theses numbers, which were well choreographed, good movement and relaxed performances from all concerned.

I must admit that I’m not that fond of Stephen Sondheim’s music, but Sarah Harvey and Elisa Wynne-Hughes voices blended well together to sing “Our Little World”. There were strong performances from Dawn Gani and Natasha Green with their song “Shadowland” which suited their voices perfectly. I have never seen Avenue Q but after this I really must try, this was unusual in that it requires singing and puppetry, and I loved the puppets, they were almost alive, that you almost forgot the humans operating them, it was like watching a grown up version of Sesame Street! And with “Money Song” Pete Cottell, Laura Davies, Michael Griffiths, Ruth Rainton and Lee Westney made the most of the comedy and they all seemed relaxed and at home with their puppet charges.

Alice Webster and The Company kept the pace going with “Forget About The Boy” Alice has good stage presence and has a clear voice. From being “Jersey Boys” Mike Coad, Michael Griffiths and Mike Ludlow were joined by Pete Cottlell and Lee Westney and an unknown member of the audience! For the song “Something About You” again this was excellent and well thought out.

Laura Davies, Justine Marshalsea, Lizzy Westney, Fran Whittaker and The Company treated us to a little exercising with their interpretation of “Bend and Snap”. The pace was then slowed down for a moving performance of “Bui Doi” with some good strong voices from Lynden O’Neill And Company.

Natasha Green, Ruth Rainton and Sally Walton followed as Three “Hot” Little Maids which was well choreographed and the “Maids” voices blended well together, an excellent performance.

Emma Watkins gave a superb jazzy performance, which suited her voice, and was definitely “The Life of the Party”. Mike Ludlow and Freya Newmarch were perfect together in “(I’ve had) The Time of My Life” from Dirty Dancing, they were joined by The Company and we were treated to some energetic and enthusiastic dancing, it was a pity that the company didn’t join in with the singing more, it might have given it more “oomph” but it didn’t detract from all the energy. Sarah Christmas and Sarah Harvey with the Company gave an excellent performance of “Spread the Love Around” Sarah C and Sarah H’s voices worked well together, this number was so full of enthusiasm that the audience were joining in and just as we thought that this was the finale The Company went into “Tomorrow is a Latter Day” which brought the evening to a rousing finish.

With so much talent on stage, congratulations must go to the cast and all the individual singers who put so much hard work into all the numbers, you must have all been worn out by the end of the show. Congratulations must also go to Charlotte McGrane for her innovative choreography.

I was a little disappointed to see that you started ten minutes late, which I assume was down to the late opening of the doors due to technical problems.

Despite the first half being a little loud! the second half more than made up for it, we could hear every word. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and thank you for your kind hospitality front of house, I am always made to feel welcome, and I look forward to being invited to your next production

Tony Winstone

NODA Representative – District 13