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BGS present a joint Spring Production
Jesus Christ Superstar
Wednesday 30th March - Saturday 2nd April 2011

Jesus Christ Superstar, the first masterpiece from the legendary writing team of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, exploded onto the scene in 1971 changing the world of musical theatre forever. With a score of amazing songs - I Don't Know How to Love Him, Hosanna, Everything's Alright, What's the Buzz, Superstar, and Heaven on Their Mind.

BGS have put their own stamp on this classic piece and if last year's production of Oliver! is anything to go by we are definitely in for a treat.

If you would like to receive an event reminder, please contact louise@bgsdev.demon.co.uk 

The 2010 Joint Spring Production of Oliver!, a review by Jane Buttery
Please Miss, can we have some more?

Oliver! this year's joint production, is one of our most well-loved musicals, vividly bringing to life Dickens' timeless characters with its ever-popular story of the boy who asked for more. It isn't obvious feel-good fare: workhouse boy is mistreated, sold effectively into slavery, escapes, finds himself in the clutches of a miserly fence who exploits homeless children, is arrested, becomes entangled and threatened by an East End villain, witnesses a brutal murder. So why did our faces break into a smiles when in the opening number dozens and dozens of supposedly half-starved workhouse children took to the stage? Perhaps it is the sheer number of enthusiastic young actors who fill the stage to bursting, and launch into ‘Food Glorious Food' with an enthusiasm not matched by the evidence on their meal table. One of the many strengths of this production was surely the elaborate staging and the many creative ways in which director, Mrs Lindsay Farnworth, filled the multi layered set with points of action and interest.

Once again, the popularity of the production has led to some roles being played by alternate actors. Lawrence Adlum is a sweet, sincere Oliver and Kurt Irion is confident and assured. Michael Baines and Connor Pearson are cheeky and often charismatic Artful Dodgers. Joe Schofield plays an appropriately sinister Fagin in all performances, at his best in ‘Reviewing The Situation', as he twists his body into a state of indecision dithering between crime and respectability. As Nancy, Samantha Crow, brings a warmth to the stage and delivers ‘Oom-Pah-Pah' with passionate fervour and Amber Barry as Nancy wrings every last ounce of emotion from a heart-wrenching ‘As Long as He Needs Me'. Camilla Chadwick is a flirtatious, power-hungry Widow Corney and Oliver's employment as a coffin follower at the Sowerberry funeral parlour is enlivened by David Cahill's spindly undertaker and his blowzy wife, Chloe MacMackin. Jonty Rigby is a chilling Bill Sikes and his big number ‘My Name' showcases his powerful voice. The large supporting cast of workhouse boys, Londoners and Fagin's Gang move on and off stage with precision and commitment and deliver some spirited performances under the talented direction of Mrs Farnworth. The musical direction of Miss Rachel Britton and Mr Chris Hyde certainly brings out the best performances from the assorted cast. Costume, hair and make-up all combine skillfully to transform our young actors almost beyond recognition.

So while Fagin, and those denying themselves a few small pleasures at the moment, may only believe that "in this world, one thing counts; in the bank, large amounts", I'll go for the Nancy approach every time. It is, after all, a pretty fine life when our two schools combined can produce a show like this one.