Wellington Operatic Society’s autumn shows are all about music and the voices which make it work, writes Gill Paltridge.
This year’s show, My Sister’s Mixtape, is no exception but it adds more; quite a bit more – in storytelling, setting, lighting and clarity and confidence in direction.
The outcome is an evening of classy and wholly enjoyable entertainment.
It opens tonight (Wednesday) at the Arts Centre in Eight Acre Lane and runs until Saturday.
OpSoc can draw on a range of accomplished vocalists who add vibrancy and style to all kinds of numbers, as soloists and as a group.
In this show, they deliver a playlist of gorgeous songs, expressive of feelings we can all identify with – those associated with family relationships and shared experiences.
They fit comfortably into the concept of a tape made for a sister as she leaves home for university.
But, alongside the company’s collective vocal strengths is the very obvious joy the whole cast conveys in music and song making. They clearly love to sing – and that love is infectious.
Director Kirk Shepherd has crafted the production as a very smooth vehicle which allows the whole show to flow easily while adding some delightful narrative elements in stage placement and setting.
Alongside the director, choreographers Dawn Shepherd and Mischa Veysey-Milton have shaped dance routines which add pace, rhythm and energy.
A powerful and highly effective further element is the lighting in the hands of Matt Redstone. His skills, and those of his crew, in the careful use of colour, movement and definition add a huge amount to the visual effectiveness of the show.
My Sister’s Mixtape is an evening of musical pleasure – a programme of 25 musical numbers presented by 17 fine vocalists whose enjoyment in their own music-making cannot help but delight audiences.
Performances are at Wellington Arts Centre, Eight Acre Lane, tonight, tomorrow, Friday and Saturday at 7.30pm.
Tickets are available by CLICKING HERE.
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OpSoc’s next major production is the musical thriller Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street which will be staged at the Wellesley in May.
Launch night is at the Arts Centre on Friday, 23rd November, at 7.30pm.
For more information, email sweeney@w-a-a.co.uk.
