Based in New Milton, Hampshire
Based in New Milton, Hampshire
‘Oh Wot a Lov’ly Parade’ sell-out show
MILTON Musical Society took its audience on a patriotic walk down memory lane with their colourful and vibrant production Oh Wot a Lov’ly Parade’ to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Poppy Appeal.
Billed as a musical Journey from the First World War to the ongoing conflict In Afghanistan, the beautifully put together show, directed by Margaret Coltman, sold out for every performance.
St Mark’s Church Hall was decked out with large Union Flags and bunting as the colourful troop of Can-Can dancers (Joanne Mansfield, Evie Shiner, Nicole Dupoy and Sue Verran) ensured an explosive start.
Beautifully designed costumes helped set the scene for a medley of full company numbers including ‘Goodbye Dolly Gray’,
MILTON Musical Society took its audience on a patriotic walk down memory lane with their colourful and vibrant production Oh Wot a Lov’ly Parade’ to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Poppy Appeal.
Billed as a musical Journey from the First World War to the ongoing conflict In Afghanistan, the beautifully put together show, directed by Margaret Coltman, sold out for every performance.
St Mark’s Church Hall was decked out with large Union Flags and bunting as the colourful troop of Can-Can dancers (Joanne Mansfield, Evie Shiner, Nicole Dupoy and Sue Verran) ensured an explosive start.
Beautifully designed costumes helped set the scene for a medley of full company numbers including ‘Goodbye Dolly Gray’,
‘Your King and Country’ and ‘Goodbye-ee. The duet between Christine Skidmore and Michael Pickford for ‘Time to Say Goodbye’ was, a memorable highlight.
Interspersed between the song and dance routines was a series of sketches ranging from the hilarious (The Home Guard) to the thought provoking (Flanders Field).
The Christmas 1914 ceasefire between German troops and Allied forces, when the soldiers stepped out from the trenches to share cigarettes, liquor and a game of and football, was also dramatised during, the first half.
Opportunities for the audience to participate were numerous and well known songs like ‘Keep the Home Fires Burning’ and ‘Empty Chairs’ helped to get everyone humming along.
During the interval the audience was treated to another British classic in the form of sausage and mash followed by spotted dick and custard served at the tables by the hard working cast.
The second half provided a snapshot of British life during World Two, with scenes
Interspersed between the song and dance routines was a series of sketches ranging from the hilarious (The Home Guard) to the thought provoking (Flanders Field).
The Christmas 1914 ceasefire between German troops and Allied forces, when the soldiers stepped out from the trenches to share cigarettes, liquor and a game of and football, was also dramatised during, the first half.
Opportunities for the audience to participate were numerous and well known songs like ‘Keep the Home Fires Burning’ and ‘Empty Chairs’ helped to get everyone humming along.
During the interval the audience was treated to another British classic in the form of sausage and mash followed by spotted dick and custard served at the tables by the hard working cast.
The second half provided a snapshot of British life during World Two, with scenes
darting between London, the countryside an underground bunkers.
Whereas the first half focused on the tragedies of war the second was an altogether more light-hearted affair with many popular nostalgic songs like ‘I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts’, ‘Knees Up Mother Brown’ and ‘Boiled Beef and Carrots topping the bill. The colourful dance troop also kept the tempo racing with a Jive to ‘Candy Man’.
The show’s finale featured a rousing selection of patriotic full company numbers including ‘Rule Britannia’, ‘There’ll Always be an England’ and ‘Land of Hope and Glory that ensured everyone In the audience were on their feet with Union Flags held high.
With a talented cast, beautiful costumes and first rate scenery, the standing ovation and enthusiastic cheers delivered by the audience at the end of the show were certainly well deserved.
R.W
©New Milton Advertiser.
Whereas the first half focused on the tragedies of war the second was an altogether more light-hearted affair with many popular nostalgic songs like ‘I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts’, ‘Knees Up Mother Brown’ and ‘Boiled Beef and Carrots topping the bill. The colourful dance troop also kept the tempo racing with a Jive to ‘Candy Man’.
The show’s finale featured a rousing selection of patriotic full company numbers including ‘Rule Britannia’, ‘There’ll Always be an England’ and ‘Land of Hope and Glory that ensured everyone In the audience were on their feet with Union Flags held high.
With a talented cast, beautiful costumes and first rate scenery, the standing ovation and enthusiastic cheers delivered by the audience at the end of the show were certainly well deserved.
R.W
©New Milton Advertiser.
