Barnabas
Park Productions
Date:
4th February 2017
Venue:
Burn Park Church
Type of Production:
Musical
Director/Producer:
Nick Thompson
Musical Director:
Suzy Wake
Choreographer:
Katrina Wake
Review
Author: Peter Oliver
The musical Barnabas written by Roger Jones follows the story of Barnabas the encourager and Saul on their missionary journey to Cyprus spreading the word of Jesus. This was the tenth religious musical that Park Productions had performed by Roger Jones following their foundation 25 years ago this year. This informative and moving musical was simply staged within the beautiful church of Burn Park, the content of this musical lent itself to this beautiful environment and Nick Thompson the director used the simplistic staging to enable the audience to feel part of the journey with the help of the visual overhead projection of Barnabas and Saul’s journey to Cyprus.
Music was in the capable hands of Suzy Wake who lead the Soloists and Chorus with the powerful musical arrangements, these were delivered beautifully the harmonies and the acoustics made the music come alive and it was clear that the group certainly enjoyed being part of the performance and the audience responded overwhelmingly. Choreography was arranged by Katrina Wake and the dance scenes were created aesthetically capturing the story and in keeping with the period.
The opening of the production started with the moving number “When we walk with the Lord” (Trust and Obey) beautiful sang by the cast and set the stage for this heart-warming and spiritual musical. Barnabas was played by Phil Outram, he delivered a powerful portrayal of the Cypriot Jew who was one of the prominent Christian disciples in Jerusalem, Phil gave a powerful portrayal of this iconic disciple and supported the cast and soloists with their musical numbers, I particularly liked “Back from the Dead” and “Three Men in a Boat” both beautiful sang but I liked particularly the latter which was set with a boat carrying them on the sea and the children chorus wearing seagull hats, visually this look good and sounded great.
Miriam, Barnabas’s sister was played by Kathleen Carter she delivered a strong portrayal of this character and her musical numbers were beautifully delivered I particularly like her duet” Travelling The Way” sang with Katrina Wake which also featured a solo dance delivered and choreographed by Rachel Wigham, I also enjoyed the duet with Elsie Davison, “O My Saviour, Lifted” which was accompanied by a solo dance performed by Katrina Wake who also played the role of Rhoda, Katrina acting skills has certainly developed over the past few years and has a beautiful singing range I enjoyed her musical duet “Like Rays of Sudden Heaven” which she sang with Hannah Bowerbank and the chorus.
Saul was played by Nick Thompson, again a strong performance from this talented young man who can act sing and now has turned his skills and talents to directing a great sense of feeling was portrayed in his performance and his vocals were strong, I particularly liked the musical number he sang with Barnabas, Miriam, Rhoda and the chorus “Reaching out for Power”. Jim Kirkland played the cousin of Barnabas John Mark, Jim has a wealth of experience and was able to draw on these skills to deliver this character with depth and emotion and his musical number were delivered beautifully with his strong tenor voice I particularly liked how he contributed to “Set aside Barnabas” and “Reaching out for Power”.
With all musicals the show would not be complete without a strong chorus and nice to see some new members joining the group well done to Audrey Horton, Joyce Howe, June Laird, Noreen Reay, Rob Whitfield, Brian Carter, Brian Gibb, Bob Howarth, Tom Hutchinson, Margaret Metcalf, Joan Stoddart, Jane Wigham, Robert Coats, Joan Hardy, Judith Howarth, Norman Kilner, Pat Punshon, June Whitfield, Rachel Wigham all of whom contributed to this polished performance well done to everyone involved and good luck to you all in this special year of celebrating 25 years of performance.
Park Productions
Date:
4th February 2017
Venue:
Burn Park Church
Type of Production:
Musical
Director/Producer:
Nick Thompson
Musical Director:
Suzy Wake
Choreographer:
Katrina Wake
Review
Author: Peter Oliver
The musical Barnabas written by Roger Jones follows the story of Barnabas the encourager and Saul on their missionary journey to Cyprus spreading the word of Jesus. This was the tenth religious musical that Park Productions had performed by Roger Jones following their foundation 25 years ago this year. This informative and moving musical was simply staged within the beautiful church of Burn Park, the content of this musical lent itself to this beautiful environment and Nick Thompson the director used the simplistic staging to enable the audience to feel part of the journey with the help of the visual overhead projection of Barnabas and Saul’s journey to Cyprus.
Music was in the capable hands of Suzy Wake who lead the Soloists and Chorus with the powerful musical arrangements, these were delivered beautifully the harmonies and the acoustics made the music come alive and it was clear that the group certainly enjoyed being part of the performance and the audience responded overwhelmingly. Choreography was arranged by Katrina Wake and the dance scenes were created aesthetically capturing the story and in keeping with the period.
The opening of the production started with the moving number “When we walk with the Lord” (Trust and Obey) beautiful sang by the cast and set the stage for this heart-warming and spiritual musical. Barnabas was played by Phil Outram, he delivered a powerful portrayal of the Cypriot Jew who was one of the prominent Christian disciples in Jerusalem, Phil gave a powerful portrayal of this iconic disciple and supported the cast and soloists with their musical numbers, I particularly liked “Back from the Dead” and “Three Men in a Boat” both beautiful sang but I liked particularly the latter which was set with a boat carrying them on the sea and the children chorus wearing seagull hats, visually this look good and sounded great.
Miriam, Barnabas’s sister was played by Kathleen Carter she delivered a strong portrayal of this character and her musical numbers were beautifully delivered I particularly like her duet” Travelling The Way” sang with Katrina Wake which also featured a solo dance delivered and choreographed by Rachel Wigham, I also enjoyed the duet with Elsie Davison, “O My Saviour, Lifted” which was accompanied by a solo dance performed by Katrina Wake who also played the role of Rhoda, Katrina acting skills has certainly developed over the past few years and has a beautiful singing range I enjoyed her musical duet “Like Rays of Sudden Heaven” which she sang with Hannah Bowerbank and the chorus.
Saul was played by Nick Thompson, again a strong performance from this talented young man who can act sing and now has turned his skills and talents to directing a great sense of feeling was portrayed in his performance and his vocals were strong, I particularly liked the musical number he sang with Barnabas, Miriam, Rhoda and the chorus “Reaching out for Power”. Jim Kirkland played the cousin of Barnabas John Mark, Jim has a wealth of experience and was able to draw on these skills to deliver this character with depth and emotion and his musical number were delivered beautifully with his strong tenor voice I particularly liked how he contributed to “Set aside Barnabas” and “Reaching out for Power”.
With all musicals the show would not be complete without a strong chorus and nice to see some new members joining the group well done to Audrey Horton, Joyce Howe, June Laird, Noreen Reay, Rob Whitfield, Brian Carter, Brian Gibb, Bob Howarth, Tom Hutchinson, Margaret Metcalf, Joan Stoddart, Jane Wigham, Robert Coats, Joan Hardy, Judith Howarth, Norman Kilner, Pat Punshon, June Whitfield, Rachel Wigham all of whom contributed to this polished performance well done to everyone involved and good luck to you all in this special year of celebrating 25 years of performance.