Saturday, July 23, 2022

Collen Players present their red-hot summer show

* The entire Collen Players cast on stage for the finale. All pictures by Jeanette Robinson.

* Chairman Lee Taylor Opens the proceedings.

* Sue Stokes was the first act of the night.


* Phil Robinson presents his two songs.


* Banjo man Andy Eastwood performs.


* Mike Connolly on stage.


* Musical theatre specialist Shea Ferron.

The Collen Players took to the Community Hall stage for their summer old time music hall and variety show yesterday (Friday) evening.

Once again under the skilful and sometimes cheeky chairmanship of their founder Father Lee Taylor, the cast presented a package of the kind of diverse entertainment that the regular audience has come to know and relish.

After the usual opening sing-along - including the favourite Sons of the Sea - we were back in the naughty 1890s to see Sue Stokes give a lively rendering of the old music hall number K-K-K Katy followed by a soulful Fields of Athenry.

This warmed things up suitably for Phil Robinson to remind everyone why his Victorian character had won the boozy title of Champagne Charlie before heading off to an old-time fair with I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts.

Next came the first appearance of the night of accomplished George Formby tribute act Andy Eastwood, strumming out a string of the toothy Lancashire performer's biggest hits including Little Stick of Blackpool Rock and I'm Leaning on a Lampost.  

After the interval the chairman introduced Mike Connolly showing off in song his Two Lovely Black Eyes followed by the clever Hippopotamus Song.

Reminding us that music hall/variety isn't just for those who might actually remember its glory days, young Shea Ferron bounded on to deliver two musical theatre stormer, Who I'd Be from Shrek and Stars from Les Miserables.

Back for a welcome second appearance came Andy Eastwood to swap instruments and musical styles, using the violin to play stirring themes from Dambusters March and The Great Escape before another successful Collen Players outing was rounded off with the usual rousing choruses of Down at the Old Bull and Bush led from the stage by the whole company.

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