REVIEW: ‘SONGS FROM THE SHOWS’

The Stage Door

THIS type of show tends to feature company members singing well-know musical favourites with the occasional twist of gender marking the difference. Producer Julianne Watling-McCarthy trod part-way down this well-trodden path but threw in several curve-balls along the way. With compere Malcolm Clarke knowledgeably linking each segment, the cast of eleven opened proceedings with Rent’s anthemic Seasons of Love before we were treated to thirty more delightful performances. Of the familiar faces to me, the highly-talented Vikki-Jo Keens, Elle Watson, Sarah Scorer and Adam Myers all met expectations but the equally notable contributions from hitherto under-my-radar Sarah Dally, Lyndsey Whettingsteel, Meg Parkinson, Hannah Scanlan and Sophie Tomlinson were very pleasant surprises. So, too, were Luke Stockton and drag-artist Aura-J who brought humour to match their vocal talent. Pob Wyeth, the current ‘go-to-man’ for sound, ensured that every lyric was clearly heard and the intimate nature of this atmospheric venue made this show hugely enjoyable.

Alan Johns