REVIEW: The Bridport Young Performers Scholarship

The Young Ones

Bridport Arts Centre

JODIE Glover, the director of this impressive production, chose an excellent vehicle for her young cast. The simple tale is of a property developer wanting to tear down a youth club to build a large office block. The developer’s son is a key member of the youth club and he manages to save the club by raising funds, putting on a show in an abandoned theatre, a story that has echoes in our town.

The youthful energy of the Bridport Young Performers Scholarship cast was exactly what this light-hearted musical needed and they filled the stage with a lively dynamism. Jodie was also responsible for the choreography, which was a challenge for some of the cast, but she cleverly found steps they were all comfortable with and the more experienced dancers shone in the more demanding dances.

Some of the cast were very young, making their debut on the Arts Centre stage, but others had been nurtured by Bridport Musical Theatre and were ready to take the lead. Lauren Glover, the musical director, ensured all the cast sang well and with confidence.

Special mention must be made of Harry Lockett, in whom they found a natural for the Cliff Richard role of Nicky. His duets with Ellie Taylor, magical as Toni, were beautifully balanced and very poignant, and when talented Bethany Hyde took the role of Dorinda Morrell, the vamp singer, we saw another side to the song.

Matt Lockett and Chiara Sidebotham made the most of their witty duet Nothing’s Impossible and Stephen Hicken as Chris was very funky with Got a Funny Feeling. Young Hannah Golding had a demanding solo with I love You which she carried off with youthful charm.

Adam Hardy played the older role of Hamilton Black the property developer and brought just the right cold-hearted edge which finally melted in the face of youthful insistence and economic advantage.

An original addition was made offering Jasper Melville to show off his guitar prowess playing a Hank Marvin solo.

The full company had plenty of opportunities to sing and dance and they filled the stage with their energetic and animated performances, it was a really delightful evening.

The older members of the audience, the author amongst them, sang along (under their breath) with all the numbers and the enthusiastic applause at the closing curtain showed that this fundraising production had not just pleased 'The Young Ones'.

MARGIE BARBOUR