From Page To Stage is the title, not of a scratch night or evening of reheased readings, but instead, is a celebration of Musical Theatre presented in concert revue style by The East Cheshire Musical Company at Salford's Empty Space Theatre.
Dressed down in company t-shirts and their own choice of trousers / skirts, and with nothing but "the empty space" of the stage to help their performances (save a few hand props), this did look a little more like a rehearsal than a performance this evening. If the company were to wear a uniform top half, then also surely, some uniformity below would have been optimal. However, working with what they had, this group of 20 performers ably and enthusiastically took us through the music of six well known and popular musicals this evening.
Starting with 4 numbers from Sondheim's 'Into The Woods', we were suddenly whisked seamlessly away to the world of Elle Woods and songs fom 'Legally Blonde'; whilst the first act finished with six of the ensemble portraying the wives of Henry VIII in three songs from the smash hit musical, 'Six'. Act two started with Kander and Ebb's take on the inter-war years' Berlin with songs from 'Cabaret'. This then morphed into four numbers from Stephen Schwartz's backstory to The Wizard Of Oz, with 'Wicked', and the company finished - still in green-mode, with songs from the evergreen Shrek.
Lighting was minimalist this evening, with most of the solos or small ensemble songs being sung within a square of light. However, the extremeties of this square were poorly lit and so we were often shown shadows and partially lit faces. We had some mic issues during the first act this evening, but the company continued stalwartly, and these problems had been fixed for the second act, however, for some reason the volume switch had been turned up, and what was aurally perfect in the first act was now too loud for the second. Live music in the form of a very small ensemble at the side of the stage supplied the music and were note perfect and sounded great all evening, under the directin of Ed Nurse.
With twenty performers and twenty three songs from six shows, I am not going to mention all, suffice to say that the entire company worked extremely well together making a lovely ensemble, with apt and naturalistic choreography by Heidi Fletcher. Obviously though, there are always songs which are personal favourites, and so, dear reader, please allow a little subjectivity, whilst I mention the three songs which, for me at least, were the most pleasing. First was Maria Collins and her rendition of 'Heart Of Stone' from 'Six'. Next was Francesca Bowman's interpretation of 'Mein Herr' from 'Cabaret'; and finally, again in the second act, I enjoyed Charlie Hawkins singing, "The Wizard And I" from 'Wicked'.
The East Cheshire Musical Company had had to postpone their planned musical this year due yo their usual venue being unavailable, and so instead found a way of presenting not just one, but six, and showcasing the talents of their current company in the process.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 25.4.24
