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Press Reviews
Here you will find reviews of recent productions taken from the local press.
LEE MEAD SHOW. Grimsby Evening Telegraph 24th August 2010 WEST End star Lee Mead proved he was all heart as he performed at a charity concert for the Big Red Heart Appeal – only to be "upstaged" by a Grimsby theatre group. The star took to the stage in front of 700 fans who had turned out for the summer gala concert at the Grimsby Auditorium – raising a massive £15,000 for the charity. Launched in February, the Grimsby Telegraph-backed appeal aims to raise £2 million over the next two years to radically overhaul cardiac services at the Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital. MC for the concert David Wrightam welcomed the singing star on to the stage following a stunning opening medley of Abba songs by Curtain Up Productions – formerly known as the Grimsby And Cleethorpes Operatic Society. The group also performed songs from West End shows Hairspray and Wicked – which Lee is currently starring in – prompting him to lavish them with the ultimate praise, telling them they were "better" than him. APPLAUSE! Grimsby Evening Telegraph 28th April 2010
THATS WHY ITS CALLED "APPLAUSE"... APPLAUSE, the new show from Curtain Up Productions, formerly Grimsby and Cleethorpes Operatic Society, sizzles from the opening note to the final refrain.
Under the co-directorship of Stephen Campbell and Caroline Maasdam-Gooch, its a toe tapping excursion around some of the best musicals of the last 50 years. That opening note evokes the spirit of flower power as Jeanine Ridha leads the company in a stimulating set of numbers from Godspell. A rousing version of Hair’s Aquarius allows the company to continue the theme before a change of mood with a selection from West Side Story. Sarah Hagerup and Emma Bath prove an entertaining partnership on America whilst Jody McCutcheon and the gentlemen of the company introduce a comedic element with their Officer Krupke routine. Meanwhile, a set titled Jazz Club opens with Big Spender from Sweet Charity though, on closer inspection, not all the ladies are quite what they seem! In the second act, we are transported to the Land of Oz for a quintet of numbers from Wicked that includes a strong duet from Katie Oddie and Nicola McGrath on One Short Day. Rebecca Hill and Hayley Wrightam are the shows choreographers and the excellent Thriller routine is definitely not for those of a nervous disposition. When it comes to Oliver, no expense is spared with three Fagins for the price of one as Andrew Bailey, Ian Jones and Gary Howson distract us as they Pick A Pocket Or Two. Who Will Buy? is outstanding and sees excellent harmonies from Becky Everitt, Helen Kent, Hayley Coupland, Amy Wilson and Andrew Bailey whilst Gemma Williams delivers an emotive As Long As He Needs Me. This show is a whistle-stop tour of fourteen musicals and at every stage along the way; you’ll be applauding... which just could be why its called Applause. Curtain Up! II Grimsby Evening Telegraph 29th March 2007
A Polished Performance If life is a cabaret, these songsters are living it to the full. Curtain Up! II, Grimsby and Cleethorpes Amateus Operatice Society, Cleethorpes Memorial Hall. Last night, Cleethorpes Memorial Hall came alive with the sound of music at Grimsby and Cleethorpes Amateur Operatice Society opened its run of Curtain Up! II. The group is singing its way through the history of musical theatre this week, and all your favourites are incldued. The show includes all the West End classics from The Sound of Music and Sunset Boulevard, to The Rocky Horror Show and We Will Rock You. And from last night's performance, it is clear a great deal of time and effort has gone into making this production. The group might do well to think about dropping the workd "amateur" from its title. Particularly outstanding was Emma McCutcheon, who paired up with her mother, Jeannine Ridha, to tell the story of The Loney Goatherd, complete with attractive pink wigs and a sprinkling of lederhosen. There were far too many excellent solos to mention them all, but this reporter happens to be a Lion King fan. Holly Robinson makde a brilliantly cheeky Simba and had fantastic chemistry with Lee Peart as the crotchety Zazu. Kids Game, from Blood Brothers, illustrated perfectly just how well the group can work together, while injecting a healthy dose of juvenile humour into proceedings. Ten blokes in tutus is a guaranteed crowd pleaster, while Amy Wilson warmed the audience's hearts with one of my favourite muscial numbers with Somewhere That's Green, from Little Shop of Horrors. And Adam Anderson deserves a mention as the sweetest transvestite this side of Transsexual Transylvania. Emma McCutcheon took a moment out from saking her tail feathers to congratulate the group on all its hard work. She said "Now that we have a few more younger members we are really moving forward with the times. Everybody has really enjoyed themselves, and it shows." Of course, no show is perfect, and everyone can benefit from constructive criticism. My reccomendation. Charge more for Tickets! Sharon Baker SOCIETY SHOWCASES OUTSTANDING MUSICAL When the curtain’s up, it’s make or break time. And boy did the Grimsby & Cleethorpes Amateur Operatic Society cast of Curtain Up! make it. To call it a show is an understatement – Curtain Up! is a veritable celebration of the greatest musicals of our time. A surprisingly young cast authentically recreated classics like Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair, the Ascot Gavotte and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocius While the more experienced members showcased their skills with hems like Ol’ Man River and Chim Chim Cheree. Hayley Wrightam stood out with her usual fantastic stage presence and gave a stunning rendition of Cabaret. Elsewhere, Tom Scott gave faultless performances of On The Street Where You Live and was characteristically theatrical throughout. You are drawn to Scott as you are with Wrightam, and both dominated several of the company ensembles. Although faltering half-way through Oliver’s As Long As He Needs Me, Melanie Allan remained calm enough to deliver an excellent recreation of Cockney tart Nancy. Sophie Powles, fresh from her role in TV’s Dalziel And Pascoe, was truly lovely with her rendition of Wouldn’t It Be Lovely. Director James Clark and Musical Director gradually raised the bar as the production progressed, and successfully built up to a rip-roaring finale of classic Grease numbers. Chorographers Becky Fielding and Hayley Wrightam injected a touch of magic throughout – with local playwright and Hayley’s father David as compere – and it was clear that the cast has been practicing the moves for months. Overall, Curtain Up! delivers on several levels but its success is down to one thing: musicals attract mass appeal. The West End has truly come to Cleethorpes this week.
Curtain Up! runs until Saturday with tickets still available from the Caxton Box Office in Grimsby Central Library (01472) 346251 or nightly from 7pm on the door.
42nd Street Review | Grimsby Telegraph | Wednesday, November 9, 2005 42ND STREET SPARKLES What a success! Six months of hard rehearsals really shines through as this all-singing, all-dancing, cast bring the Broadway fairytale 42nd Street to life with sparkle. The story pays homage to the classic tale of the chorus line dancer who becomes the star of the show when the leading lady drops out. In this take, the show is titled Pretty Lady, with petulant stage legend Dorothy Brock (Sarah Hagerup) in the lead as the mercurial Julian March (David Wrightam) directs. This Grimsby Auditorium is a fine setting for re-telling the tale.
New operatics director Martyn Knight really stamps his authority and style on this production and you will not be disappointed.
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Sophie Powles is chorus hopeful Peggy Sawyer who becomes the star. She gives a terrific all round performance that belies her youth and is given excellent support by the cast. Mr Marsh’s assistant Maggie , played by Jeannine Ridha, is fantastic value, providing brilliant comedy character acting and singing. She was easily the audiences favourite, alongside David Wrightam’s virtuoso performance as Marsh. Sarah Hagerup summed up stage legend Ms Brock very well, while James Clark, playing leading man Billy Lawlor, had the pick of the male voices. My favourite character through was Tom Scott as dance coach Andy Lee. His energy, talent and attitude in every number is surely a prelude to many starring roles.
email to gcaos2007@ntlworld.com
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