Phantom of the Opera - Youth Group Production (Quarry Bank Musical Theatre Youth Society)
After Les Miserables last year and finding out that Phantom of the Opera was the challenge for 2018, I seriously thought this society had 'bitten off more than it could chew', we are talking a difficult piece of theatre for even a highly trained adult cast and surely they can't surpass the exceptional standard from last year. Suffice to say I was wrong, because this is performance art that is beyond your average superlative, delivered with style and professionalism to a richly appreciative audience.
Creatively bubbling away at the centre of this highly accomplished and intensely portrayed production is a triumvirate of formidable characterisations, Alex Cook's outstandingly powerful Phantom, Alex Cooper's vocally unparallelled Christine (that is a West End Voice and the last voice I said that about is now understudying Fantine in the West End production of Les Miserables !) and Oliver Keeling's sophisticated and charming performance as Raoul.
Gifted performances are many and it's frankly quite phenomenal that so much young stage talent can be at one provincial venue at the same time, there is obviously something in the water in the West Midlands.
Holly Mills is a soprano sensation as Carlotta, Owen Bradley cementing an already obvious comic talent as Piangi, Ollie Hart-Bradford and James Bastable building a well timed and creative double act relationship as new owners of the Opera, Monsieurs André and Firmin, Shannon Lee's exquisite mix of dancer and actress as Meg Giry, Helen Sanders daunting dance instructor Madame Giry and James Luckins as the slightly frustrated yet, dedicated Opera Director, Monsieur Reyer.
Even the cameo performances still have an unfaltering professionalism about them, Dan Cowdrey perfectly cast as ill-fated flyman, Joseph Buquet, Mark Bramble as original owner of the Opera, Monsieur Lefevre and a piece of inspired acting from Luey Pearce ageing beyond his years as Don Attilio.
There is always a little adult influence in any Youth Production and this is no exception, Richard Ganner as Director/Musical Director and Zoe Russell as Choreographer have quite obviously inspired the cast to these lofty heights and much credit must go to them. Managed to catch a few minutes in the interval with Producer, Steve Ganner and encouraged him to drop a few hints about the 2019 Production, I’m sworn to secrecy but, if he manages to get the license he wants there is another dynamic musical theatre treat on the way.
Normally I’d provide a link to a ticketing portal but, this one is a sell-out, so here is a link to their Facebook Page so you can read all the no doubt amazing feedback.
QBMT Youth Society - Facebook
Creatively bubbling away at the centre of this highly accomplished and intensely portrayed production is a triumvirate of formidable characterisations, Alex Cook's outstandingly powerful Phantom, Alex Cooper's vocally unparallelled Christine (that is a West End Voice and the last voice I said that about is now understudying Fantine in the West End production of Les Miserables !) and Oliver Keeling's sophisticated and charming performance as Raoul.
Gifted performances are many and it's frankly quite phenomenal that so much young stage talent can be at one provincial venue at the same time, there is obviously something in the water in the West Midlands.
Holly Mills is a soprano sensation as Carlotta, Owen Bradley cementing an already obvious comic talent as Piangi, Ollie Hart-Bradford and James Bastable building a well timed and creative double act relationship as new owners of the Opera, Monsieurs André and Firmin, Shannon Lee's exquisite mix of dancer and actress as Meg Giry, Helen Sanders daunting dance instructor Madame Giry and James Luckins as the slightly frustrated yet, dedicated Opera Director, Monsieur Reyer.
Even the cameo performances still have an unfaltering professionalism about them, Dan Cowdrey perfectly cast as ill-fated flyman, Joseph Buquet, Mark Bramble as original owner of the Opera, Monsieur Lefevre and a piece of inspired acting from Luey Pearce ageing beyond his years as Don Attilio.
There is always a little adult influence in any Youth Production and this is no exception, Richard Ganner as Director/Musical Director and Zoe Russell as Choreographer have quite obviously inspired the cast to these lofty heights and much credit must go to them. Managed to catch a few minutes in the interval with Producer, Steve Ganner and encouraged him to drop a few hints about the 2019 Production, I’m sworn to secrecy but, if he manages to get the license he wants there is another dynamic musical theatre treat on the way.
Normally I’d provide a link to a ticketing portal but, this one is a sell-out, so here is a link to their Facebook Page so you can read all the no doubt amazing feedback.
QBMT Youth Society - Facebook
Comments
Post a Comment