I will just start off this post by saying a huge thank you to everyone invosashayed athe BMT Sing Concert over the last two days. I ended up in the audience, rather than on the stage, which meant that I was able to enjoy the whole experience of the show from the seats instead of the wings. And it was fantastic. From the welcome at the door, through to the rousing finale I enjoyed every single moment. I know it's a team effort, so thank you all.
In the past I've given a kind of highlights approach to my review, but this one was full of so many highlights that I want to indulge myself in taking each number in turn.
Top Hat Medley
The last time that I rehearsed this was at the end of July and we knew the words but hadn't started movement. What an amazing impact six weeks has had. This was an inviting and gentle start to the show, which really showcased the talents of so many of our members. From Mark and colleagues right at the opening, through Ian's stroll through the ladies this was BMT at its best. It was real show music and a show stopping number that started it all off perfectly.
Sarah Stone - Company
It was a delight to be sitting behind a couple of ladies who laughed their way through this song. With the mix of Sarah's faultless notes and facial contortion, this show grabbed us all. It's not often that a single (previously unknown song - to me anyway) can have you laughing out loud on the first hearing, but this one really did. Brilliant.
Little Shop of horrors
Ok, so it's another show that I don't know, but the team were amazing in this one. From Dom's confident and clear introduction we were wowed with cartwheels and then the whole junior company bringing the stage to life and the audience loved it.
Alison, Fiona and Nicola - Bridge over troubled waters
I'll comment on this again later, but vocal harmony is an area where BMT really excel and this arrangement made the most of it. Alison was strong and confident in the melody, soaring over the harmonies provided by Fiona and Nicola. They all took their turn, played their part and did a grand job.
David, Duncan and Brian - Razzle Dazzle
Loved it - and what amazing spangly waistcoats. David may have led on the dancing, but this was a real team act with three different styles and approaches coming together wonderfully to deliver a top class number.
California Girls - The guys
Well I was singing along to this one from row G as the guys raised the roof with this Beach Boys number. I was listening out for the tricky timing in the second verse and it was 100 percent spot on. Great stuff.
In the past I've given a kind of highlights approach to my review, but this one was full of so many highlights that I want to indulge myself in taking each number in turn.
Top Hat Medley
The last time that I rehearsed this was at the end of July and we knew the words but hadn't started movement. What an amazing impact six weeks has had. This was an inviting and gentle start to the show, which really showcased the talents of so many of our members. From Mark and colleagues right at the opening, through Ian's stroll through the ladies this was BMT at its best. It was real show music and a show stopping number that started it all off perfectly.
Sarah Stone - Company
It was a delight to be sitting behind a couple of ladies who laughed their way through this song. With the mix of Sarah's faultless notes and facial contortion, this show grabbed us all. It's not often that a single (previously unknown song - to me anyway) can have you laughing out loud on the first hearing, but this one really did. Brilliant.
Little Shop of horrors
Ok, so it's another show that I don't know, but the team were amazing in this one. From Dom's confident and clear introduction we were wowed with cartwheels and then the whole junior company bringing the stage to life and the audience loved it.
Alison, Fiona and Nicola - Bridge over troubled waters
I'll comment on this again later, but vocal harmony is an area where BMT really excel and this arrangement made the most of it. Alison was strong and confident in the melody, soaring over the harmonies provided by Fiona and Nicola. They all took their turn, played their part and did a grand job.
David, Duncan and Brian - Razzle Dazzle
Loved it - and what amazing spangly waistcoats. David may have led on the dancing, but this was a real team act with three different styles and approaches coming together wonderfully to deliver a top class number.
California Girls - The guys
Well I was singing along to this one from row G as the guys raised the roof with this Beach Boys number. I was listening out for the tricky timing in the second verse and it was 100 percent spot on. Great stuff.
You've really got a hold on me - The ladies
Bringing life and exuberance to this song from the 60s, the ladies swayed, sashayed and smiled their way through this fun song. Loved it.
God Only Knows - the Beach Boys
We've rehearsed this one hard and it was brilliant - it really showed.
Song from Rent - BJMT
Ok it's another show that I don't know but the song was well performed by the Juniors. I am really enjoying the fact that so many of the children are being given the opportunity to sing solos and to build their confidence.
On my own - Adela
Wow. I would leave it just there, but this was a brilliant solo. Not stacks of movement, but deeply felt, hugely emotional, great use of timing and feeling and note perfect. Loved it.
Oh my God you guys - Jess and the girls
This was a high octane, dance rich number that brought the stage to life. It was a great team effort from the girls involved and so much fun to see the smiles and acting.
West Side Story Medley
Absolutely brilliant. Jen asked me what my favourite was at the end of the show and I said this. Even the next day and looking back at all the amazing performances, it's still this one. Partly I guess it's because I actually knew the show and the songs, partly it's because it was so well put together and performed, but mainly I think it's because it was sung with feeling - both the joyful and the softer more poignant moments. And the rousing final of one hand and somewhere was just amazing. What a way to close the first half.
Masquerade
After a short break to grab a drink and chat to my pals back stage, I was back in my seat and loving this number. The masks, movement and song came together perfectly. I was really impressed that no-one burst out laughing on 'Faces' - that must just have been me then. Yes it was hard to see Hannah steal my partner Kat, but she's a much better dancer than me so I will let her off.
Paula - It wasn't meant to be
What humour! So good to see the ladies moving into the guy's traditional make 'em laugh territory rather than the soulful balllads. Again this was enhanced hugely by the buy in of the two ladies in front of me who loved every moment and provided a running commentary as the song progressed.
Charlie and Megan - Loathing
This number offered great characterisation and good acting - I was very nearly persuaded that these guys didn't like each other! It was a really good number and it was lovely to hear these two sing; adding to their amazing dancing from the rest of the show.
Mike - Love
This song really suited Mike in terms of tune, rhythm and style and he delivered it with panache. I don't know if it came from a musical or not - but that won't surprise anyone who knows me.
Jan, Paula and Adela - Mr Postman
This was a brilliant trio who continued the theme of the concert and shared the melody amongst themselves, each offering a different interpretation which came to an amazing whole.
Sarah, Elizabeth, Jen and Becky - Memory
It's always a joy when this group of ladies come together in song and this number continued to show the amazing talent that we are lucky enough to host in the company. From verse to chorus to the closing bars of the song, the ladies brought the song to life and captivated the audience.
Disney Dazzle - BJMT
Ok, so I'm biased but this song got me from the start. With Dan taking the first solo moment the number was a winner from the start and the rest of the junior company kept this going. Of course it helped that these were songs that I knew as well. Great stuff guys.
9 to 5
What fun! As the ladies walked on stage with their chairs and entertained us with synchronised typing we knew this was going to be good. Stacey powered her way through the first solo section, ably accompanied by Kat and later Liz bringing different characters to the show. And with the ladies and guys joining together in a high octane number, we were all toe tapping along.
Chris - Until you sing again
I thought that Chris executed this with perfection. It was a challenging number with a big range, but he hit his high notes and lived the low notes so that this song flowed through and touched the heart.
Jen - Burlesque
I was amazed that Jen could sing at all after apparently running around the stage, changing her shoes and carrying a chair on stage. I'm sure she needed to sit down. But despite all of that, she delivered a brilliant number. Fabulous.
Sing - BMT and BJMT
It was a brilliant idea to bring both companies together for this final song, uniting us all in the one thing that we all enjoyed about the concert - singing together. With the smallest children starting it off and the steady crescendo as others joined in, this was a brilliant production, uniting everyone in song.
West Side reprise
Having uplifted the audience in the unity of Sing, the adults powered the evening out with the final segment from the West Side story medley again. It was a perfect close to a fantastic show, highlighting the harmony and power that BMT do so well.
Thank you, as I said at the start, to everyone who brought this together. Singing is a gift that can lift the soul. And you did.
We've rehearsed this one hard and it was brilliant - it really showed.
Song from Rent - BJMT
Ok it's another show that I don't know but the song was well performed by the Juniors. I am really enjoying the fact that so many of the children are being given the opportunity to sing solos and to build their confidence.
On my own - Adela
Wow. I would leave it just there, but this was a brilliant solo. Not stacks of movement, but deeply felt, hugely emotional, great use of timing and feeling and note perfect. Loved it.
Oh my God you guys - Jess and the girls
This was a high octane, dance rich number that brought the stage to life. It was a great team effort from the girls involved and so much fun to see the smiles and acting.
West Side Story Medley
Absolutely brilliant. Jen asked me what my favourite was at the end of the show and I said this. Even the next day and looking back at all the amazing performances, it's still this one. Partly I guess it's because I actually knew the show and the songs, partly it's because it was so well put together and performed, but mainly I think it's because it was sung with feeling - both the joyful and the softer more poignant moments. And the rousing final of one hand and somewhere was just amazing. What a way to close the first half.
Masquerade
After a short break to grab a drink and chat to my pals back stage, I was back in my seat and loving this number. The masks, movement and song came together perfectly. I was really impressed that no-one burst out laughing on 'Faces' - that must just have been me then. Yes it was hard to see Hannah steal my partner Kat, but she's a much better dancer than me so I will let her off.
Paula - It wasn't meant to be
What humour! So good to see the ladies moving into the guy's traditional make 'em laugh territory rather than the soulful balllads. Again this was enhanced hugely by the buy in of the two ladies in front of me who loved every moment and provided a running commentary as the song progressed.
Charlie and Megan - Loathing
This number offered great characterisation and good acting - I was very nearly persuaded that these guys didn't like each other! It was a really good number and it was lovely to hear these two sing; adding to their amazing dancing from the rest of the show.
Mike - Love
This song really suited Mike in terms of tune, rhythm and style and he delivered it with panache. I don't know if it came from a musical or not - but that won't surprise anyone who knows me.
Jan, Paula and Adela - Mr Postman
This was a brilliant trio who continued the theme of the concert and shared the melody amongst themselves, each offering a different interpretation which came to an amazing whole.
Sarah, Elizabeth, Jen and Becky - Memory
It's always a joy when this group of ladies come together in song and this number continued to show the amazing talent that we are lucky enough to host in the company. From verse to chorus to the closing bars of the song, the ladies brought the song to life and captivated the audience.
Disney Dazzle - BJMT
Ok, so I'm biased but this song got me from the start. With Dan taking the first solo moment the number was a winner from the start and the rest of the junior company kept this going. Of course it helped that these were songs that I knew as well. Great stuff guys.
9 to 5
What fun! As the ladies walked on stage with their chairs and entertained us with synchronised typing we knew this was going to be good. Stacey powered her way through the first solo section, ably accompanied by Kat and later Liz bringing different characters to the show. And with the ladies and guys joining together in a high octane number, we were all toe tapping along.
Chris - Until you sing again
I thought that Chris executed this with perfection. It was a challenging number with a big range, but he hit his high notes and lived the low notes so that this song flowed through and touched the heart.
Jen - Burlesque
I was amazed that Jen could sing at all after apparently running around the stage, changing her shoes and carrying a chair on stage. I'm sure she needed to sit down. But despite all of that, she delivered a brilliant number. Fabulous.
Sing - BMT and BJMT
It was a brilliant idea to bring both companies together for this final song, uniting us all in the one thing that we all enjoyed about the concert - singing together. With the smallest children starting it off and the steady crescendo as others joined in, this was a brilliant production, uniting everyone in song.
West Side reprise
Having uplifted the audience in the unity of Sing, the adults powered the evening out with the final segment from the West Side story medley again. It was a perfect close to a fantastic show, highlighting the harmony and power that BMT do so well.
Thank you, as I said at the start, to everyone who brought this together. Singing is a gift that can lift the soul. And you did.
