In The Press

Praise for Spotlight on Broadway

Take 53 popular songs from musicals, 30 excellent singers and you have the recipe for a wonderful evening's entertainment.

This show gave everyone a chance to shine. The society has its stars who are naturally cast in the leading roles when it does major productions. They had their solo moments in this musical extravaganza but what was different was that the chorus members had the chance to show what beautiful voices they have as well. Their performance of Aquarius and Let The Sun Shine from Hair was one of the highlights of the evening.

There were plenty of traditional musicals on the programme: Barnum, An American in Paris, Hello Dolly!, 42nd Street but also more recent ones including Hairspray, Starlight Express, The Lion King and Spamalot, designed to appeal to the younger members of the audience. Special mention as to go to Duncan Sayers for his wonderful performance as cross dresser Dr Frank-N-Furter from the Rocky Horror Picture Show complete with black suspenders, tights and high heels.

There was plenty of glitz and glamour and dancing - all it needed was a few top hats and canes and the homage to Broadway would have been complete.

LT (Stour and Avon Magazine, 4th December 2009)

Praise for 42nd Street

The full houses and the applause said it all. People had eagerly awaited the next production by the acclaimed Wimborne Musical Theatre, and they weren't to be disappointed.

It's an exacting show, and the commitment and efforts of so many members of the society to become proficient tap dancers was more than evident. They were joined by eight talented youngsters from the Footlight Dance Academy which has classes in Merley, Colehill and Corfe Mullen.

Director Roy Joseph has won many awards and this production could well add top his collection.

'Good, they've got live music,' said one member of the audience. This was under the directorship of Grahame Laurence who has been in the music business for more than 40 years.

The oh-so-vital choreography was provided by professional Suzi DeVilliers who also appeared as Teacher Sandy Lee.

There were some stunning performances, and as in previous productions by Wimborne Musical Theatre (WMT) heaps of praise must go to Heather Pretlove as one-time star Dorothy Brock, Sharron Pearcy as Maggie Jones and Sally Ager as Ann Reilly.

This talented trio becomes a quartet with newcomer to WMT Lisa Hopton having put in a stunning performance as Peggy Sawyer, who takes over the lead in the show, when Dorothy breaks her ankle.

Lisa, who has all the vibrancy and fizz of a young Doris Day, has appeared in the West End and in many TV adverts.

The part of the director Julian Marsh was in the safe hands of Phil Evans, one of the society's most popular performers, whilst 16-year-old Jackie-Ross Lavender as Billy Lawlor, the juvenile lead, is a promising young player.

With powerful support from the other 11 members of the cast and the 15-strong chorus, 42nd Street presented a feel-good fun evening of which the theatre group should be rightly proud.

MB (Stour and Avon Magazine, 4th July 2008)

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