Ups and Downs show has audience on a high

Mar 26 2009 by Shirley Bartynek, Hamilton Advertiser

Ups and Downs show has audience on a high

THE cast and production team of the Ups and Downs Theatre Group entertained audiences with their show “Take 14”.

The production was staged over five nights, with audiences delighted and thrilled with the cast’s enthusiasm, stage presence and spectacular overall performance.

The production team of Leanne Ramage, Maureen Anderson and musical director David Black can be proud of the cast, who never seem to tire of their enthusiasm for the songs and dances which they perform and who again and again produce a show of outstanding quality.

The opening scene focused on time, with well- known tunes including “Good Morning Baltimore”, “On a Clear Day” and “The Night has a Thousand Eyes”.

“So Long Farewell”, that classic song from The Sound of Music, followed before the junior and intermediate cast brought "Bedtime" to life with their favourite things, “Wee Willie Winkie” and “You're Never Fully Dressed” to name but a few.

Another interact followed, with some of the senior cast "Dancing the Night Away".

To finish the first half, the audience were treated to a scene which used “Do I Hear a Waltz”, “Le Jazz Hot”, “Bombay Samba” and “At The Ballet” to transport the audience to the world of "Singing and Dancing". The cast were costumed in traditional black and white and looked stunning!

After the interval, the cast took the audience "Over the Rainbow".

Stephanie Crawford ably narrated the cast’s journey and, along the way, many well-known songs and characters including “Lollipop Men”, “Smile” and “Kung-fu Fighters” were used in an adaptation of this well-known tale.

The cast, numbering 61 this year, along with 10 onstage helpers, can be proud of their achievements this week.

They captured their audiences with their own brand of humour, song and dance and are to be congratulated on a job extremely well done.

The production could not be staged without the help - week by week - of an army of parent helpers and friends.

They gave of their time freely to sew costumes, paint scenery and then, during show week, help front of house and backstage.

"Take 14" has been another successful production for the group.

Everyone can now look forward to a well-earned rest before work starts again in August for "Take 15".

This show will be staged in March of next year in Hamilton Town House, a change of venue from Motherwell Theatre, which is being modernised.