3:50pm Friday 6th August 2010
By Stan Meares
THERE is very little reason for me to write a review of this show, because for the last nine or ten years I have said much the same every time: namely, that the Wycombe Swan Summer Youth Project is a marvellous example of how to get the very best out of our young people.
The 250 of them we saw on stage were trained by professionals in the skills of singing, dancing and acting to a degree that created a chorus of considerable sophistication.
The synchronisation of the dancing and, indeed, everything else demonstrated how much hard work had been put into the training and rehearsals – and in just 11 days.
For this we must acknowledge the professionalism of the director, Chas Rimmer, musical director Jim Lunt and choreographer Dennis Victory.
Emma Childs’ ambitious set designs were also major contributions to the show’s undoubted success. At one point there seemed to be a seething mass of humanity whirling about – yet under remarkable control.
The plot is about a group of New York students (actors, dancers and musicians) who for four years study at college with a view to becoming professionals. This storyline is possibly its main weakness, plus a lack of memorable tunes.
As a kind of “behind-the-scenes Broadway” type show it is a poor relation to the likes of Kiss Me Kate or Forty Second Street for example.
The parts as scripted lack strong characterisation, and even when the leading lady (Laura Belardo) dies of an overdose, one tended to shrug it off.
Of the remaining cast, Cyrus Bandon and Stephanie Palmer were outstanding; while Susie Aries, James Hayward, Linda Blackburn, Christina Cameron and Maximillian Tyler made the best of their chances.
If you want a vigorous, attractive musical performed with enthusiasm, a brilliance and panache, do go to one of the remaining three performances.
However, in future one hopes the Project will revert to works of real quality and substance and with some really good tunes. The cast and audience deserve it.
There are three remaining performances of the show – tonight at 7.30pm and Saturday at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.
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