Something Old Something New 21 was presented by students from the Musical Theatre Academy (MTA). The revue is streaming until 1 May 2021 via Stream Theatre.
Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ ✩ ✩
As always there’s a delightful freshness in The MTA’s annual revue which showcases the talents of graduating second years and provides opportunities for first years who’ve been training for only two terms. It’s a formula which has worked well since the college was founded by Annemarie Lewis Thomas in 2009.
Of course there are differences this year. I watched SOSN 21 via YouTube rather than live in the Bridewell Theatre so there is less atmosphere. And, although the show has been rehearsed and performed in the theatre there have, inevitably, been constraints regarding bubbles, social distancing and masks – none of which shows in the final performance thanks to the skills of a team of first rate choreographers.
The other big difference is that these students have had most of their training online rather than face to face in studios and, in places, that shows. In one duet number, for example, the intonation and voice blending is very wonky and I suspect conventional teaching would have sorted that or perhaps it was badly chosen material. There are also a few minor glitches with sound management and the position of mics.
None of that, however, detracts much from the prevailing joy and excellence of this uplifting show and the 40 or so talented, accomplished performers who are its backbone.
Emma Thrower, who certainly isn’t a stereotypical musical theatre performer, has a larger than life capacity to light up the stage whenever she’s on it. Her voice is sweet, resonant and eloquent and she has oodles of energetic stage presence along with a quiet smile and a lot of warmth. Definitely one to watch for.
Thrower is one of several in this showcase who turns out also to be an actor muso and it is good to see this allowed to shine in a medley number featuring three singing guitarists and a pianist – all responding to each other sensitively.
Ava Fletcher’s rendering of ‘No One But You’, dedicated to her mother, is both powerful and moving. It also presents a young woman with an impressive range both musically and dramatically.
Others who shine – in a show without “stars” and plenty of pleasing ensemble work – include Antoine Paulin, Rae Morgan and Stamatis Seraphim.
As usual this year’s SOSN makes imaginative use of its handful of “boy” students. It’s a pity that they constitute only about one eighth of the company but this is a fully independent college which – commendably – recruits entirely on talent and potential rather than trying to fulfil quotas of any sort.
Looking forward to SOSN 22 already – in the Bridewell, please.
Susan Elkin
SHARE THIS POST:
Comments are closed.