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Review

One Big Night, Stagewise School For the Performing Arts, Lighthouse, Poole

A packed and enthusiastic house greeted this show, during which 150 theatre students ranging from tinies to adult strutted their stuff in selections from the musicals.
As Mary Poppins, Grease, Billy Elliot, Oliver, Saturday Night Fever, Annie, Little Shop of Horrors, Bugsy Malone, The Wonderful Wizard and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang were re-created before our eyes, what stood out the most was the sheer enthusiasm and confidence that bubbled over the footlights.

Lighting and costumes were excellent and the staging was great throughout, with never any sign of over-crowding despite the large numbers involved. Dance routines were particularly impressive, and judging by the standard of acting and singing as well, I’d say the school has several stars of tomorrow within its ranks.

On the down side, whilst having an orchestra in the pit was obviously a bonus, the performers sometimes seemed to feel the –unnecessary – need to shout to be heard, and on occasions this was to their detriment, microphones being a somewhat double-edged sword when notes are not quite as secure as they might be.

But that is just a minor criticism in what was a thoroughly enjoyable show that well deserved the spontaneous standing ovation it received.

Linda Kirkman

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