‘Take 13’ is a winner for Ups and Downs

Mar 27 2008 By Shirley Bartynek

“TAKE 13” may sound unlucky for some but this couldn’t be said of the Ups and Downs Theatre Group, who once again thrilled their audiences over five nights at Motherwell Civic Theatre with their own style of music, drama and entertainment.

The opening scene, Cats and Kittens, featured many of the famous numbers from the long-running show Cats and the cast are to be congratulated on their interpretation of all the numbers.

A routine followed, with David, Colin, Paul, Graeme and Daniel performing their own version of the song “Thriller”.

Scene 2 saw Junior and Intermediate cast members introduce the audience to MonSTARS, with Ghostbusters, Monster Mash, Friendly Ghost and Time Warp to name a few of the well-known songs which were performed.

Following this scene, Kate Strachan, a friend of the group from Hamilton, sang As if we Never Said Goodbye and Don’t Rain On My Parade before the cast finished off the first half with songs from “Seasons of Love” which included Bring me Sunshine, Summertime, Summer Nights and September Song.

The Second Half was entitled “The Adventures of Tarzan in the Jungle” and followed the story of Tarzan and Jane, played by Paul Fraser and Catherine Kennedy, throughout their time in the jungle. Songs included Bear Necessities, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Ugly Bug Ball and Circle of Life.

The audience were taken on a journey through the well-known story ably told by the cast in drama and song.

The new-look production team this year, with Leanne Ramage making the step up to producer and Maureen Anderson joining as assistant producer, together with musical director David Black certainly put together an excellent 13th Show, of which everyone can be proud.

The ever-present army of helpers, costume, scenery, backstage and props departments, front of house staff, and parents who all commit six months of each year to rehearsing before Show Week, can look back at “Take 13” and say that this was a job well done.

A well-earned rest now awaits everyone connected with the group, but there is no doubt that the eager audiences who faithfully support the group will be waiting in anticipation for “Take 14” in March 2009.

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