Evita – Lichfield Musical Theatre ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Evita – Lichfield Musical Youth Theatre

Lichfield Garrick

Tuesday 1st April 2025

By : Nigel Gambles

Photography by : Lichfield Musical Youth Theatre

This was two hours of breathtaking pleasure that once again reminds you of the number of incredibly talented young people we have in the area who dedicate their time and energy to create spectacles like this

This ambitious new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Evita which charts the rise to power of Eva Duarte from the dusty streets of Argentina to first lady of Prime Minister Juan Perón in the mid 1900’s. This is one of my favourite Lloyd Webber/Rice shows with some iconic numbers.

The casting of all the main characters was superb and each and every member of the sizeable chorus provided the perfect backdrop to what is a triumphant but ultimately sad story about the very short life of a woman who is still held to almost sainted regard in Argentina.

The audience is told the end of the story before the action is taken back to the streets of Argentina and a younger Eva Duarte who is from an impoverished background but has very lofty ambitions that this will not be her lot in life as she has eyes on stardom and ultimately power.  Her journey begins with a dalliance with tango cabaret singer Augustin Magaldi (James Williams) his rendition of “On This Night Of a Thousand Stars” is energetic and enthusiastic. This short affair leads her to the bright lights of Buenos Aires where she goes through several men before marrying Juan Perón (Zach Andrews) and becoming the most powerful lady in the land. All the while, and ostensibly as an onlooker, uber left wing political activist and general trouble maker to the powers that be Che Guevara (Zephan Rowe) is looking on critically as the aspirational social climber is using all her wiles to get to where she wants to be. His duet “High Flying Adored” with Eva is beautiful

The role of Evita is played with sublime elegance by Hannah Roche she makes it all look so effortless. She embodies Eva Perón completely – the passion, the emotion, the determination to reach the top, and the ever-growing anxiety about the impending end. When she sang “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” the anthemic centrepiece of the show left us delighted and simultaneously heartbroken.

The principal cast are supported ably and with such professionalism by an ensemble who help paint the picture and set the scene. The choreography by Jessica Bennett is exquisite, especially in the blending of the movement of dance and marching during ‘And The Money Kept Rolling In’. The company are placed so stylishly upon the stage in each moment with the effect that every scene is a feast for the eyes and ears. It is almost exhausting to watch them.

As for the costumes. I tried to count the number of costume changes but gave up. Top marks to the team behind the planning of those outfits and managing the fast changes off-stage.

And so to my star of the show and it is a difficult one with so many stellar performances this evening, but it goes to a young lady who is found on stage in a scene where she is unceremoniously chucked out by the ever advancing Eva. In the programme she is called ‘The Mistress’ which I think is a little harsh as she was there first. But my star of the show goes to Charlotte Grubb who sang ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall’ with effortless emotion and very nearly had me crying.

If you like musicals then get yourselves along to this show at The Garrick Theatre Lichfield from Tuesday 1st April – Saturday 5th April with a matinee on the Saturday

https://www.lichfieldgarrick.com/events/evita-lmyt#dates-and-times

Royal Sutton Fun Run 2025 Launch

10.30am Saturday 1st February saw the launch of this years fun run although a number of entrants turned up early to register.

The first 25 registrations received a free ticket to The Royal Cinema adding an incentive for the early in person registrations.

Our Mayor Councillor John Perks along with the lady Mayoress were on hand to encourage and add support to the event.

The team from Cookes Furnishings were on hand giving out treats and balloons to the youngsters and handing out registration forms

All in all a great Morning.

Check out our YouTube channel for a shot video of the morning 👇

 

 

 

 

Chaka – The Music Of Chaka Khan

Chaka – The Music Of Chaka Khan
Sutton Coldfield Town Hall
23rd November 2024
Lee Williams
Photography : Lee Williams Photography

Chaka Khan – The Music of Chaka Khan, a great and exhilarating night. Sulene Fleming (The Brand New Heavies, Incognito, The New Master Sounds) played an amazing live set with a great accompanying bad playing Chaka Khan’s unmistakable soul, funk and dance. All of the big hits were played – I’m Every Woman, Aint Nobody, I Feel For You, Through The Wire and Like Sugar. Cant wait for her to return!

The Bohemians Queen Tribute

The Bohemians Queen Tribute

Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Hall

Friday 18th October

By : Nigel Gambles

Photographs : Studio 55 Photography

It was fantastic to see a full house at the Town Hall last night, there was certainly an air of expectation and as the time rolled round to 7.30pm we were asked to welcome The Bohemians to the stage and did the audience do that.. plenty cheering as Freddie marched out in his famous yellow leather jacket and went straight into the opening number and didn’t stop for breathe finally pausing to ask if “Sutton Coldfield Magic on  Friday is that alright” which of course it was.

We were treated to all the songs you would expect along with a few less famous numbers and were treated to many costume changes by Freddie.

The band were excellent and played flawlessly the set included all your favourite Queen songs , Its A Kind Of Magic, Another One Bites The Dust,I Wanna Break Free,Under Pressure, Hammer To Fall, Radio Ga Ga, Bohemian Rhapsody; as well as the famous vocal chant De Da De etc etc.

As someone who saw Queen a number of times in the 70’s and early 80’s The Bohemians are truly one of if not the best Queen tribute acts.

For Full Gallery Click Here

For Video Click Here : Coming Soon

Matilda – Script Youth Musical Theatre Company ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 Matilda – Script Youth Musical Theatre Company

Crescent Theatre – Birmingham

Friday 27th September 2024 (Dress Rehearsal)

By : Nigel Gambles

Photographs : Studio 55

Tim Minchin’s extremely popular musical about a young girl called Matilda and her escapades and travails at the hands of her crazy family, a psychopathic headmistress, and a love of books, is now so entrenched in children’s psyche that I think every preteen and tween will know the plot. Not only a full-scale musical, and now a feature film too, this Junior version proves to be a very popular and effective production for youngsters to perform and follows on from the “juniorising” of many other favourites and making them available and suitable for young people to perform.

Script Youth Musical Theatre have a large and thriving youth theatre, and their many members produce an annual show to the delight of family and friends.

I have never seen Matilda in any of its incarnations including this Junior version. The one thing I am told that truly makes this show is the fact that all the more boring, or less interesting sections of the musical have been shaved away, leaving the main storyline, all the best songs, and a child-friendly show of full-on, non-stop entertainment for both cast and audience.

Tilly Cartwright made for a lovely Matilda. A strong and sympathetic young actress with strong vocals and good stage presence. Maddie Howard gave a comedic and forthright turn as Agatha Trunchbull, and was so powerful and nasty at one point, even made me jump. An empathetic librarian Mrs. Phelps, was played with confidence by Peyton Lockley, and the more-than-sympathetic school teacher who befriends Matilda, shielding her from the wrath of Trunchbull was another confident and talented performer, Gracie Reynolds. Niamh Mulligan impressed as Matilda’s self-confessed best friend Lavender, whilst Arlo Conway-Ford brought much comedic campery to bear in his role as ballroom dancing teacher, Rodolpho. The cast completed with Poppy Kerr (Acrobat), Mae Gregory-Martin (Bruce), Lois Rollins (Escapologist), Edward Lawlor (Mr. Wormwood), Darci Rice (Mrs. Wormwood), and other smaller principal and cameo roles, as well as a rather large group of ensemble/chorus members. The entire cast gave their all from start to finish, and obviously had worked very hard bringing their energy, commitment, and enthusiasm to this production making it as enjoyable as it truly was.  Congratulations to all the cast!

Finally it would be very remiss not to mention the production team Louise Sall and Tim Rice who’s dedication commitment and support to the young cast was superb. Credit also to Erin Mooney who choreographed for the second time on this show who has put together some fantastic routines.

The Simon & Garfunkel Story

The Simon & Garfunkel Story
Sutton Coldfield Town Hall
Sunday 15th February 2024  By Nigel Gambles
Photography – Nigel Gambles

This touring show of the West End hit is as authentic and exciting as you can get. You could really close your eyes and listen and convince yourself it was the real Simon & Garfunkel on stage in front of you.

Playing to a packed Town Hall the show started with the unforgettable notes of Sounds Of Silence coming from the speakers. The song one of my favourites was performed beautifully.

The show is as it says a story with both Simon and Garfunkel telling their story from humble beginnings in Queens New York to global stardom. As well as I knew the music there were parts of their I had not heard before, such as when they first started they called themselves Tom & Jerry and made one record “Hey, Schoolgirl” in 1957, played here to much applause.

They played the songs in a type of chronological order from the album release dates the first half of the show covering the albums Wednesday Morning 3AM, Sounds Of Silence and Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme. The second half covering their 2 most successful albums Bookends and Bridge Over Troubled Water.

This is a terrific show for anybody who is a fan of the duo or just likes good music. The show ended with a standing ovation unsurprisingly, and this fan went home very happily remembering days gone by.

Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac Tribute

Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac Tribute
Sutton Coldfield Town Hall
Friday 6th September 2024 By Lee Williams
Photography – Lee Williams Photography for Whats On In Sutton Coldfield

Go Your Own Way – Such an immersive and atmospheric show with the lead singer (as Stevie Nicks) deep in character.  Makes you realise just how many hits Fleetwood Mac had, and how many you know!  From foot tapping, guitars and bright lights to long sequence almost ‘prog-rock’ songs with a touch of folk, they sure did Fleetwood Mac proud.  The lighting and acoustics at the Town Hall really got the place alive and all who attended went away with smiles of their faces and songs playing in their heads!

Sutton Coldfield residents can have their say on plan for ‘new era’ of local delivery

PRESS RELEASE 02/09/24

Residents in Sutton Coldfield are being urged to have their say on a Draft Strategic Plan which represents a new era for the Royal Town – aiming to deliver more local control of community services and assets.

 Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council’s Draft Strategic Plan for 2024-2027sets out its priorities for the next four years, and reveals ambitions which include:

  • Working through the Town Centre Regeneration Partnership to strengthen project delivery and help create a revitalised Town Centre.
  • Using devolution powers to transfer control of 14 valued local parks and green spaces to Sutton Coldfield and working with others to create a new Trust to oversee Sutton Park.
  • Stepping in to help avoid reductions in services currently provided by Birmingham City Council, such as library and community services.

For the first time since its inception in 2016, the Town Council is also proposing an increase in the annual precept that residents pay for its services – to help fund this new era of local delivery for Sutton Coldfield.

The Strategic Plan for 2024-2027 is a document that helps set the direction of travel for the Town Council, which can be shaped by all its stakeholders to identify priorities and commitments.

Now the Public Consultation, which runs until Friday, September 27th, 2024, is asking residents to comment on what they think the Town Council’s priorities should be, including if it should step in to support or help avoid reductions in some services currently provided by Birmingham City Council.

The survey also covers topics such as sustainability, heritage and improvements to the town centre.

Launching the consultation, Councillor Simon Ward, Leader of Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, said: “The Draft Strategic Plan is an important document that sets the ambitions for the Town Council over the next four years, and its vital that we hear residents’ opinions on what they think should be the town’s priorities going forward.

“Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council is now firmly established, and we are about to enter a new era of local delivery for residents, bringing more control of valued assets and services into the Royal Town.

“For example, we have identified more than a dozen valued green spaces and parks across Sutton which we would like to transfer to local control, and we want to work with others to make the dream of a trust that oversees Sutton Park a reality.

“We also understand concerns about local services being impacted by reduced budgets at Birmingham City Council, so we are also looking at how the Town Council can step in to help support locally-delivered services.

“And the next four years will be crucial to the rebirth of the Town Centre, and the Town Council will work with the Town Centre Regeneration Partnership to drive forward delivery of the change that everyone wants to see.

“In order to help fund this new era of local delivery, the Draft Strategic Plan also includes the first increase in the annual precept since the council was created – an increase that will help us take control of our own future, protect the unique character of the Royal Town and support threatened services.

“I would urge all Sutton Coldfield residents to engage with the Public Consultation into the Draft Strategic Plan – this is your opportunity to have a say on the future of Sutton Coldfield.”

For the consultation, from the 2nd – 27th of September, thousands of returnable surveys are being delivered to addresses across the Royal Town.

The surveys can be either filled in and posted back to the council offices, at Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, 62 Anchorage Road, Sutton Coldfield, B74 2PG, or returned through 16 drop boxes situated in local churches, community centres and libraries.

Drop boxes will be found at:

  • Sutton Coldfield United Reformed Church
  • Banners Gate Community Hall
  • Wylde Green United Reformed Church
  • St John’s Church
  • St Chad’s Church
  • Four Oaks Baptist Church (Olive Branch)
  • Boldmere Library
  • Walmley Library
  • Mere Green Library
  • Sutton Coldfield Library
  • Harvest Fields Centre Ark Community Church
  • Our Place Support
  • Sutton Coldfield Town Hall
  • Second Thoughts (Falcon Lodge)
  • Trinity Centre

The survey includes a summary of key points in the Draft Strategic Plan, and residents can view the full document by visiting www.suttoncoldfieldtowncouncil.gov.uk.

Alternatively, the survey can also be filled in online at the Council’s website.

You can also have your say in face-to-face community meetings across Sutton Coldfield throughout September – see below for dates and locations.

 

Date Wards Location
Monday 2nd September Four Oaks and Mere Green Four Oaks Methodist Church
Wednesday 4th September Walmley and Minworth Sutton Coldfield Rugby Club
Thursday 5th September Reddicap Falcon Lodge Methodist Church
Monday 9th September Vesey Wylde Green United Reformed Church
Monday 16th September Wylde Green Wylde Green Community Hall
Thursday 26th September Trinity and Roughley Trinity Centre

 

 

Visitor Information

 

 

 

Guidelines For Visitors To Aston Wood Business Club

  • Meetings are held every Friday at Aston Wood Golf Club, post code, and three words attached along with a map
  • The visitors business category must be eligible
  • Visitors may visit Aston Wood Business Club twice during these visits you will be able to do a two minute talk on your business – what’s happening and what sort of introductions you are looking for.
  • If you decide you want to join AWBC, on your third visit you will be required to do a five minute presentation on your business and what you can bring to AWBC
  • You will be expected to attend all meetings and in the case you cannot attend you will be expected to supply a substitute
  • A full English breakfast will be served, if you have any dietary requirements please inform us ahead of the meeting.

Sample Agenda

7.10 – Welcome To Members & Guests

  Education Slot

  Two Minute Talks

  Breakfast

  Feature Presentation

  Contributions – Referrals & Testimonials

  Membership Info and AOB

  Social Events

8.45 – Close

Handy hints

Here’s a checklist of activities you could go through at the start of your meeting. They give you a clear summary of what everyone should expect to be able to do, and how they can expect to be treated.

Ask yourself ‘Have I…’

• Checked the agenda

  • Made notes on what I want to say
  • Got written responses to anything I’ve been asked to reply to
  • Arranged to be there for the whole meeting

Tell yourself ‘I will…..’

  • Really listen to what people say
  • Leave me own problems at the door
  • Make my criticisms constructively
  • Make at least one well prepared contribution
  • Enjoy myself

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