‘BROADWAY to Piccadilly – Songs From The Stage’ provides a fantastic night of entertainment at Droitwich’s Norbury Theatre to celebrate the venue’s 60th anniversary.
It takes hard work, determination and the well-earned success which comes with them for a theatre to have not only survived but also thrived during six decades.
And this production epitomises everything the Norbury has always done well – underpinned by a faultless orchestra, the cast supported each other throughout with different performers taking stage, backed up by the chorus, and there was fantastic choreography along the way.
The danger of staging a show like this is that it can sometimes seem disjointed as it flits from varying numbers from very contrasting shows but that did not happen here – the continuity was seamless.
This was testament to not only the performers and the way they supported each other but also to creative compere Andy Brown. As well as enlightening us on each musical’s beginnings and their success, there were some great comical observations which drew numerous chuckles from the crowd.
The show boasted songs from some of the best-loved musicals – from Les Miserables and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat to 9to5, Legally Blonde, Wicked and everything in between.
As well as showing the array of talent of all ages The Norbury Players has, it also reminded us of some of the great shows performed over the years as well as – in the case of Anything Goes – giving us a taste of what is to come next year.
There were too many memorable moments and excellent performers to mention all involved but everyone played their part in making this such a wonderful two-and-a-half hours.
A lot of ‘big-hitting’ songs were performed, including three from Les Miserables, Climb Every Mountain from Anything Goes and Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again (the latter two sang perfectly by classical performer Becky Fearnley).
And among those intense numbers were some beautifully delivered comical numbers, including Gay or European from Legally Blonde, A Musical from Something Rotten, The Song That Goes Like This from Spamalot and I Know It’s Today from Shrek the Musical.
Hayley Gass showed her versatility with her solos for the quirky and fun Anything Goes and humorous Ireland and Erin Maiden played key roles in numerous numbers – the pick from her was the emotional I’d Give My Life For You where you could hear a pin drop.
Sam Jeffrey, Emma Watters, Paul Steele and Steve Carley were good linchpins, providing a constant on many of the songs performed while Grace Duggan, Beth Smith and Kate Green combined well for Shine Like The Sun.
The three Les Mis numbers – Stars, Do You Hear the People Sing? and One Day More were a nice emotionally powerful trio to take us into the interval.
The middle section of the first half and I Know It’s Today from the second – all led by the younger performers, including Lexy Steele, Emily Jeffrey and Emily Tennant, was amazing to see. They delivered the numbers from Matilda, Annie and Bugsy Malone confidently and with plenty of fun fun.
Judging by those performances, it is safe to say The Norbury’s pool of talent should see the venue safe on the stage for the next 60 years and beyond.
Well done to everybody involved in this super show – including all those behind the scenes and those ensuring smooth sound and lighting.
Happy 60th birthday Norbury Theatre – if you love musicals and good live theatre (and who doesn’t?), you’ll love this.
Broadway to Piccadilly – Songs From The Stage runs at the Norbury until Saturday, October 15, with performances at 7.30pm. Click here for more information and tickets.
