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Cinderella – Trinity Players ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cinderella – Trinity Players
Streetly Community Centre
Wednesday 3rd December– Dress Rehearsal
By Nigel Gambles
Photography – Studio 55 Photography

Trinity Players have once again brought festive magic to Streetly Community Centre with their sparkling pantomime production of Cinderella — a colourful, high-energy show bursting with laughter, warmth, and plenty of community spirit.

Directed by Izzy Clinton and produced by Lewis Wescott, this year’s panto perfectly balances the traditional story with a fresh, modern twist. The result is a lively, laugh-out-loud production that delights audiences of all ages from start to finish.

Sasha Marsh is a natural in the title role — graceful, engaging, and full of charm — while Emily Rogers brings confidence and poise as a refreshingly dynamic Prince Charming. The ever-popular Ben Neville wins hearts as Buttons, delivering spot-on comedy, warmth, and great audience connection.

The wickedly wonderful Jenny Marsh makes a formidable Stepmother, while Paddy Mangan’s Baron Hardup provides solid comic support. James Thomas as Ernie brings extra humour to the mix, and Di Mannion sprinkles stardust aplenty as the ever-wise Fairy Godmother.

Of course, no Cinderella would be complete without its outrageous Ugly Sisters, and Paul Wescott and Richard McNally-Reilly as Donna and Trish Kebab are an absolute riot. Their hilarious interplay, over-the-top costumes, and wicked sense of timing had the audience roaring with laughter throughout.

Under the musical direction of Dan Barnes, the show’s numbers are upbeat and polished, supported by confident vocals and a bright, well-rehearsed ensemble. Leigh-Ann James’ choreography adds flair and energy, keeping the pace lively and the stage bursting with movement and colour.

Visually, the production is a treat — with creative sets, dazzling costumes,

What truly shines through is Trinity Players’ trademark enthusiasm and camaraderie. This is a group that knows exactly what makes pantomime special: a blend of family-friendly fun, strong local talent, and a genuine sense of joy that fills the auditorium.

With its perfect mix of humour, heart, and sparkle, Cinderella is a triumph for Trinity Players — a magical evening of entertainment that leaves audiences smiling long after the final bow.

Sweet & Sour Tribute To Sabrina Carpenter & Olivia Rodrigo

Sweet & Sour Tribute To Sabrina Carpenter & Olivia Rodrigo

Sutton Coldfield Town Hall

Thursday 28th May 2025

By : Lee Williams

Photography by : Lee Williams Photography for WOISC

What an amazing show full of pop anthems and hits from these two rising stars. It featured a powerhouse live band with dynamic dancers. The singers were full of sass and swagger and controlled the stage. Olivia sang her big hits such as Vampire and Drivers Licence and Sabrina sang Nonsense and Please Please Please. The crowd loved every minute of this wonderful show and were out of their seats from the very start. Such great singers, they gave an amazing performance.

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.

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