Rachel Anderson in Pickering Musical Society’s Let’s Do It!, The Cole Porter Songbook
GRAHAM Spink was invited to attend Monday’s dress rehearsal of Pickering Musical Society’s upcoming concert Let’s Do It!, The Cole Porter Songbook.
HAVING been involved in amateur theatre for most of my life, I was amazed at just how polished and professional the production already looked with more than a week still to go before opening night.
The first thing that catches the eye is the magnificent full-size grand piano taking pride of place centre stage. Director Courtney Brown and Luke Arnold have certainly pushed the boat out with this production, and it is refreshing to see a different style of staging, with a compact jazz band positioned on stage alongside the performers, rather than hidden away in the orchestra pit.
I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from an evening dedicated to one of the legends of the Great American Songbook, but the programme has been cleverly structured.
The first half focuses on music from Cole Porter’s hit musicals, including Kiss Me, Kate and Anything Goes, while the second half takes on a more intimate cabaret atmosphere.
Here, the on-stage musicians and grand piano really come into their own, acting as both backdrop and accompaniment for a selection of Porter’s best-known songs, ranging from upbeat jazz numbers to moody, sensual ballads.
The production features a relatively small principal cast, wonderfully supported by the talented students of the Sarah Louise Ashworth School of Dance. Even at this stage, the standard of performance was exceptional.
Personal highlights for me included Anything Goes from the musical of the same name, Too Darn Hot from Kiss Me, Kate and the charming Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? from High Society.
To conclude, I would like to thank Luke and Courtney for inviting me to enjoy this early preview of what promises to be a thoroughly entertaining and stylish production.
I would highly recommend the show and encourage everyone to book tickets before they sell out — I have already been online this morning and booked ours!
Pickering Musical Society presents Let’s Do It!, Kirk Theatre, Pickering, June 9 to 13, 7.30pm plus 2.30pm Saturday matinee. Box office: 01751 474833 or www.kirktheatre.co.uk.
Preview review by Graham Spink