There was an Emile Zola quote on the front of the programme for West Suffolk College’s production of 60s musical, A Slice of Saturday Night: “If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I, an artist, will answer you: I am here to live out loud.”
This sentiment perfectly summed up Thursday night’s performance, which was loud, proud and rather wonderful. At the end of the evening, I heard one audience member say: “I haven’t laughed so much in ages.” Quietly, under my breath, I thought, “I haven’t cried so much either!”
The musical, which finishes tomorrow night, is a raucous, cheeky, and at times touching exploration of trying to negotiate love and life at 17.
The performances by the students from Conservatoire East were highly accomplished and, as West Suffolk College principal Nikos Savvas said, one of the great joys for those of us who have seen these students in all their performances this year, was to see how much they have all grown in confidence and skill since beginning their training under inspirational show director Gary Willis.
The standard was high, with all the principals owning their roles and singing brilliantly alongside an excellent ensemble cast.
Ever since Dracula, Charlie Bedingham has commanded the stage, this time as bar owner, Eric, while Adrian Seeley as heartbreaker, Gary, and George Lane as desperate Eddie, were hilarious, particularly in the scene when overindulgence left their characters feeling a bit sick!
Paris Moulds, Robbie Noonan and Jordan Cooper, are, quite simply, stars. Kira Brophy was a brilliant Bridget. And my personal favourite song was the hilarious and poignant Love On Our Side by wonderful Jade Laurie and Elliot Stribling. I also enjoyed Please Don’t Tell Me, where the cast sings: “Don’t put us down”.
Who would, after this?
Liz Nice
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