A Night at the Musicals – Futurist Theatre Productions – Otley Parish Church

Review by John Burland

Wow, what a show and what a brilliant set of young performers! This highly talented group has been running for a couple of years now but this is the first time that I have seen them. However, it will certainly not be the last as I was totally blown away by this stunning performance at Otley Parish Church.

There were songs from a total of thirteen different musicals, with three songs from eleven of the musicals plus and opening and closing number from the other two. The musicals included Rent, The Bodyguard, The Sound of Music, Cabaret, The Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ Superstar, Sister Act, Mamma Mia, Matilda, We Will Rock You, Kinky Boots, Billy Elliot and Les Misérables.

The group takes young people from the age of 10 to 24, although the performance was supplemented by two or three others above the upper age limit. Producer and lighting and video supremo is Jamie Hudson who is ably supported by Will Rowson as Musical Director and Catherine Moglia as Director & Choreographer.

Whilst every member of the cast played their part in this wonderful production, I must highlight two or three stand out performances. Firstly, Elysia Britton who was outstanding in her numbers of “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” from The Bodyguard and “Somebody to Love” from We Will Rock You. Tom Patrick too was outstanding in “Land of Lola” and “Not My Father’s Son” from Kinky Boots and also in the duet “You and Me” with Toby Womack from The Book of Mormon. I have never seen this musical before but it is highly amusing and the eight older male members brought out the humour superbly. Plaudits also must go to Will Sammon and Charlotte Proctor for their rendition of “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” from the Sound of Music, Eve Kitchingman who was great in “Cabaret” from the musical of the same name and Tom Lillywhite as MC in this as well with his rendition of “Wilkommen”. Finally, I cannot conclude without mentioning the young girls performing in the Matilda segue and Malachy Bray for his excellent singing and brilliant dancing in “Electricity” from Billy Elliott.

The group is performing again for four nights from Thursday to Sunday with the show at Yeadon Town Hall and if you have not already got tickets I would highly recommend you book today. Thursday to Saturday shows are at 7.30 and Sunday is at 5.30. Box Office is 0113 2420022 or on line via www.futurist.co.uk I can assure you, you will certainly not be disappointed.