Celebrating 25 Years
Park Productions
Date:
30th September 2017
Venue:
Burn Park Church
Type of Production:
Concert
Director:
Nick Thompson
Musical Director:
Suzy Wake
Choreographer:
Katrina Wake & Suzy Wake
Review
Author: Peter Oliver
It is always a pleasure to visit Park Productions and this visit was extra special as 2017 celebrates the society’s 25th anniversary and it was so good to see some original members as well as new members taking part in this special concert to celebrate their anniversary. Founder member Suzy Wake who was instrumental in the foundation of the Society continues as Musical Director and what a fantastic job she has done over the years developing and coaching the members with the vocals and harmonies and it was obvious from the performance that her skills had been put to good use. Nick Thompson is the society’s Director and he ensured that the programme showcased a compilation of music from previous performances and I was not surprised to see that there was a section dedicated to songs from the writer of religious musicals, Roger Jones which the group has performed to present ten of his musicals over their existence. Movement and dance was choreographed by Katrina and Suzy Wake and special mention must also go to Philip Wake for sound and lighting.
The unique and interesting programme was divided into four sections, the first section was musical numbers from previous shows and commenced with the whole chorus singing “No Business Like Show Business” from the iconic musical Annie get your Gun, this was followed by Suzy Wake and Nick Thompson sing from the same show “Anything You Can Do” which turned out to be a great comedy number, the chorus gave a good rendition of “Lullaby of Broadway” with some good choreography by Katrina Wake before the chorus sang the beautiful song “Edelweiss” from the musical “Sound of Music” excellent harmonies with nice key changes, beautifully sang, there was a lovely duet from Margaret Metcalfe and Jim Kirkland singing the song “I Remember It Well” from Gigi, the chorus then delivered a dance routine to “You can’t stop the beat” before Suzy Wake ended the first section with the beautiful song from Carrousel “If I Loved You”.
The second section was songs from the musicals written by Roger Jones, I particularly enjoyed this section and what makes this society unique, the section opened with Tom Hutchinson and June Whitfield singing “Everlasting Joy” from Angel Voices, I enjoyed the musical interpretation of “Sheep” from the musical While Shepherds’ Watched delivered by Suzy Wake, Kathleen Carter, Phil Outram and the chorus. A beautiful duet followed by Suzy and Katrina Wake, “When I Survey” from Saints Alive, Elsie Davison and Kathleen Carter delivered a lovely portrayal of “O My Saviour Lifted” from the musical Barnabas this was followed by Katrina Wake, Nick Thompson and the chorus singing “This child to come” from The Inn Crowd, absolutely beautiful, well sang and uplifting. This section ended with the chorus singing and dancing to “Praise the Lord” from Mary Magdelene.
Section three was musical numbers new to the society and opened with the whole chorus who sang and danced to the musical number “One” from The Chorus Line which was followed by Nick Thompson singing “Could Have, Would Have Should Have”, from the musical Around the World in 80 Days, this was beautifully delivered and well sang, the chorus then delivered Andrew Lloyd Webber in Concert Medley this was well sang by all the soloists and chorus and was well received and joined in by the audience. Katrina and Nick sang “Falling Slowly” from the musical “Once” again well sang and I loved how Katrina accompanied this musical number playing the guitar, the chorus delivered an enthusiastic rendition of “Deadwood Stage” from Calamity Jane before the female chorus ended this section with the fantastic number “Raise Your Voice” from Sister Act.
The final section was a Wartime Sing-a-Long, starting with a funny drama excerpt “Down The Tubes” by Freda Brennan, this was followed by the popular war time song “Pack Up Your Troubles/ It’s a long Way to Tipperary, Brian Gibb and Joyce Howe delivered the popular song “Quarter Master’s Stores” followed by a lovely performance of “White Cliffs of Dover” from June Whitfield, Margaret Metcalfe and the chorus. The concert ended with the chorus and audience singing “When You’re Smiling”
This was a great celebration of 25 years of entertainment which captured the music and talent of Park Productions, well done to all the cast including the chorus, Hannah Bowerbank, Bob Howarth, Joan Stoddart, Rob Whitfield, Alwyn Coates, Joan Hardy, Pat Punshon, Jane Wigham, Robert Coates, Audrey Horton, Noreen Reay and Rachel Wigham they all contributed to the overall successes of both the celebration of 25 years and the continuation of Park Productions. Well done to everyone involved and wishing you all the best for the next 25 years
Park Productions
Date:
30th September 2017
Venue:
Burn Park Church
Type of Production:
Concert
Director:
Nick Thompson
Musical Director:
Suzy Wake
Choreographer:
Katrina Wake & Suzy Wake
Review
Author: Peter Oliver
It is always a pleasure to visit Park Productions and this visit was extra special as 2017 celebrates the society’s 25th anniversary and it was so good to see some original members as well as new members taking part in this special concert to celebrate their anniversary. Founder member Suzy Wake who was instrumental in the foundation of the Society continues as Musical Director and what a fantastic job she has done over the years developing and coaching the members with the vocals and harmonies and it was obvious from the performance that her skills had been put to good use. Nick Thompson is the society’s Director and he ensured that the programme showcased a compilation of music from previous performances and I was not surprised to see that there was a section dedicated to songs from the writer of religious musicals, Roger Jones which the group has performed to present ten of his musicals over their existence. Movement and dance was choreographed by Katrina and Suzy Wake and special mention must also go to Philip Wake for sound and lighting.
The unique and interesting programme was divided into four sections, the first section was musical numbers from previous shows and commenced with the whole chorus singing “No Business Like Show Business” from the iconic musical Annie get your Gun, this was followed by Suzy Wake and Nick Thompson sing from the same show “Anything You Can Do” which turned out to be a great comedy number, the chorus gave a good rendition of “Lullaby of Broadway” with some good choreography by Katrina Wake before the chorus sang the beautiful song “Edelweiss” from the musical “Sound of Music” excellent harmonies with nice key changes, beautifully sang, there was a lovely duet from Margaret Metcalfe and Jim Kirkland singing the song “I Remember It Well” from Gigi, the chorus then delivered a dance routine to “You can’t stop the beat” before Suzy Wake ended the first section with the beautiful song from Carrousel “If I Loved You”.
The second section was songs from the musicals written by Roger Jones, I particularly enjoyed this section and what makes this society unique, the section opened with Tom Hutchinson and June Whitfield singing “Everlasting Joy” from Angel Voices, I enjoyed the musical interpretation of “Sheep” from the musical While Shepherds’ Watched delivered by Suzy Wake, Kathleen Carter, Phil Outram and the chorus. A beautiful duet followed by Suzy and Katrina Wake, “When I Survey” from Saints Alive, Elsie Davison and Kathleen Carter delivered a lovely portrayal of “O My Saviour Lifted” from the musical Barnabas this was followed by Katrina Wake, Nick Thompson and the chorus singing “This child to come” from The Inn Crowd, absolutely beautiful, well sang and uplifting. This section ended with the chorus singing and dancing to “Praise the Lord” from Mary Magdelene.
Section three was musical numbers new to the society and opened with the whole chorus who sang and danced to the musical number “One” from The Chorus Line which was followed by Nick Thompson singing “Could Have, Would Have Should Have”, from the musical Around the World in 80 Days, this was beautifully delivered and well sang, the chorus then delivered Andrew Lloyd Webber in Concert Medley this was well sang by all the soloists and chorus and was well received and joined in by the audience. Katrina and Nick sang “Falling Slowly” from the musical “Once” again well sang and I loved how Katrina accompanied this musical number playing the guitar, the chorus delivered an enthusiastic rendition of “Deadwood Stage” from Calamity Jane before the female chorus ended this section with the fantastic number “Raise Your Voice” from Sister Act.
The final section was a Wartime Sing-a-Long, starting with a funny drama excerpt “Down The Tubes” by Freda Brennan, this was followed by the popular war time song “Pack Up Your Troubles/ It’s a long Way to Tipperary, Brian Gibb and Joyce Howe delivered the popular song “Quarter Master’s Stores” followed by a lovely performance of “White Cliffs of Dover” from June Whitfield, Margaret Metcalfe and the chorus. The concert ended with the chorus and audience singing “When You’re Smiling”
This was a great celebration of 25 years of entertainment which captured the music and talent of Park Productions, well done to all the cast including the chorus, Hannah Bowerbank, Bob Howarth, Joan Stoddart, Rob Whitfield, Alwyn Coates, Joan Hardy, Pat Punshon, Jane Wigham, Robert Coates, Audrey Horton, Noreen Reay and Rachel Wigham they all contributed to the overall successes of both the celebration of 25 years and the continuation of Park Productions. Well done to everyone involved and wishing you all the best for the next 25 years