I remember it well
A concert devised and directed by Steven Day
Wanstead and Woodford Guardian - June 5 2003
Review by Phyl Romeril
I am a great admirer of anything directed, designed or performed by Steven Day, so I happily gave up a Sunday afternoon to go along to the Kenneth More Theatre to watch Woodford Operatic and Dramatic Society’s concoction of show tunes, songs from the past by Rodgers and Hammerstein/Lerner and Loewe, and Hollywood past and present.
“I Remember It Well” was represented by some strong singers and those with skills in movement, all with the assistance of ASPA School of Performing Arts. The imaginative manner of maintaining continuity between each item was a great success and the solos and choruses were sung with verve and accuracy.
There was plenty of nostalgia along the way. Some songs were pepped up, which may not have appealed to everyone, but on the better side we had Jennie Smith and the children enchanting us with Getting to Know you, the gentlemen with Nothing Like a Dame and the ladies with Climb every Mountain. Captivated so far, we move on to Hollywood to enjoy The Trolley Song, Jacqueline Long with Get Happy, and Martyn and Roger with A Couple of Swells. Moving on to Broadway, Simon Lipkin and the company were unstoppable in Aquarius. Sylvia and Malcolm Woodfield had their moment with I Remember it Well, there was more fun with Brush Up Your Shakespeare and a nice rendition of Day by Day from Debbie and the company.
After the break there was more to come, such as From Russian With Love, (Simon) Diamonds are Forever (Jennie)- I could go on and on. There was a slight change of tempo for Kander and Ebb, All That Jazz (Jacqueline and Chorus) Money Money (Phillip and Steve) and Razzle Dazzle (Martyn and Chorus) The finale went on too long but was necessary to give the ASPA team a spot to emerge as an energetic, well-trained team of dancers. The length of the performance gave the young people an opportunity to display their skills and stage awareness.
This was a concert and something quite different with plenty in the bag to please all. The musical director was Steven Day, and the show was choreographed by Phillip Rowlands. ASPA’s principal and choreographer was Alexandra Hughes.