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Stars explained: * A production of no real merit
with failings in all areas. ** A production showing evidence of not
enough time or effort, or even talent, and which never breathes any real
life into the piece – or a show lumbered with a terrible script. *** A
good enjoyable show which might have some small flaws but has largely
achieved what it set out to do.**** An excellent show which shows a
great deal of work and stage craft with no noticeable or major
flaws.***** A four star show which has found that extra bit of magic
which lifts theatre to another plane. |
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Music and passion! Who could ask for anything more? 10th Anniversary Concert Youth Onstage
***** ON a day when it seemed that the 2012
summer had finally arrived in the UK, the Youth Onstage Company brought
their own form of sunshine to the Crescent Theatre with their 10th
anniversary concert. Taking an entertaining look back at all of their
musical productions, since the formation of YOS in 2002, the players
delivered a stunning concert that showcased their talent and abilities. For this young cast there was the inspirational
bonus to be playing with some former members who have either gone on to
study towards professional careers and those who are now working full
time in the entertainment industry, The evening opened with I've got Rhythm
featuring vocalist Lisa Sherlock who has just returned from engagements
on cruises. There was every possibility from that point that the
standard might have fallen, but it didn't and the excerpts from each of
their past performances were introduced with a slide show and then two
or three well produced songs from each musical. The team behind YOS seem to have a built a very
solid platform for musical theatre as the evening featured a wide range
of excerpts from classic shows like the 1930's Anything Goes
through to the more contemporary works of Hairspray and High
School Musical. It's paid off because everyone seemed at home
performing some soft shoe and traditional tap moves, or the Salsa in
Copacabana, whilst singing their hearts out to every number. Chorally throughout they were very good too,
opening the second half with a full company rendition of The Black
Hills of Dakota from Calamity Jane and achieving some complex
harmonies. It's not entirely fair to single out individuals
as each of the leads throughout the night were very good and there were
too many excellent performances to mention. What was clear though was
the benefit of further training and education in your craft as could be
seen with Gemma Hudson who returned for the performance after just
completing her training at The London School of Musical Theatre. Her
vocal ability and acting skill were outstanding and she will be someone
to watch out for. The company is not short on new talent though and
the standard of performance was very high which must be reassuring for
some of the younger members being supported amongst such a skillful peer
group. Another show featured was Me and My girl
with a very slick performance from the cast and Kieran Wallace which
included a very comical version of The Sun Has Got His Hat On, by
Dan Peet. The evening was just a glimpse at what this
company seems capable of and, if this standard continues, then unlike
the British summer, the future for Youth Onstage looks very sunny indeed. Jeff Grant |
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