“You’re the names in tomorrow’s papers”
And so, after months of
preparation, weeks of rehearsals and hours of dancing feet, Darlington Operatic
Society signed off their 10 night run of Strictly Musicals to a huge standing
ovation. The rapturous applause and heart-felt cheering will ring long
into the night and beyond, well deserved by everyone involved in what surely
must be their best loved show ever. Not only has there been something to
suit all tastes in the audience, the whole cast have had a rare chance to star
in a show in which each & everyone has had a major part to play.
Right at the start of this
journey, I was invited by Joanne Hand & Julian Cound to come
along and watch some of the rehearsals. At that time, back when the days
were long and the school hall hot & sweaty, it was difficult to imagine
just how spectacular the end result was going to be – well difficult for me,
but Joanne’s experience and expertise meant that once the
individual numbers were set, learned and perfected the show would most
certainly become greater than just a sum of its parts. Considering that
at times there were 47 people on stage, Jo’s planning and
directions needed military precision to ensure everyone ended up
where they needed to be, when they needed to be there and were still singing
and dancing along the way. Those who have been to see Strictly will
surely agree that they have witnessed direction and choreography at its
very, very best.
It has been my absolute
pleasure to write this blog; as opening night neared I interviewed Samantha
(who made my mum cry) and Leighton (undoubtedly the cheekiest cockney
funster I’ve met), and then followed the show through its amazing 10 night
run. Along the way I have met many of the society, both on stage and off,
and I cannot pay them a bigger compliment than to say they have welcomed me as
one of their own into this amazing DOS family. Likewise, my thanks
go to Gillian Shevels as Chairman of the Society for her continued
support and permission in allowing me to watch the show to help write up
the reviews.
I would like to take this
chance to thank Michael Trotter, Musical Director, and Sarah
Carruthers, pianist, for not only their musical prowess and amazing skill
through rehearsals and the live shows, but also for not forcing me into
playing 3rd keyboard – I did watch Sarah a lot but my finger skills are rather
rusty these days (tho I can play a mean triangle). (And to Zoe and
Michael, thank you for helping me discover my feminine side)
Having watched &
reviewed over a hundred shows in the past few years I can, without a
shadow of doubt, say that Strictly Musicals has been the best;
not just for the content, the style, the variety of emotions but because it has
been performed and produced by people who honestly and truly love what they do.
Thank you DOS, you’ve made the town and the
whole region very, very proud !!
