Musical Madness

Pastiche Musical Theatre
Compass Theatre, Ickenham
Thurs 25th - Sat 27th July 2013

Pastiche Musical Theatre presented their annual summer concert, Musical Madness, at the Compass Theatre in Ickenham, this year to raise money for the Renal Unit at Hammersmith Hospital. This choice of recipient was suggested after the recent passing of Joyce Harkness who was sister to Jean Hobson, one of the founders of Pastiche Musical Theatre. Joyce was for many years an active member of Pastiche and in latter years ran the box office. Over the fifteen years since its formation, Pastiche has raised over £51,000 for a range of charities and organisations.

The summer concert is traditionally a collection of music, song and dance from The West End, Broadway and Hollywood with a few novelties, music hall numbers and personal favourites thrown in. After the rousing opening number 'Shine' their youngest member, Eva Rigby made her solo debut with ‘Hi Diddley Dee’ from Pinnochio. On this showing Eva is surely going on to a long and distinguished career as a performer. The girls of the group performed a highly innovative dance routine to the 'Benny Hill' theme, where they were all dressed in a split black and white costumes and all standing in line next to each other gave an unusual visual illusion - I guess you had to be there, but the crowd certainly loved it.

The ladies came up trumps again with a lovely rendition from Miss Saigon, 'Movie in My Mind' with haunting harmonies. Another youngster, Duncan Austin, gave us a spirited 'Any Dream Will Do' from Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat again with a harmonious backing from group members.

After the break, we were all taken down memory lane with a 'Wartime Medley' which included 'Roll Out The Barrel', 'A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square', 'White Cliffs of Dover' and 'Lambeth Walk'. Later, Eva Rigby was up again this time joined by her mum Jenny and sister Megan in 'Shrek: I know it's today'. Before the finale Ian Collyer got the audience to join him an old music hall number 'Two Lovely Black Eyes'. The final song was a number unfamiliar to many, 'Shine on Down' written by Daniel Boys for a musical called 'Teatro' and had a rousing finale feel.

The whole show was varied, flowed very well and was thoroughly entertaining, there was certainly something for everyone in the programme and included performers from ages 7 to 70. Pastiche will be back at the Compass Theatre next March 2014, when they present their next Musical, 'Thoroughly Modern Millie'. More information about the work of Pastiche and the Charities that they support can be found at www.pastichemusicaltheatre.co.uk

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Simon Tidball