Stage groups join forces for spectacular charity concert

 

* A scene from Ab Fab. Picture: Jeanette Robinson.

Using the most tuneful, colourful and downright hilarious bits from their own smash-hit shows – along with some fresh new material - all three of the town’s top stage groups are currently teaming up for the first time ever to present the brilliant Llangollen on Show at the Town Hall.

Last night’s opening performance of the history-making variety and music hall compendium was a real belter with an amazing range of talent on parade courtesy of the Operatic Society, the Twenty Club and the Collen Players.

Both the ensemble numbers and the soloists had the audience singing heartily along.   

And there’s still time to catch the second of the two shows, this evening at 7.30pm.

All proceeds will go to support the Disaster Emergency Committee in which 15 of the UK’s top charities have come together to supply a lifeline to thousands of survivors of the earthquake which devastated southern and central Turkey and northern and western Syria on February 6.

* Twenty Club's First World War comedy sketch.

Kicking off the show in fine style is a strong Twenty Club cast with their take on a rather famous TV comedy show set, in this instance, during the First World War but which has meandered through various periods of history over the decades. And some cracking lines have the audience in tucks.

Next up comes for the Collen Players comes a powerful solo slot from Shea Ferron, fresh from his triumph as part of the John’s Boys male chorus on Britain’s Got Talent. His version of It’s Hard to Speak My Heart from the musical Parade has all the warmth and feeling for which this talented young performer has rapidly become noted.

* Shea Ferron.

A team from the Operatic brings us a fast-paced medley showcasing their singing and dancing expertise from the West End hit Six, which is based on the many wives of Henry VIII.

* We're Six! Picture: Jeanette Robinson.

Collen Players take the spotlight again with Phil Robinson doing the rousing Victorian music hall honours with a daring ditties entitled The Spaniard That Blighted My Life and Champagne Charlie.

With a voice that glitters as much as her costume Esme Sallnow from the Collen Players next does the high-stepping standard Putting on the Ritz.

* Top hat trio - Gethin Davies, Esme Sallnow and Phil Robinson. Picture: Jeanette Robinson.

The Operatic stay with their big show theme by filling the stage with the joyous tones of Flash Bang Wallop from Half a Sixpence before Twenty Club take take another turn with some clever jokes inspired by TV comedy show The Vicar of Dibley.  

* Flash, Bank Wallop What a Picture. 

The Operatic come back in force to round off the first act with the memorably rumbustious Master of the House from the Les Miserables musical. 

* Master of the House.

The Operatic also open act two with another sing-along number, the high-tempo Oom Pah Pah from Oliver.

Esme Sallnow returns for her second slot for the Collen Players, presenting Lili Marlene, the plaintive soldier’s song famously popular on both sides of the lines during World War Two.

* Oom Pah Pah.

Twenty Club’s next contribution is the Three Queens, a clever interplay of words between the monarchs Elizabeth 1, Victoria and Elizabeth II – with cheeky asides from the late Prince Philip – specially written for this show by Ian Wright.

We head back to good old music hall days for the second appearance by Shea Ferron for the Collen Players with the clever little piece She Was One of the Early Birds.

* Three Queens. Picture: Jeanette Robinson.

Then for something completely different – because that’s the very nature of variety – Twenty Club return with their own absolutely hilarious take on Ab Fabs.

And in another contrast of style it’s time for the dapper-suited Gethin Davies to perform two wonderfully intricate comic songs by the ingenious duo Flanders and Swann, namely Have Some Madeira M’Dear and the Hippopatamus Song.

This is followed by a second dotty sketch routine inspired by The Vicar of Dibley from the versatile Twenty Club.

* Vicar of Dibley sketch. Picture: Mike Jones.

There’s nothing like finishing on a big and breezy song-and-dance number and they don’t come much bigger and breezier than the Lambeth Walk from the musical Me and My Girl, presented with gusto by the Operatic joined by a strong contingent from their Young ‘Uns junior section.

* The Lambeth Walk.

Binding the whole show together with his witty introductions and asides in the manner of the music hall chairmen of old is the Collen Players’ founder Lee Taylor.

* Chairman Lee Taylor. Picture: Mike Jones. 

He wraps up by inviting the entire cast back on stage to lead the audience in a couple of choruses of music hall finale favourite Down at the Old Bull and Bush.

Excellent live musical accompaniment is provided by the soloists by Jayne Belton and Eulanwy Davies on piano and Steve Lloyd on percussion.

Much credit must also go to the large production team who have spent many hours ensuring the smooth running of the show. This includes Pamela Williams, Tracey Jones, Chrissie Ashworth, Caroline Anthonisz, Jayne Belton, Sian Glynne-Jones, Malcolm Potter, Mike Jones, Lee Taylor and Leigh Mason, James Barber. 

It all adds up to a fine night of entertainment offering three highly polished performances, in very differing styles, for the price of one - and in a great cause. You’ll be sorry if you miss it!

* Tickets for tonight's show, priced at £12 (no concessions) are available online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety, or from Courtyard Books, Llangollen, and the Llangollen Oggie Shop in Caste Street or on the door.