NODA Review

Society: Wembley Operatic Society
Production: The Sound of Musicals 2
Date: 26th April 2008
Venue: The Compass Theatre, Ickenham
Report by: Harvey Kesselman

In 2007, WOS staged 'The Sound of Musicals (Part One)' at this theatre that involved 31 adults and eight children performing 40 songs taken from various musicals dating from 1927 to the present day. This proved to be a very successful evenings entertainment. Now, in presenting 'Part Two', the company have excelled themselves. As with the earlier production, there was no actual set but the use of rostra at the back of the stage proved more than adequate.

For this production there were slightly fewer performers, 16 adults, 7 children and 36 songs. The format had changed from the 2007 production in that the songs used were not bunched together, according to the shows they came from, but were in no particular order. This made the whole concept much more interesting. Because there were so many people involved in this production, as with my earlier report on the 2007 production, I feel it is not possible to mention everyone by name but concentrate on some of the 'highlights'.

The opening number from Cabaret set the pace for what was to follow and the first full company number was the first indication of how hard the company had worked. There were (as far as I was concerned) two outstanding numbers in the first act; 'Do Re Mi', (Sound of Music) and 'Two Ladies' (Cabaret). The children in the first number were terrific in both their singing and reactions to what was being taught to them, and the second number was very funny. The company singing 'Prepare Ye the Way of The Lord/Beautiful City/Day by Day' (Godspell) was excellent and perhaps should have been the number that closed the first act. The second act proved just as good as the first and, I felt there were perhaps four numbers that stood out, the two extracts from 'Bugsy Malone' performed by the children were outstanding, 'Big Spender' (Sweet Charity) was terrific and the 'Requiem' (Lloyd-Webber), particularly the boy soprano, deserves a special mention. The dance routines were well performed, and all the various changes of costumes were made without a hitch.

The whole evening went with a swing, and the only slight criticism I have, was the amount of time spent between some of the numbers, when there was no set to be changed, leaving the audience looking at a dark stage with silence from the pit whilst waiting for the next song. There should have been some 'link' music to cover this gap. The delay between numbers only occurred a few times, but enough to make it noticeable.

The orchestra, under the guiding hand of James Hale, were splendid. I have to say I wondered whether the combination of Keyboard, Percussion and TRUMPET would work, and it certainly did!!! The choice of the songs was wonderful and Trisha Tebbatt is to be congratulated on her direction and her choreography. The two numbers choreographed by Diane Howden, 'Two Ladies' and 'Don't Tell Mama' were very good and the whole company responded well to both music and movement.
For this Friday night performance, a young person, Rebecca Cobb, took over the reigns of Stage Manager as part of her work experience. She controlled the running of the show in a true and professional way. There were no hiccups and all ran smoothly. If it is her intention to work in the theatre, there is no better way of getting experience than working back stage. Well-done Rebecca. Sarah Jay was ASM; Lighting was designed by John Jetten; Sound was in the capable hands of Denis J Cater; Costumes, Sue Mitchell, Margaret Morrison and Erika Parish. Thanks to Jackie Lack for looking after us.

Finally, I have to say this was a first class entertainment. The whole company had worked hard and the result was excellent. Their enthusiasm was infectious and came across to the audience. Although I have only mentioned a few highlights, this in no way meant other solos and chorus numbers were not up to standard, indeed they were. The singing and dancing by the whole company was very enjoyable, and the whole evening was joyous. Congratulations WOS.

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