ACT Reviews 2022-2023 Season

say that there are space restrictions but when you have a creative team of people that have excellent knowledge and experience in delivery of musical theatre, there is always a solution. The director, Gary Jones, used a number of screens which were projected on to show time lapses and changes of scenery. All the projections, especially those of the snow, created great ambience for the audience to get lost in. They also doubled up as screens to mask changes and characters entering and leaving the stage area. The choreography by Vicky Terry also had the constraints of space for such a large cast for this musical but with creativity this did not hinder the production. There was superb interpretation of music within the dancing, strong and soft moves, the use of different heights and shapes used the space available to its maximum. The use of ribbon as ice was really effective. The singing was accompanied by backing tracks but the musical director, Paul Lawton, had obviously worked hard with the company to get an excellent sound from them not only in the company numbers but also from the soloists. To sit and watch a youth musical should be, and was a joy. As the finale finished the parents, family, and friends of those in the show were very appreciative and applauded with vigour. However, there was a feeling of pride which surrounded me. Pride for all these young actors who were engaging in a genre of theatre that they were able to performwas something special. My thanks, and maybe I speak for those in the audience, goes to those adults who give of their time, knowledge and enthusiasm to guide, coach and heighten the sense of achievement in any of the art forms. Thank you for the opportunity to watch new talent being nurtured and I look forward to seeing you all in Jack and the Beanstalk next year.

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