The Sainsbury Singers presented Strictly Musicals on 30-31 October 2010 at The Kenton Theatre, Henley-on-Thames and The Concert Hall, Reading on 13-14 November 2010.
It was the first time that the Society had staged a show of this nature. Unlike a usual production there was no hireable score, script, band parts, costumes, prop or set.
The Programme
- The Circle of Life (The Lion King) Jessamy Vincent, Brian Bretney, Chris Reeves and ensemble
- Mix Tape (Avenue Q) Louise Quelch and Sean Faulkner
- All That Jazz (Chicago) Lorraine Dobby and ensemble
- On My Own (Les Misérables) Abi Kirkwood
- Tonight Quintet (West Side Story) Stephen Cox, Sean Faulkner, Helen Cleeve, Chris Reeves, Emma Reeves and full company
- All I Ask of You (The Phantom of the Opera) Chris Thomas and Christina Wayman
- Master of the House (Les Misérables) Nigel Wilson, Lesley Vought and full company
- Once We Were Kings (Billy Elliot) Full company
- I am What I Am (La Cage aux Folles) Stephen Cox
- You Can’t Stop The Beat (Hairspray) LeeAnnBowsher, Sean Faulkner, Catherine Hannan, Chris Thomas, Brian Bretney, Helen Eggleton and full company
Interval
- Maquerade (The Phantom of the Opera) Carolyn Steed, Tracy Attridge, Michael Schult, Peter Cox, Lynn Harrison, Chris Faulkner and ensemble
- The Wizard and I (Wicked) Jessamy Vincent
- Super Trouper (Mamma Mia!) Kim Antell, Helen Eggerton, Beth Brummer and ensemble
- Tell Me It’s Not True (Blood Brothers) Tricia Goodchild, Nidel Wilson, Emma Prince and full company
- Reviewing The Situation (Oliver!) Peter Cox / Brian Bretney
- Cell Block Tango (Chicago) Kim Antell, Lesley Vought, Helen Eggleton, Catherine Hannan, Lorraine Dobby, Emma Prince and male ensemble
- There Is Nothin’ Like A Dame (South Pacific) Male company
- One Day More (Les Misérables) Brian Bretney, Chris Reeves, Helen Cleeve, Abi Kirkwood, Chris Faulkner, Sean Faulkner, Nigel Wilson, Lesley Vought and full company
The Cast
Kim Antell, Tracey Attridge, LeeAnn Bowsher, Brian Bretney, Beth Brummer, Godfrey Chigona, Helen Cleeve, Peter Cox, Stephen Cox, Lorraine Dobby, Helen Eggleton, Chris Faulkner, Sean Faulkner, Tricia Goodchild, Dan Groves, Catherine Hannan, Lynn Harrison, Chris Howard, Simon Hutson, Abi Kirkwood, Hilary Latimer, Pat Long, Emma Prince, Louis Quelch, Chris Reeves, Emma Reeves, Denise Schult, Michael Schult, Carolyn Steed, Chris Thomas, Jessamy Vincent, Lesley Vought, Christina Wayman, Nigel Wilson, Hannah Wyard
The Strictly Musicals Band
- Conductor and Keyboard Fiona Wilson
- Keyboard Anton Gwilt
- Flute, Piccolo and Alto Saxophone Nicola Fielden
- Clarinet, Alto and Tenor Saxophone Sarah Turvey
- Trumpet and Flugelhorn David Gray
- String Bass Dave Richmond
- Percussion Frank Hockney
Behind The Scenes
- Musical Producer Michael Stebbings
- Assistant Musical Producer Fiona Wilson
- Choreographer Kim Antell
- Production Co-ordinator Stephen Cox
- Production Assistant Jessamy Vincent
- Deputy Stage Manager Rebecca Wyard
- Lighting Designer Kim Hollamby
- Lighting operators Peter Harley and Barry Hollamby (at The Kenton Theatre) and Adrian Croton (at The Concert Hall)
- Followspot operators Peter Harley, Kim Hollamby (at The Kenton Theatre) and Heather Hollamby (at The Concert Hall)
- Wardrobe Mistresses Amanda Bretney and Vanda Hull
- Wardrobe assisted by Tricia Goodchild and Emma Reeves
- Makeup Louise Marshall
- Makeup assisted by Catherine Hannan and Kerry Woodley
- Programme Design Jessamy Vincent – with thanks to The Publicity Team and Nigel Wilson
- Publicity Team Helen Cleeve, Ruth Howard, Chris Howard, Emma Prince, Denise Schult and Jessamy Vincent
- Webmasters Nigel Antell and Brian Bretney
- Artwork Chris Howard
- Printing Print Wise
- Front of House Manager John Jones
Acknowledgements
Viv Cox, for her continued support and hard work; The Kenton Theatre Staff; The Concert Hall staff; The Sainsbury Singers Front of House Team; Trevor Defford; Fabricland, Reading; GTV Sports.
Gallery
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Reviews
Henley Standard
Musical show was strictly fantastic
THE Sainsbury Singers were at the Kenton Theatre last Saturday and Sunday to give a performance of their musical extravaganza Strictly Musicals. The show was packed with songs from West End and Broadway hits, including Phantom Of The Opera and Chicago.
This amateur society was formed as long ago as 1938, by Frank Sainsbury, a local man born in Reading, who was encouraged to sing as a boy to aid his recovery from double pneumonia.
This latest stage production took a selection of the best songs from well-known musicals to produce an enjoyable and varied programme, giving an opportunity for these singers to showcase their talents. A total of 27 cast members sing solos, duets and group numbers.
The programme comprised 18 arrangements, divided into two acts, encompassing older favourites such as There is Nothin’ Like A Dame from South Pacific and Tonight from West Side Story, through to modern classics such as All That Jazz from Chicago and You Can’t Stop The Beat from Hairspray.
If you missed this enjoyable evening of emotion and extravagance, you can catch it again at the Concert Hall, Reading on Saturday, November 13 and Sunday, November 14.
For tickets call 0118 988 2510 or the box office on 0118 960 6060.
Richard Rule
National Operatic and Dramatic Association London Region
“Strictly Musicals”
Saturday 13th November 2010
The Concert Hall, Reading
Henry Hawes – NODA Representative – Area 13
On Saturday 13th November 2010, I was invited to review the Sainsbury Singers latest production entitled Strictly Musicals at The Concert Hall in Reading and submit a short report. The programme consisted of a wonderful selection of songs from current musicals ranging from ‘The Lion King’, ‘Blood Brothers’ to ‘Mamma Mia’ and concluding with the number ‘One Day More’ from ‘Les Misérables’, giving a fitting climax to the evening’s entertainment.
Most of the number were well performed although there was a certain discrepancy in the ‘Tonight’ number from ‘West Side Story’ caused, I believe, by the overpowering amplification that was used. This type of amplification is totally unnecessary on the Concert Hall which has superb acoustics.I have performed many times in this venue when it was the old Twon Hall and there as never any need for this type of amplification.
The staging was good with the performers making attractive pictures, enhanced by wearing identical outfits. Certain numbers were augmented by choreographic routines which had been well thought out and performed. I did feel that the continuity of the show was spoilt by the company leaving the stage when solos were performed and then re-entering which caused long pauses when nothing happened, this could have been avoided if members had retired to the choir stalls at the rear of the stage.
The Strictly Musicals Band consisted of seven excellent musicians under the control of Fiona Wilson. Their accompaniment was excellent, being an integral part of the show, never over-shadowing the performers.
The lighting design by Kim Hollamby was atmospheric and well controlled, as were the two follow spots.
The programme was attractive and well laid out with all the necessary information contained within its cover.
Thank you for inviting me to review your concert and for your hospitality. May I wish you continued success with your next production, Oklahoma!
Henry Hawes – NODA Representative – London Region – Area 13