Life Begins at 40
Date - 5th May 2016
Society - Vane Tempest Theatre Group
Venue - Enfield Methodist Church, Eastlea, Seaham
Type of Production - Concert
Director - Keith Armitage
Musical Director - Ben Wardropper
Report - Author: Peter Oliver
Vane Tempest Theatre Group presented “Life Begins at 40” as their latest production, this cavalcade of music was to celebrate their 40th Anniversary showcasing both the successes of the past and the challenges of the future. This was a very moving celebratory production and featured in the first half a cavalcade of traditional songs from some of the past’s memorable musicals with Suzanne Armitage and Lynsey Southwick narrating and informing the audience the history of each song performed. The second half brought a further cavalcade of songs from some of the greatest musicals of the present day.
Directed by Keith Armitage this was a well presented programme of music performed by some very talented people. Music was in the very competent hands of Ben Wardropper and what a fantastic job he did, not only did Ben coordinate one of the strongest and well-presented concerts that I have had the opportunity to attend during the time I have been in the position of Regional Representative but as well as playing the keyboard throughout the show he also narrated the second half, bring humour to the concert with a selection of jokes, which the audience found very entertaining.
The programme started with a full chorus number written by Irving Berlin for the musical, Annie Get Your Gun “There’s No Business like Show Business”, this set the tone for the remaining of the evening with song after song showcasing some talented artists to the audience's delight. Gemma Parnaby gave us a strong rendition of “Wouldn’t it be lovely form the musical My Fair Lady, before the full cast delivered a very competent rendition of “Get me to the Church on Time". Ruth Southwick gave a strong rendition of the “Trolley Song” from 'Meet me in St Louis' before moving on to the musical “Call me Madam” by Toni Harrison, Carolyn Adgar and Keith Armitage set the scene with “It’s a lovely Day” followed by Nick Antcliff, Keith Armitage, Robert Reynalds and Nick Thompson delivering a great rendition with fantastic harmonies of “Your Just in Love”.
We were then transferred to Siam where a very moving medley of songs from the ever popular “The King and I” with Ashleigh Hallmond in the role of Anna Leonowens and Debbie Finkel as Lady Thiang this was exceptional very moving and beautifully delivered, "Something wonderful." We then travelled to Oklahoma with Susan Ancliff as Laurie Williams and Julie Ann Marshall as Aunt Eller and the female chorus singing “Many a New Day” and “The Farmer and the Cowman” supported by Nick Ancliff and Keith Armitage. .Nick Thompson gave a very strong and beautiful rendition of “Go home with Bonnie Jean” from Brigadoon with Emily Harrison as Maggie, followed by Ruth Southwick as Charity from 'Sweet Charity' and female cast singing “Big Spender”. To end the first act Nick Antcliff as 'Stephen', Tassia Cole as 'Samantha' and Ruth Southwick as 'Lola' song the title song from Copacabana.
The second half opened with the whole cast singing “Let’s go fly a Kite” from Mary Poplins, Suzy Wake as Julie Jordan and Susan Ancliff as Nellie sang “You’ll Never Walk Alone from Carousel, beautifully delivered as was Lyn Swinburne and Laura Geary singing “Were a couple of Swells from Easter Parade. Jackie Wilson led the chorus “Your Love Keeps lifting me Higher”.
Nick Thompson and Laura Geary gave a show stopping rendition of the song “Benedictus beautifully delivered followed by the full cast singing “Eleanor Rigby." Ben Wardropper and the chorus sang acappella to a Billy Joel song “Longest Time" This was beautifully delivered before a sensational full cast version of "Bohemian Rhapsody." Ben Wardropper and Keith Armitage sang “If I didn’t have you “from Monster Inc before the whole cast delivered a masterful medley from “The Lion King” ending in “Circle of Life”. Without exception the whole cast worked together to ensure that they delivered a remarkable and enjoyable performance. Well done to everyone at Vane Tempest Theatre Group on an excellent performance and wishing you all the best for the next 40 years.
Date - 5th May 2016
Society - Vane Tempest Theatre Group
Venue - Enfield Methodist Church, Eastlea, Seaham
Type of Production - Concert
Director - Keith Armitage
Musical Director - Ben Wardropper
Report - Author: Peter Oliver
Vane Tempest Theatre Group presented “Life Begins at 40” as their latest production, this cavalcade of music was to celebrate their 40th Anniversary showcasing both the successes of the past and the challenges of the future. This was a very moving celebratory production and featured in the first half a cavalcade of traditional songs from some of the past’s memorable musicals with Suzanne Armitage and Lynsey Southwick narrating and informing the audience the history of each song performed. The second half brought a further cavalcade of songs from some of the greatest musicals of the present day.
Directed by Keith Armitage this was a well presented programme of music performed by some very talented people. Music was in the very competent hands of Ben Wardropper and what a fantastic job he did, not only did Ben coordinate one of the strongest and well-presented concerts that I have had the opportunity to attend during the time I have been in the position of Regional Representative but as well as playing the keyboard throughout the show he also narrated the second half, bring humour to the concert with a selection of jokes, which the audience found very entertaining.
The programme started with a full chorus number written by Irving Berlin for the musical, Annie Get Your Gun “There’s No Business like Show Business”, this set the tone for the remaining of the evening with song after song showcasing some talented artists to the audience's delight. Gemma Parnaby gave us a strong rendition of “Wouldn’t it be lovely form the musical My Fair Lady, before the full cast delivered a very competent rendition of “Get me to the Church on Time". Ruth Southwick gave a strong rendition of the “Trolley Song” from 'Meet me in St Louis' before moving on to the musical “Call me Madam” by Toni Harrison, Carolyn Adgar and Keith Armitage set the scene with “It’s a lovely Day” followed by Nick Antcliff, Keith Armitage, Robert Reynalds and Nick Thompson delivering a great rendition with fantastic harmonies of “Your Just in Love”.
We were then transferred to Siam where a very moving medley of songs from the ever popular “The King and I” with Ashleigh Hallmond in the role of Anna Leonowens and Debbie Finkel as Lady Thiang this was exceptional very moving and beautifully delivered, "Something wonderful." We then travelled to Oklahoma with Susan Ancliff as Laurie Williams and Julie Ann Marshall as Aunt Eller and the female chorus singing “Many a New Day” and “The Farmer and the Cowman” supported by Nick Ancliff and Keith Armitage. .Nick Thompson gave a very strong and beautiful rendition of “Go home with Bonnie Jean” from Brigadoon with Emily Harrison as Maggie, followed by Ruth Southwick as Charity from 'Sweet Charity' and female cast singing “Big Spender”. To end the first act Nick Antcliff as 'Stephen', Tassia Cole as 'Samantha' and Ruth Southwick as 'Lola' song the title song from Copacabana.
The second half opened with the whole cast singing “Let’s go fly a Kite” from Mary Poplins, Suzy Wake as Julie Jordan and Susan Ancliff as Nellie sang “You’ll Never Walk Alone from Carousel, beautifully delivered as was Lyn Swinburne and Laura Geary singing “Were a couple of Swells from Easter Parade. Jackie Wilson led the chorus “Your Love Keeps lifting me Higher”.
Nick Thompson and Laura Geary gave a show stopping rendition of the song “Benedictus beautifully delivered followed by the full cast singing “Eleanor Rigby." Ben Wardropper and the chorus sang acappella to a Billy Joel song “Longest Time" This was beautifully delivered before a sensational full cast version of "Bohemian Rhapsody." Ben Wardropper and Keith Armitage sang “If I didn’t have you “from Monster Inc before the whole cast delivered a masterful medley from “The Lion King” ending in “Circle of Life”. Without exception the whole cast worked together to ensure that they delivered a remarkable and enjoyable performance. Well done to everyone at Vane Tempest Theatre Group on an excellent performance and wishing you all the best for the next 40 years.
