Based in New Milton, Hampshire
Movies and Musicals, Milton Musical Society, Performing Arts Centre, Ballard School
Saturday 8th November
THE outstanding aspect of this show was the brilliant choreography by Jo Mansfield and her assistant, Lucy Kelleher. It was lively, original and added so much to the evening. In fact, for me the night’s shining stars were dancers Aimie Leak and Lee McGowan, whose brilliant performances in several numbers made missing Saturday’s Strictly Come Dancing worthwhile.
It was brave of the company to attempt the unusual as well as the better known and to give almost all the members a solo. Consequently Disney’s Enchanted and Pocahontas rubbed shoulders with the likes of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, James Bond and Sweet Charity, and experienced soloists took their turn with others who would perhaps have been happier remaining in the background. However, all were, I’m sure, enjoying entertaining us, even if that enjoyment didn’t always show in their faces, some of which, although by no means all, at times looked decidedly gloomy.
But the evening was spoiled, unfortunately, by a bad sound balance that was partly due, I think, to over-loud backing tracks that frequently drowned out the singing and occasionally produced some alarming feedback noise. Surely the keyboard would have been fine on its own?
Linda Kirkman
Saturday 8th November
THE outstanding aspect of this show was the brilliant choreography by Jo Mansfield and her assistant, Lucy Kelleher. It was lively, original and added so much to the evening. In fact, for me the night’s shining stars were dancers Aimie Leak and Lee McGowan, whose brilliant performances in several numbers made missing Saturday’s Strictly Come Dancing worthwhile.
It was brave of the company to attempt the unusual as well as the better known and to give almost all the members a solo. Consequently Disney’s Enchanted and Pocahontas rubbed shoulders with the likes of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, James Bond and Sweet Charity, and experienced soloists took their turn with others who would perhaps have been happier remaining in the background. However, all were, I’m sure, enjoying entertaining us, even if that enjoyment didn’t always show in their faces, some of which, although by no means all, at times looked decidedly gloomy.
But the evening was spoiled, unfortunately, by a bad sound balance that was partly due, I think, to over-loud backing tracks that frequently drowned out the singing and occasionally produced some alarming feedback noise. Surely the keyboard would have been fine on its own?
Linda Kirkman
