I must admit, I find concerts boring and usually avoid them, preferring full shows which are more than one dimensional. However, knowing their high calibre, I had no hesitation going to see Bournville Musical Theatre Company and their showcase of Lights, Camera, Broadway! An excellent company and so well run, knowing just the right amount of audience members to cater for. You see, concerts by theatre companies are likely to only get a third of the numbers you would for, let’s say, Sister Act, so by scheduling two performances with a capacity of 200 –250, you are guaranteed sell outs. Far better than over optimism and half empty auditoriums. And that reflects with the feedback. A full auditorium is an energetic one, with passion to get the most out of the performers, and that was the case on this occasion.
Lights, Camera, Broadway launched in great style with two rousing numbers from Sister Act in Bless Our Show and Raise Your Voice, and it never dropped after that. Full of songs from shows that I have seen, this really was a great compilation. Easy Street (Annie), I Have Confidence (Sound of Music), Some Enchanted Evening (South Pacific), Don’t Rain on My Parade (Funny Girl) and Suddenly Seymour (Little Shop of Horrors) all stand out in my memory. But that’s not to say others were less good as all were of the highest quality. Even so, I did have favourites of the evening.
Rhian Clements’ delivery of Watch What Happens from Newsies was the first time I had seen it done well in a concert. Perfect. Then, Young Frankenstein is probably my favourite show out of all showcased on this occasion, therefore, Together Again, performed by Josh Goodwin and Dan Guzman was always going to rate highly on my list. My favourite number of the evening was by Chloe Turner and Ellie Bruce with Apex Predator from Mean Girls. However, I can honestly say that the performance of the night must go to Rachel Fox singing a song that I actually dislike, but was nevertheless strong, emotional, note perfect and outstanding in every department. One Moment in Time from The Bodyguard.
Also highlighted by full company was Ballad of Sweeney Todd, foreshadowing 2025’s main production from Bournville. I recommend it highly. Then, rounding off the night we had the company led excellently by Kristal Malin and Another Day of Sun from La La Land, a song I know well and was delivered equally so.
Production for Lights, Camera, Broadway was in the safe hands of Kristal Malin, who originated the idea, along with Stuart McDiarmid and Lily Moore, plus a whole host of choreographers. Musical direction was from the ever-consistent Chris Corcoran who oversaw and was part of a three-piece band which sounded so much more. Credit to Corcoran for this and the wonderful results in vocals, and I have no hesitation saying that in my opinion, he is the best MD in the Midlands (Apologies to the numerous MD’s that I have worked with and are my friends, but he is).
Cheers.
Antony N Britt
*Photos blatantly taken from social media.
Antony N Britt - Author 