Tudor Musical Comedy Society Shine On Stage

Based between Sutton and Lichfield, Tudor Musical Comedy Society are well established with 60+ members. This evening they are performing their annual concert, this year's theme is songs from well known musicals and the show is titled very simply: Songs We Like to Sing!

Stonnall Village Hall provides the sweetest of settings, with cabaret tables and a charming letterbox stage. The evening features 28 cast members, all bright eyed and charged with enthusiasm ready for their chance to shine on the stage - and that they do. The young performers appear very comfortable and extremely confident in the limelight. Paul Lumsden proves himself a charismatic compere, introducing the company and setting the stage for the biggest and best hits from the world of Musical Theatre.

Highlights of the evening include We Can Do It from The Producers sung by Peter Beck and Chris Buckle who capture the spirits of Max and Leo to perfection. Chris later sings Leave from the 2012 musical Once; with a distinctive voice full of emotion he captivates the heavily populated room.

Costume choices are simple and elegant and at times show specific. The 3 piece band under the Musical Direction of David Easto carry the evening wonderfully, with smooth transitions between numbers it is clear to see the show has been well rehearsed. A small lighting plot has been expertly rigged by the skilled Technicians of Lichfield Light & Sound Company Ltd. Everything is neat and polished and we often forget in live theatre just how difficult that is to achieve.

Lucy Charnock is mesmerising as she sings Movie in my Mind from Miss Saigon, demonstrating excellent vocal control she is partnered well with the equally capable Emma Charnock - it is clear to see they are related, Strallen sisters in the making! 

Hattie Rumsey opens Act 2 with her chocolate box voice singing Good Morning Baltimore from Hairspray, effortlessly climbing the keys like a young professional. Comedy is provided by numbers such as the hilariously executed Hello from Book of Mormon and The Song That Goes Like This from Spamalot. Full of emotion, Kim Waldron sings the tender You Don't Know this Man from Parade; though a difficult song to interpret, she masters it skilfully. All performers have absorbed their pieces and successfully taken on the habits and personalities of the roles they are playing. Each song tells a story and leaves the audience wanting more; they have certainly whetted my appetite to experience a full production.

Produced by Faye O'Leary, Songs We Like To Sing was well received and thoroughly enjoyed by all. As our lives get busier and time becomes more valuable it is so fantastic to see an amateur society thriving with so many involved (on both sides of the stage) and willing to give their time generously to ensure community spirit is ever present.

Be sure to see Tudor Musical Comedy Society's next production Honk! running from Tue 15 - Sat 19 March 2016 at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall.