Second year students of the Musical Theatre course took to the school' s main stage this evening for their public presentation and festive concert, A Christmas Cabaret. Director Ian Bennett wanted to show the students in the best light possible, and so chose, rather than following the traditional route of back-to-back Christmas tunes, to present four "potted" versions of musical shows which for him held the true meaning of Christmas summed up in word, family. Each of the four chosen shows represented family in four differing ways, but have love, undestanding, sharing, and caring at their hearts. These four would then be intespersed with a few Christmas songs. On a very personal level, I have to admit I preferred the musicals idea, although to call this a Christmas Cabaret was stretching the imagination somewhat. We had only four Christmas songs all evening, and the four female soloists were all dressed in dour respectable black, which was about as far removed from the idea of Christmas as it is possible to get.
No matter, the stage was a little more festive, with black and a white grand pianos to the rear, and cabaret style seating around the stage's periphery. A large screen behind the pianos afforded images to accompany and ameliorate each section, and minimal but sufficient smaller set items were used as required. Pianists Neil G Bennett and Nathan C Jarvis were dressed in sparkling jackets, and the auditorium music was seasonal. We were ready to begin....
In the 2.5 hours of this concert (including interval), we watched semi-performed versions of 'Dear Evan Habsen' (6 songs), 'Les Miserables' (7 songs), 'Rent' (6 songs), and 'Frozen' (7 songs). Costuming was appropriate and each section also semi-staged, giving the audience almost the full show in a very condensed form. Choreography (Nicola Glover) was excellent and apt throughout, and Neil Bennett's musical directing was tight and precise.
25 students filled the stage in each of these four sections, and many were given the chance to shine with leading roles, solo songs and acting. All of them we truly superb, and their knowledge and understanding of the requirements of their roles seemed way beyond their years. 'Dear Evan Hansen' is a show that I do not know and so was listening to the songs for the first time this evening, however the other three shows I know inside-out! This made it most interesting when watching tbe cast members perform their roles. The ensemble / chorus work in all for sections was truly lovely: the harmonies mostly completely secure and the cumulative sound lush and impressive.
As I have already mentioned, all performers this evening are deserving of high praise, [my companion this evening was visiting the college and watching a show here for the first time and was simply blown away!] and despite the evidence occasionally of some very understandable first night nerves, they all coped with some of Musical Theatre's most difficult repertoire excellently. Some of the songs are truly not easy to sing or interpret, whilst others are so well known that everyone thinks they know how it should be performed!
However, I am going to take the bull by the horns, and become a little subjective now dear reader if you will allow. I should like to make mention of just a few of tonight's performers, who, for this reviewer at least, tugged at my heart strings just a little more, or whose voice soared and sang sweetly and more melifluously just a little more, or whose acting ability swayed me into believing their character just a tad more. So here goes....
Thomas Cunliffe ("Waving Through A Window"), Niamh Kelly ("Requiem"), Daisy Garbutt ("I Dreamed A Dream"), Millie Callaghan ("On My Own"), Kaden Boote ("Bring Him Home"), Tilly Holah and Namumba Kawala ("Take Me Or Leave Me"), Niamh Kelly ("Winter Wonderland"), and Ellie Green ("Do You Want To Build A Snowman").
The whole evening was extremely slick with no announcements and hardly any pause between sections. The only slight issue was with the somewhat clunky removing of tables and chairs during the Les Mis section. The sound levels were perfect all evening, whilst creative and appropriate lighting and a little haze helped the scene setting immeasurably.
Once again, sincere congratulations to all 25 young students. A truly enjoyable evening watching the West End stars of tomorrow!
No mention of the Stage Management Team who do an incredible job! #justsaying
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