Children In Musicals

22nd July 2021

VENUE The Norbury Theatre, Droitwich

DIRECTOR KIngsley Roberts

MUSICAL DIRECTOR Stephen Watkins

CHOREOGRAPHER Lois Press 

PRODUCER Pamela Watkins

Author: Bruce Wyatt

Having not performed for 20 months, the Debut and Spotlight section of Wymsical Theatre returned to the stage with a selection of musical numbers and scenes from a wide variety of children related musicals. As it was, the intended company of 14 was reduced to 9, due to the need for isolation.

After an initial uneasy start with the company’s ‘Fat Sam’s Grand Slam’ from “Bugsy Malone”, Georgie Levine and Lilli Chown brought some strength to the dialogue that followed and in ‘Tallulah’, Lilli provided a tuneful voice.

Two numbers from “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” by the Sherman Bros. followed, in which Kate Sutton sang ‘Hushabye Mountain’ well and Abi Young and Maddi Chown brought poise to ‘Truly Scrumptious’.

Lily Jepson-Haines and Lexi Ford gave a sweet portrayal of ‘Castle on a Cloud’ from “Les Miserables” which was followed by an entertaining version of ‘Do Re Mi’ from “The Sound of Music” by the company, led strongly by Jess Young as ‘Maria’.

Georgie Levine handled some tricky timing well whilst singing ‘Naughty’ from “Matilda” and the company were particularly strong when singing ‘When I grow up’ and ‘Revolting Children’.

Pippa Bond had a very nice voice suited to ‘Where is Love‘ from “Oliver!” and ‘Consider Yourself’ was a good company number to complete this section. 

Kate Sutton, Georgie Levine and Pippa Bond were probably the three strongest singers in the group when singing ‘Any Dream Will Do’ from “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and Evie Gwillam-Bakewell combined with the company for a great last company number with ‘The Sun‘ll Come Out Tomorrow’ from “Annie”.

Adults and children alike often hesitate to use down stage as much as is possible, which can help in putting the numbers over, nevertheless this was a determined performance from the very youngest of Wymsical and one to be proud of after such a challenging break from performing and one that was very welcome indeed.

Michel Legrand & William Finn

15th February 2020

VENUE Worcester Arts Workshop

DIRECTOR Tori Wakeman

MUSICAL DIRECTOR Stephen Watkins

CHOREOGRAPHER Britt Needham

PRODUCER Pamela Watkins

Author: Bruce Wyatt

Another most interesting concert performed by Wymsical Theatre Encore group with music from Legrand and Finn, two composers studied over just 6 weeks. The opening Company number ‘Heart & Music’ sizzled with great musical power, in fact all five company numbers were strong including ‘Windmills of My Mind’, with some impressive harmonies.

The remainder of the programme was fulfilled by a good selection of individual singers. Whilst some had softer voices than others, all were very tuneful and I was impressed with how everyone coped with what was a very challenging selection.

Ellie Morris sang ‘What are you doing the rest of your life’ with great poise and Sylvie Symons sang ‘I Will Wait for You’ well with nice facial expression. Amee Hall and Imogen Humphries with ‘Nobody Knows’ was well delivered and Clara Davies sang ‘The Easy Way’ with great expression. Will McCrea was excellent singing ‘You Got to Die Sometime’ and Amelie Prewer-Jenkinson, as usual, gave it her all in ‘Jazz Time’.

I liked ‘China Doll’ sang by Ruby Davies, Ellie Morris, Anna Waistell and Izzy Davies, including a very nice dance-break. Ruby Davies also sang ‘I speak six languages’ with great expression. I particularly enjoyed ‘The I Love You Song’ led by Izzy Davies with Ella Cain and Sam Nield.

Good contributions too from Niamh Thomas, (‘Papa Can You Hear Me’), Lucy Kirkby and Maya Treadwell Middle (‘The Way he Makes Me Feel’) followed by Emily Kitkat (‘Passover’).

The Company brought the Concert to an impressive close with ‘That’s Showbiz’.

The Seasons through Animation & Puppetry

8th February 2020

VENUE Worcester Arts Workshop

DIRECTOR Kingsley Roberts

MUSICAL DIRECTOR Stephen Watkins

CHOREOGRAPHER Britt Needham

PRODUCER Pamela Watkins

Author: Bruce Wyatt

The Debut and Spotlight groups presented this concert based around a good selection of musical numbers and readings associated with the seasons of the year.

A sequence from The Muppet Show opened the concert with the full company who were responsible for a selection of strong musical numbers particularly “In Summer” from Frozen and “Somewhere out there” during the Summer section.

The Spotlight group sang out well during “Carol of the Mice” from Wind in the Willows, which was followed by the Debut group dancing “Dance of the Reeds” led by Britt Needham – lovely to see Britt dancing beautifully en pointe.

Congratulations to Mimi Groves for performing “Flying Dreams”, Imogen Humphries, Lilah Payton, Beth Hughes for “Last Unicorn” and Briar Munn’s readings “When all the World is Full of Snow” and “Puck”. I would also like to mention William Fry and Fred Simpson, the only two lads in the company of 24, who spoke up so well.

The Debut group whose ages range from 5 years gave a sweet rendition of ‘A Blustery Day’ from Winnie the Pooh and the concert concluded with the full company number “Get Back Up Again” from Trolls the computer animated musical.

Once again Wymsical Theatre provided a challenging selection which the Debut and Spotlight groups presented well. Congratulations to all involved.

Frank Wildnorn & Jule Styne Concert

27th October 2019

VENUEWorcester Arts Workshop

DIRECTORRichard Taylor

MUSICAL DIRECTORStephen Watkins

CHOREOGRAPHERBritt Needham

PRODUCER Pamela Watkins



Author: Bruce Wyatt

For the current period of study Wildhorn and Styne were the chosen composers and another well- crafted concert was prepared with just six rehearsals, directed by Richard Taylor, musical direction by Stephen Watkins and choreography by Britt Needham.

I attended the first performance of two and should mention that for some numbers, the soloist work was shared and therefore this review reflects just those I watched which totalled over 20 out of total company of 29, therefore it becomes difficult to comment on all.

Part 1 opened with a strong and stirring version of Wildhorn & Murphy’s ‘Welcome to Wonderland’, led for the opening performance by Charlotte Fensom. This was followed by a sequence from Funny Girl and a sensitive rendition of ‘People’ by Issy Davies. Kaitlyn Norwood sang ‘Don’t Rain on My Parade ‘well, with a fantastic final note. I really liked Sylvie Symons version of ‘When I look at You (Pimpernel)’ which was sung with great feeling. The next section from Dracula included ‘Please Don’t Make Me Love You’ sung by Clara Davies with great depth of feeling and Niamh Thomas’ very wordy number ‘If You Hadn’t But you Did’ was funny and very well handled.

From Jekyll & Hyde, Ellie Morris sang ‘Someone Like You’ well and ‘In His Eyes’ sang by Amelie Prewer-Jenkinson and Megan Jones was portrayed with great heart. Molly Hill and Will McCrea led the company in a super ‘Dangerous Game’ and Sophie Rowberry plus company concluded Part 1 strongly, with ‘Mad Hatter’ (Wonderland).

Amongst some more good numbers in Part 2, Jess Young, sang ‘Make Someone Happy’ well and Sam Nield and Robyn McCollum were excellent with ‘The World will Remember Us’ from Bonnie & Clyde. Will McCrea and Ella Cain opened a bright and breezy section from Bells are Ringing with ‘Just in Time’ and Morgan Wolseley-Charles and Rosa Savage provided great personality in ‘All I Need Is The Girl’ from Gypsy, before the company closed the concert with ‘Together Wherever We Go’.

Whilst I have not mentioned everyone, everyone was totally committed in their performance and it was obvious the hard work that had been involved. Congratulations to all.

Grand Wymsical

21st August 2019

VENUEWorcester Arts Workshop

DIRECTOR Pamela Watkins

MUSICAL DIRECTOR Stephen Watkins

CHOREOGRAPHER Britt Needham

PRODUCER Pamela Watkins

Author: Bruce Wyatt

The numbers in this concert were all chosen by the Wymsical students and whilst I would normally have suggested that a programme of 37 was a tadge too many, the standard was such that we were swept along on a wave of music for which time was not an issue. The whole company were totally committed which makes commenting on individual performances difficult.

From the opening company number ‘The Rhythm of Life’, there was great power and other company numbers followed likewise including some great harmonies in ‘Alabanza’ led by Emma Sinden and Ruby Davies, an extremely funny skit on Les Miserables (‘More Miserables’), the HMS Pinafore Finale, through to Penny Ashmore and Company closing the concert with ‘French Military March’.

Part 1 was full off highlights including ‘Gimme Gimme’ by Molly Hill and ‘No One Else’ by Lizzie Jones, both full of expression, control and poise. ’They Don’t Let You’ by Dani Brennan captured the mix of country and opera completely and was very funny. Morgan Wolseley-Charles and Emily Kitkat showed great feeling in their respective numbers ‘Pilates Dream’ and ‘Please Don’t Make Me’. Alice Barker led a slick number and tap routine from ‘42nd Street’ and the duet ‘For Good’ between Amelie Prewer-Jenkinson and Megan Jones was well delivered with inner beauty. My only critism in Part 1 was the company were inclined to overpower the soloists in just a couple of instances.

In Part 2 the highlights kept rolling in including Ella Cain with ‘You Don’t Know This Man’ and an absorbing performance by Emma Sinden singing ‘Pretty Funny’ from the musical Dog Fight. Matt Street and Morgan Wolseley- Charles handled ‘The Museum Song’ well and Sophie Rowberry was excellent singing ‘Nothing’ from A Chorus Line. Kirsten Campbell-Ferguson and Lizzie Jones’ number from West Side Story ‘A Boy Like That’ was spine tingling and Sam Neild’s ‘Love Who You Love’ was very moving. On guitar Eddie Thomas led all the boys with ‘Down by the Riverside’ which was fun and Henry James sang the poignant ’So Little Time’ from Barnum well.

Another excellent concert by Wymsical Theatre, that was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Disney and Harnick & Bock

8th June 2019

VENUEWorcester Arts Workshop

DIRECTOR Richard Taylor

MUSICAL DIRECTOR Stephen Watkins

CHOREOGRAPHER Britt Needham

PRODUCER Pamela Watkins

Author: Bruce Wyatt

Despite many of the company busy working on GSCEs and A level exams, this end of term concert by the ‘Encore’ section gave us a great selection of musical numbers from the pens of Harnick & Bock and a variety of Disney themes plus others including a trip to Star Wars and a splash from Pirates of the Caribbean!

The opening sequence from ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ was led with strength by Eddie Thomas, Niamh Thomas and the Company, followed with ‘Matchmaker’ sang well by Sophie Rowberry, Jenny Ingles and Clara Davies. Clara then sang ‘Far from the Home I Love’ with great expression.

‘Scales and Arpeggios’ by the Sherman Brothers gave the opportunity for some strong part singing and ‘At Last I See the Light’ by Menken & Slater was sung with feeling by Ruby Davies and Matt Street. The lads; Eddie, Will, Matt, albeit outnumbered by the talented girls provided good support throughout and Morgan Wolseley Charles gave a spirited rendition of ‘Bella Notte’ by Burke and Lee.

The sequence ‘A Disney Entitlement of Princesses’ was a moving section, a highlight of which was ‘Colours of the Wind’ sang well by Hannah Jones accompanied by Rosa Savage, a lovely dancer.

‘Movie Star / Wealth’, another by Harnick & Bock, sung by Robyn McCollen and company was put over well and ‘Feed the Birds’ by the Sherman Bros. was very sensitively played by Issy Khogali and Charlotte Pye.

It is difficult to mention everyone but all the company numbers were strong including ‘Be Prepared’ one of the closing numbers and in addition to the dance sequences during the opening ‘Fiddler’ section the final number ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ gave another opportunity for the Company to demonstrate their dancing skills.

The company were smartly dressed in black and although the lighting was low at times, this did not spoil a great atmosphere which was maintained throughout the concert. Congratulations to all involved.

Barnum

18th April 2019

VENUE Norbury Theatre, Droitwich

DIRECTOR Tori Wakeman

MUSICAL DIRECTOR Stephen Watkins

CHOREOGRAPHER Britt Needham

PRODUCER Pamela Watkins

Author: Bruce Wyatt

This American musical is based on the life of showman P. T. Barnum, covering the period from 1835 through 1880 in America and major cities of the world, in 1871 he launched the traveling spectacle that would eventually become the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Wymsical’s ‘Phineas Taylor Barnum’ was played with complete command (by Matt Street on the night I attended). He delivered his lines including asides to the audience, with pace and clarity, and handled his musical numbers, some at great speed, exceedingly well. His wife ‘Charity’ (played by Beth Bullas on the night I attended) also proved an accomplished performer and brought a great feeling and understanding to the role. Beth too sang well and her Act 1 duet with Barnum was particularly moving.

The master of humbug, Barnum introduces us to ‘Joice Heth’ who is purported to be aged 160 years. Such was her portrayal it took a while to discover it was the somewhat very much younger Hannah Jones. Other characters are well played not least, Sam Nield as ‘Tom Thumb’, Sylvie Symons as ‘Mrs Stratton’ and in an appealing cameo as ‘Pierrot’, Ray Needham. Credit too to Morgan Wolseley-Charles who covered six other roles, all well played.

On the night I attended, Ella Cain fulfilled the role of ‘Jenny Lind’ the ‘Swedish Nightingale’ with a pleasing presence and accent, whilst Emma Sinden as the ‘Blues Singer’ sang ‘Black and White’ with power. But entertaining us throughout, from the foyer before the show began, making balloon animals, to juggling and linking the on stage action, was Eddie Thomas as ‘Ringmaster Bailey’. Eddie oozed confidence and personality.

This musical gave Britt Needham every opportunity to the polished senior and junior chorus to excel in all styles of movement and dance from tap to ballet. Full marks to the production team for incorporating the tiny mini circus clown bike, some confident plate spinners and the aerial antics of Imogen Gunter. Everyone was very well dressed with plenty of colour and the set conjured up a great atmosphere.

Initially I was concerned about the impact of 16 players in the on stage orchestra, in the intimate space of the Norbury Theatre, but the sound was generally well balanced; up beat when desired and soft when essential. Congratulations to the Director Tori Wakeman and the entire production team.

Jack and the Beanstalk

9th February 2019

VENUE Worcester Arts Workshop

DIRECTOR Kingsley Roberts

MUSICAL DIRECTOR Stephen Watkins

CHOREOGRAPHER Britt Needham

Author: Bruce Wyatt

This Dave Jeanes version of this traditional pantomime contains all you would hope for in its strong characters, jokes, some silliness, magic beans and a pantomime cow.

Imogen Humphries opens the action as ‘Squire Trebormint’ portraying the ruthless money grabbing landlord well, in his attempts to collect rent from ‘Mrs Spratt’ played as any traditional Dame should be, by Director Kingsley Roberts. As the only ‘adult’ in the company, his natural strength held the production together but never overpowered the Wymsical Debut and Spotlight youngsters in claiming their share of the stage. Even mistakes were hilarious and forgivable!

In fact there was no stopping Ben Fairest as ‘Jim Spratt’, whose smiling personality made an excellent impression also handling the comedy well. Brother ‘Jack Spratt’ played by Libby Fry also excelled and captured the heart of ‘Jill Trebormint’ a bright and talented Lottie Hill who also sang well, particularly her number in Act 2.

The Squires accomplices ‘Sharon’ and ‘Tracy’ played by Annabel Browne and Beth Hughes respectively spoke up well and their scene with the money borrowed by Jim and Jack to pay the rent was funny. Natalie Seyler was suitably slippery as ‘Slippery Sid’ exchanging beans for ‘Clara’ the cow (Rose Shepherd & Catalina Jalim) who dispensed a carton of milk (still in date), chocolates and milk stout in another funny scene.

There were some very nice musical interludes throughout the production, under the direction of Stephen Watkins and choreography by Britt Needham; including an effective fairy ballet sequence, a company number ‘Bring it all Back’ by S club 7, an opening Act 2 company number with acrobatics Lottie’s number ‘Hushabye Mountain’ and the closing company number ‘On a Wonderful Day like Today’ .

Briar Munn also gave a very notable performance as ‘Froggy’ and other good support amongst the named characters was provided by William Fry (plus the legs of Eddie Thomas) as the ‘Giant’, Lilah Payton as ‘Serena Bean’ and Amee Hall as ‘Cook’. All the Villagers, Fairies and Beanpeople gave their all making full use of the performance space.

The appreciative audience needed little encouragement to join in and we all gave our chuckle muscles a good workout!

Rogers & Hammerstein & Jukebox Musicals

14th July 2018

VENUE Worcester Arts Workshop

DIRECTOR Britt Packer

MUSICAL DIRECTOR Stephen Watkins

CHOREOGRAPHER Britt Packer

Author: Bruce Wyatt

To round off their summer term, 19 from the senior group ‘Encore’ aged between 14 and 21 years presented a ‘Juke-Box’ of musical numbers, predominantly from the pen of Rogers & Hammerstein, beautifully directed and choreographed by Britt Packer.

All the company numbers were strong, opening with R&H’s ‘It’s a Grand Night for Singing’ from ‘State Fair’. Following on, the range included ‘Mamma Mia’ headed by Lizzie Jones, ‘All or Nothing’ sung well by Beth Bullas & Will McCrea, and a superb version of ‘Shall I Tell Him What I’m Thinking’ from ‘The King & I’ sung by Ella Sutton.

It is difficult not to mention every number, but special reference must be given to another great selection from Part 2 including the opening number ‘9 to 5’ led by Ella Cain, ‘I am 16 going on 17’ sung with great feeling by Molly Hill and Emily Kitcat, ‘Wonderful Guy’ (Hannah Jones), ‘Go Now’ (Ella Sutton) and a beautifully sung version of ‘If I loved you’ by Issy Khogali, which held our attention like a magnet.

Although the boys ( Adam Blakemore, Eddie Thomas, Will McCrea and Sam Nield) were in the minority, they provided great entertainment throughout, not least in ‘Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby’ from ‘Five Guys Named Moe’ and ‘Down By the Riverside’ (Million Dollar Quartet). Best wishes to Matt Street who was regrettably hospitalised just before the performance. The finale of the show was a moving version of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ by the Company.

Although the company were undoubtedly strong, their enthusiasm at times over-powered some of the solo work, but this was a confident full on performance and a credit to Stephen Watkins musical support and the Wymsical Theatre, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Curtains

21st February 2018

VENUE Norbury Theatre Droitwich

DIRECTOR Tori Wakeman

MUSICAL DIRECTOR Stephen Watkins

CHOREOGRAPHER Britt Packer

Author: Bruce Wyatt

‘Curtains’ is one of the lesser known Kander and Ebb creations and yet undoubtedly requires the same level of commitment in performance and energy as the better known ‘Cabaret ‘ and ‘Chicago’. Wymsical Theatre did not fail in fulfilling this commitment, demonstrated by the obvious hard work that had been invested in the production. 

Set in 1959 Boston, Massachusetts the show is a send-up of backstage murder, mystery plots and follows the fallout when the leading lady, the supremely untalented star of Rob' Hood of the Old West is murdered during her opening night curtain call. It is up to Lt. Frank Cioffi, a police detective who moonlights as a musical theatre fan to solve the case, save the show, and maybe even find love before the show reopens.

‘Lt. Frank Cioffi’ is central to the unwinding plot and this is convincingly played and sang by Eddie Thomas. He believes that the leading lady is murdered by one of the company and so enforces a ‘lock-down’ whilst a new leading lady is found and rehearsals restart. ‘Georgia’ the company lyricist is selected and played by Ella Sutton with great presence and a strong voice. Both are supported by a long list of talented youngsters including Morgan Wolseley-Charles (‘Bobby Pepper’), Rachel Tudor (‘Jenny Harmon’), Will McCrea (‘Harv’), Beth Bullas (‘Bambi’), Matthew Street (‘Oscar’), Lizzie Jones (‘Nicki’). So too is Laurie Standish Hayes (‘Aaron Fox’) who sang ‘I Miss the Music’ with great feeling and Adam Blakemore as the theatre critic ‘Daryl Grady’ captured the typical essence of the press to either make or break a show, not without some amusing moments.

There were some great ensemble numbers including ‘Thataway’ at the end of Act 1, ‘He Did it’ and ‘In the Same Boat ‘(1 & 2) sang by Ella, Lizzie and Beth / Morgan, Sam Nield & Will, respectively. A great range of choreography and some superb costumes provided some other memorable highlights.

In support of the youngsters, the production team of the ‘show within the show’ added depth to the overall result with the feisty ‘Carmen Bernstein’ played with great strength by Pamela Watkins, ‘Sidney Bernstein’ (the producer you love to hate) played by Richard Taylor, with Kingsley Roberts (‘Christopher Belling’) and Stephen Watkins (MD & Sasha Iljinsky) in support.

The set was simple but effective and the orchestra played with great pace adding atmosphere to the era in which the show was set. The whole cast and crew should be pleased with the result and I look forward to other productions by this talented group.

Irving Berlin and Stephen Schwartz - Wymsical

9th December 2017

VENUE Worcester Arts Workshop Theatre

DIRECTOR Tori Wakeman 

MUSICAL DIRECTOR Stephen Watkins

CHOREOGRAPHER Britt Packer

Author: Andy Brown for Bruce Wyatt

Having seen Wymsical in the past it was a pleasure to attend their first public performance since joining ‘NODA’ a short while ago. Most certainly a welcome addition to the association.

We were treated to 17 musical numbers rehearsed during their regular sessions over the last six weeks. A total of 15 talented young performers aged from 14 upwards, including six young men, sang their way through many well-known, as well as other less know songs, from the work of Irving Berlin and Stephen Schwartz.

Their opening number from Wicked, ‘No One Mournes the Wicked’ was most certainly a taster for the rest of the two 30 – 35-minute slots. Each of the company numbers were sang well and well-choregraphed including tap dancing for ‘Putting on the Ritz’. Equally well thought out was the continuity between numbers, as well as where cast members positioned themselves ready for the next number and getting on and off the acting area.

In between the company numbers many of the group members sang either solos or duets. All performed their numbers well and all put in either the emotion and or movement needed for the number. The contribution of each person was good, and it is unfair to name any one individual over others because one would be bound to miss someone off. The whole company put in considerable effort and where respectful of each other’s work. The quality of singing was clear as I heard every word.

The final number ‘White Christmas’ became relevant. Only 12 hours later we all stopped dreaming of snow as Worcester had the heaviest snow fall for years – not that I blame Wymsical Theatre!

With proficient senior members of the company and budding newer members the future could not be rosier. The quote in the programme ‘The song is ended, but the melody lingers on’ is apt. Well done to the production team not least Tori Wakeman, Britt Packer and Stephen Watkins. The lighting was simply but effective.

I most certainly hope to attend future work done by these young people and especially look forward to seeing their production of ‘Curtains’ in February 2018.

Thank-you for inviting me and best wishes for future ventures.