Association of Community Theatre

IN CONCERT 2018

The Three Towns Operatic Society

Musical Director: Rod Dakin

 

This annual concert attracted a large audience. To add to their evening’s enjoyment there was cabaret table seating and the bar was open.

 

Music with a smattering of link dialogue was the format and it included an informative narration, entertainingly delivered by David Hill.

 

Presentation of a concert is all important; this was a company of 27 ladies and 15 men. The ladies were in black and white with a red accessories and the men in Dinner Jackets with red bows; this gave real elegance to the proceedings.

 

The focus was purely on the interpretation and delivery of the music. The programme ranged from a collection of music from musical theatre standards to a Beach Boys’ medley. These musical excerpts were not simply taken from the musical score: they had excellent arrangements for ensemble singing. A Memorable highlight of the evening was John Rutter’s arrangement of “Sing a Song of Sixpence”. The M.D. brought out the best of each vocal section of the company, capturing the composer’s and arranger’s conceptualisations. All sections were balanced and secure, ably supported by Nicola Darnell at the piano with the reliable “Page-Turner”, Irene Smith.

 

The varied content included Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love” and “Seasons of Love” from Rent and, to give a contrast, solos were introduced. From Jean Forrester working the audience with “Funiculi Funicular” and a soulful rendering by Winston Carmichael of “Going Home” there was something for everyone. The Gilbert and Sullivan selection sadly did not quite reach the standard of the other pieces. The encore piece, “Lullaby of Broadway” was given the seal of approval by the audience. Their response indicated their enjoyment of this society’s musical miscellany.