Preston Musical Comedy Society

MUSIC HALL MAGIC
PRESTON MUSICAL COMEDY SOCIETY
PRESTON PLAYHOUSE,  9-12 June 2010

I feared the worst, It was the first production by this company that I had ever attended and this is the type of show that can be the last resort when all attempts to cast a play fail and someone says, ‘we’ll have to do a revue’.

But this was different. This was a magnificent, fast-moving show, a tribute to everyone concerned with Preston Musical Comedy Society. The costumes were glamorous, the singing superb, especially the harmonies, and the dancing first rate.

The band, led by MD Jim Thomas and featuring Chris Hodder on bass, Tony Harrison on drums and some brilliant keyboard playing by Brendan Gardner, were so good they could have carried the night on their own in any dance hall in Britain.

The audience joined in all the familiar tunes like ‘Burlington Bertie’, ‘Sunshine of your Smile’, ‘The Lambeth Walk’, etc. My favourite was Donatella Banks as Marie Lloyd with ‘My old man.’ And people think the Sixties had all the best songs!

There was a breathtaking Can Can scene and some nifty hoofing in a tap dance routine to ’Get happy’, both choreographed by Lorna Cookson.

There was even a hilarious send-up of a Victorian melodrama, ‘Pretty Pansy’s Sacrifice’, with Eddie Regan booed enthusiastically as the dastardly wicked landowner, and Alan Almond showed his ‘Good Old Days’ credentials as the Chairman.

The sets representing the seaside and an East End pub added to the carnival atmosphere and all the cast, too many to mention, looked like they were enjoying it as much as the audience.

I rarely get so enthusiastic about shows, reviewers can become very blasé, but this was so good I would urge every reader to get down to the Playhouse before it ends on Saturday. Director Marilyn Brandwood-Spencer deserves every credit. No professional company could have done it better.

I can’t wait for the company’s production of Sondheim’s ‘Side by Side’ at the end of the month.

Star Rating 9 out of 10. A real happy, feel-good show

REVIEW By RON ELLIS