Ware Musical Theatre
West End Shows Past and Present by Ware Operatic, performed at Ware Drill Hall, was a compilation concert containing some all-time classic musical numbers from some well-loved musicals such as Les Miserables and Anything Goes, as well as from some lesser-known gems such as Jersey Boys.
The show contained excerpts from no less than 16 different musicals. The vast variety of songs appealed to all ages and tastes with many different themes proving to be an entertaining and enjoyable evening.
This was a very good musical compilation concert by the society. It was very well compered and the audience was definitely in for a treat.
The whole evening opened with an arrangement by Teena Chinn of “Another Op’nin’, Another Show.” It worked very well with superb vocals and good diction all round. This number set the standard for which the rest of the show continued from.
Throughout this first act we saw fabulous performances from many members of the company. Modern and different interpretations of songs were preformed adding to the comedy and enjoyment value for all. The first half ended with a compilation of Rodgers and Hammerstein on Broadway leaving the audience wanting more from the second act and providing the talking point for the break.
Act 2 then opened with songs from Miss Saigon arranged by Ed Lojeski.
After the superb vocals and harmonies that ended act one we thought it would be hard for the company to top this but how wrong we were.
There were some excellent solo performances and choral singing, led extremely well as always by M.D. David Ranford.
All the soloists performed very well, but highlights for me were Sara Shaw singing “So In Love“ from Kiss Me Kate, Joanna Tripp performing “One Hundred Easy Ways” and my particular favourite, the medley from Les Miserables, which came at the very end of the performance. Wow! There wasn’t a weak link in the company and the audience was very enthusiastic about all the performances.
Lighting was appropriate to the various moods of the music and, although there appeared to be fewer members in the choir this year, the positioning of the chairs was well spaced so that every member of the company could be seen.
As always, Barbara Manning was faultless at the piano and James Reynolds gave us some haunting moments on his saxophone.
Well done to the company for an excellent evening’s entertainment and thank you for your generous hospitality.