EAST Berkshire Operatic Society’s latest show, Woman Up had audience members standing up to applaud the all female cast.
The show, a mix of solos, duets, trios and group numbers was a celebration, and a powerful tribute to the roles of women in musical theatre.
The audience of both men and women loved it.
In recognition of International Womens’ Day on March 8, the production was conceived by director and choreographer Sophie Horrox, with musical direction from Abi Burrows.
The show was entirely manned, or rather womanned, by a female team that carried out every aspect of the show from front of house, to design, to technical operation, scene painting, and seating construction.
Programme design, and the striking stage image, was created by Sophie’s sister, Olivia Horrox.
Performing songs from a wide variety of musical shows, the cast of thirteen women filled the Pinewood theatre in Wokingham, with melodies that delighted, touched, and entertained.
Sophie Horrox chose an excellent set of songs, giving her singers the opportunity to convey a colourful range of emotions, along with excellent harmonies and dance routines.
The programme included numbers from musicals including Come From Away, Hamilton, Hairspray, Six, and Made In Dagenham.
They allowed the cast to fill the stage with waves of powerful group energy and poignant, solo and duet moments.
Pieces were perfectly married to each performer’s voice, and not one of them disappointed.
But it wasn’t just a night of music – each number in the show was performed with integrity, and often, humour.
Emily Burton’s joyful and skilfully executed opening number, Me And The Sky, from Come From Away, was a jubilant start to the evening.
It set the scene, and the high bar, for all that was to come.
What followed were excellent performances from Emily Hobbs, Helen Hall, Hannah Coe, Janine Pegg, Kelly Cross, Kirsty McDougall, Natalie Hayllor, Natalie Godding, NIcola Jones, Nicola Morrin, Robyn Parton, and Sian Price-Marshall.
They were evidently an ensemble that loved working together.
Not only were they talented performers, but women enthusiastic to welcome the audience into their world.
The show’s strapline was Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History.
These women may not have ‘behaved well’ but their night of songs was a joyful and skilful triumph – a celebration of what it means to be a woman.
So, thumbs up, hands up, and like the audience, stand up – for Woman up.
EBOS is one of the leading amateur dramatic and musical theatre societies in Berkshire.
For more information about the group, visit: www.ebos.org.uk
