Back to the 80s (Kidderminster Operatic & Dramatic Society Youth Section)

It's probably worth a bit of context on this one as it may not be a musical that is well known to readers although it is a popular school production across the English speaking world and is originally from the stable of Neil Gooding a leading theatre producer/director in Australia.

Back to the 80s is fundamentally a story encompassing the Final High School Year for a group of students at the fictitious William Ocean High School and all the joy and angst they experience. It's packed to the brim with Hits from the 1980s and there is testament to the enduring quality of the music from that decade when one takes a step back and realises that there isn't a single member of the KODS Youth Section who were alive to experience that period directly.

Narrated throughout by one of the adult performers, Reece Jones as the adult Corey Palmer, we commence the story with the vote for Senior School President, there are three candidates .....

- the teen Corey Palmer (played  confidently by Oscar Yeoh) all round nice guy but, never likely to get the girl without the assistance of fate and supported by the engaging comic antics of his deputies, Myles Richards as Alf Bueller and Harrison Bianco as Kirk Keaton (somebody tell me if there is a stage big enough to hold the young Bianco, I fear there isn't, a natural talent and probably destined to appear in an 80s Musical, if you can remember Matt Bianco and 'Get Out of Your Lazy Bed').

- the guy that all the boys wanted to be and all the girls wanted to be with in the form of popular school sports star Michael Feldman (a dominant performance from Mason Howell) with his deputies, love interest Tiffany Houston (played with reserved charm and a stunning voice by Lauren L'Enfant) and cheerleader Cyndi Gibson, very popular with the boys as cheerleaders always are, performed with conviction (particularly during her performance of the Madonna classic, 'Material Girl') by Hope Dickenson.

- finally the 'nerd', there is always one, they always wear glasses and are always into technology, name dropping the Commodore 64 and the Compact Disc, key tech developments in the 80s is Feargal McFerrin III (played with geeky appeal and a deep, rich vocal by Josh Hickey) along with his deputies Laura Wilde (played by Georgia Hyde, who has a deceptively powerful vocal, I was waiting for her to let her 'belt voice' go at some point but, the songs didn't quite allow it, one to watch for the future though) and Debbie Fox (played with effervescence by Daisy Thompson).

Follow the story on and you won't be disappointed that Michael loses the girl and Corey/Feargal gain them, welcome the taunted character of Eileen Reagan (another outstanding voice from Alice Hickey, perhaps in need of a little more microphone volume to provide the boost always needed on a busy stage) and be happy that all ends as we would want it.

You will have noticed by now that the character names are an eclectic mix of 80s Stars, let's take Micheal's close friends group, Huey Jackson (Huey Lewis/Michael Jackson) characterised by Chris Kemp, Lionel Astley (Lionel Ritchie/Rick Astley) portrayed by Toby Denton and Billy Arnold (Billy Ocean/I'm guessing perhaps PP Arnold although that feels a bit more 60s than 80s, so happy to be corrected) created by Billy Brooks.

Not to mention performances much more than 'respectable' from Alice Shelley as Mel Easton and Erin Follows as Kim Easton, one of the 'wild boys' Finley Stanier as Rick Le Bon and an extended ensemble cast.

Were this an adult production I would be enthusing about the performance of Dan Richards as math teacher Steve Cocker and his 'main squeeze' Sheena Brannigan played by Molly Parmenter but, sorry guys this is all about the Youth Section.

If like me you remember the 80s and classic tracks like Buggles - Video Killed the Radio Star, Michael Jackson - Man in the Mirror and J Geils Band - Centerfold, then this one is right up your alley and I am sure Darren Richards (Director), Russell Painter (Musical Director) and Elaine Tovey/Wendy Richards (Choreographers) will be only too happy to sell the venue out !

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