Musical Revue

From Celluloid To Stage was the theme for this year's Musical Revue - a brilliantly entertaining evening of song and dance numbers from shows that made their reputation first on screen rather than on the stage. Director Anne Sheehan and choreographer Ellie Barrs once more teamed up to produce some moments of high quality theatre, and their efforts delighted two packed houses at the beginning of Arts Week.

There was an impressive full-throated chorus opening to the show with Belle from Beauty and the Beast, followed by a cleverly crafted mix of solos, duets and chorus numbers, that produced both variety, and rise and fall in dramatic tension. Transitions between numbers were unbelievably slick, producing a seamless flow of dramatic entertainment.

There were too many numbers to mention each - highlights included Murray Grindon's eerily accurate John Travolta in Stayin' Alive from Saturday Night Fever, supported by highly professional backing vocals from Elliott Marchent and Alex Wynn. An hilarious Oompa Loompa from Willy Wonka bordered on the ironic, but if you thought about it too much on that level that you would feel it was worryingly sinister!

Summer Lovin' from Grease really rocked, counterpointing nicely the Elephant Love Medley from Moulin Rouge that followed. Emma Butler and Ronan Handcock were in fine voice, and blended superbly. Caroline Tecks' I Can Cook Too from On The Town was unbelievably mature, really capturing a genre sophisticated on many levels.

El Tango de Roxanne again from Moulin Rouge was outstanding, from Callum Brown's choreography, to Ellie Barrs' wonderful setting of the scene, and the magnificent Sophia Warby. All of which set the stage for Fame, the finale, led by Lucie Raleigh. Full of energy and punch, it brought an excellent evening to a superb end. Full marks to Musical Director Colin Albery, and the band consisting of Karen Fergusson, Henry Drysdale, Elliott Marchent and Tristan Marchent, for providing such a professional musical backdrop.