Spotlight Express was a two Act show.
Act One – The Last Bread Pudding – A Comedy by Nick Warburton
The committee of an amateur drama group is meeting to discuss a new play. We notice that, strangely, the presentation of the meeting to us is reflecting the ideas put forward by the committee, making the play a demonstration as well as a discussion of those ideas.
This was a clever and entertaining production, directed with skill by Jackie Bingham and extremely well cast.
The Cast:
Ken – Peter Samain
Denise – Jane Rainer
Jan – Jody Michelle Chapman
Fleur – Vicki McDicken
Phyllis – Sam Bailey
Jack – David Bingham
The Tramp – Adam Kellingray-Williamson
It was very well received by the packed audience – especially its conclusion full of twists and turns.
Act Two
A variety show
This gave the Players yet another chance to showcase its talented members.
It was an opportunity for our audience to see the inimitable, hilarious Maureen Larkin with Anthony Bunting, together once again as compères for the evening of 28th June. (Jackie Bingham stepped up to fill the role on 29th).
The second half began with a medley of dances from Funky Feet, choreographed by the extraordinary Miss Vicky. The finale concluded with a Rogers & Hammerstein medley of songs from their 9 smash hit Broadway Musicals, from The Sound of Music to South Pacific, from Oklahoma! to Carousel.
Sandwiched in between was a glittering array of solos, duets, interspersed with comedy sketches – all written by Steve Burton – with the exception of the Parrot sketch.
All our soloists were superbly accompanied by Adam Kellingray-Williamson.
Gemma Buskell was our first soloist – in the character of the Little Mermaid singing a lovely version of Part of Your World. Her voice was perfect for the song and her characterisation gave it real feeling and honesty.
Next up comedy “Its Easy When You Know How” with an hilarious take on modern life and the gadgets that go with it. Played with great comedic skill by Beth Rose-Waghorn and Sam Bailey.
Following that, dressed in suitable rainwear were David Bingham and Peter Samain singing the Flanders & Swan comedy favourite which they called The Weather Report – “June just rains and never stops” was a fitting line for 2024.
The Motorbike followed – a sketch featuring the comedic talents of Adam Kellingray-Williamson and Gemma Buskell – was an hilarious look at the lure of the Harley Davidson!
We are blessed with great singing talent and next to perform were Vicki McDicken and Jody Michelle Chapman who gave a stellar performance of I Know Him So Well – from the musical Chess.
More comedy followed staring Dawn Cartwight in her first Variety Show role and Beth Rose-Waghorn in a sketch called “The Guinea Pig”. In Fawlty Towers fashion this hilarious farce descended to chaos with rodents swimming in the soup.
Our final soloist featured the amazing voice and acting talent of Jody Michelle Chapman giving a powerful, perfectly performed version of As If We Never Said Goodbye – from Sunset Boulavard.
Our final sketch was an old Monty Python favourite – Parrot (Aka The Dead Parrot). The part of John Cleese superbly played by Peter Samain, backed up by Michael Palin’s preposterous Pet Shop owner played with great comic timing by David Bingham.
Our rousing Rogers & Hammerstein finale featured
Adam Kellingray-Williamson
Vicki McDicken
Sam Bailey
Jane Rainer
Gemma Buskell
Jody Michelle Chapman
David Bingham
The medley was directed by Adam who also created the backing track.
The whole show was very well received. There was a collection made for Hospice Care that came to £69.
