The Magic of the Musicals (2's Company)

So this is a little departure for me which normally sees me reviewing a particular musical theatre production, instead this is a show containing a montage of songs from multiple musicals, a good helping of the old classics alongside some more modern pieces.

Paul Roberts and Becky Gosling (aka 2's Company) are probably two of the best musical theatre voices I have heard (and I have heard a lot), they complement each other exceptionally which allows them to take on so many songs from across the genre and I am sure we only heard a small percentage of what they can do at the Birchmeadow Centre, Broseley last night.

Probably worth a few words about the venue, an intimate little location in rural Shropshire and definitely capable of housing a lot more musical theatre than it appears to, so if you are in the vicinity and looking for a theatre venue with all the facilities but, aren't sure if you can sell a larger venue then I would seriously recommend you give this one a shot.

At this performance the old classics were incredibly well received, Oliver!, Calamity Jane, My Fair Lady and The Sound of Music to name but a few, there was certainly a good proportion of 'singing along' going on or at very least mouthing the lyrics particularly accurately. Slightly different as Becky launched into 'Somebody To Love' from We Will Rock You which created a certain amount of programme searching to confirm actually which musical this was from.

Strangely We Will Rock You opened in 2002 so is actually twenty years old but, just goes to prove how the real classics live long in the memory, Oliver! for instance premiered in 1960 which is six years before I was born so the least said about that the better.

So let me point out some particular highlights (difficult as every song is top class) but, I would go with Becky's emotional performance of 'Tell Me It's Not True' from Blood Brothers and her animated rendition of 'Circle Of Life' from The Lion King. For Paul, I would go with his soulful 'Higher Than a Hawk' from Calamity Jane and his drama filled 'Why, God, Why?' from Miss Saigon.

My own personal favourite however has to be 'The Song That Goes Like This' from Spamalot, just a great entertainment number enjoyed by everybody, on stage and off.

If I have one disappointment it would be that Paul didn't appear in Platform Glitter Boots for the Mamma Mia! Finale but, you can't have everything. 

If you are looking for a night that allows you to lose yourself in the joy and poignancy of musical theatre then 2's Company are just what you are looking for, I'm not sure when there next show is scheduled but, keep an eye on their Facebook Page and you'll be the first to know.



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