The latest offing from Eastbourne’s premier amateur theatre group, The Rattonians, is a show that’s been 40 years in the making, as it’s a celebration of the very best shows that they have presented since the group was formed in 1984.
With over 60 productions, featuring 40 different full-length musicals, to choose from it must have been a terrifically difficult job to put together the set list for the show, but what we are about to hear are the “Top 26”. Each song has been chosen for differing reasons, and all are introduced by the co-creators of the group, Mark and Melanie Adams.
Wilkommen from Cabaret is probably the most obvious choice with which to open the show with the rather understated performance leading us into the first of the full company song and dance numbers, the wonderfully colourful and catchy Be Our Guest from Beauty and the Beast. With choreography by Mark and Melanie’s daughter-in-law Debbie Adams, we really get the sense of a family obsessed with high quality musical theatre.
As the first half continues, the varied programme features songs from Kiss Me Kate, Chicago, The Pajama Game and Singing in the Rain and also includes two opportunities for the junior members of the group to shine with Gee, Officer Krupke from West Side Story and a hugely energetic performance of the title song from Fame.
The second act begins with a hugely lavish version of the title song from Barry Manilow’s Copacabana. The number showcases the superb costumes for which The Rattonians are famous, all made “in-house” by their talented wardrobe team. Full of showgirl feathers and stunning suits, and with the powerful lead vocals of Alex Adams (Mark and Melanie’s son), it’s the perfect opening number.
Proving, yet again, that they perform “something for everyone”, the second half features family favourites like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Addams Family and Shrek alongside the classic musicals Mack and Mabel, Crazy for You and Me and My Girl. Added to that we have wonderful solo performances by Alex Adams with the magnificent Being Alive from Stephen Sondheim’s Company, Paula Pout channelling her “inner Enya” with Ireland from Legally Blonde and Eliza Hackett, as Little Red Riding Hood, singing I Know Things Now from another Sondheim great, Into the Woods.
The reputation of The Rattonians is second to none, and very well deserved. In this excellent production, 40 Years and Counting, it is very easy to forget that we are watching people who do what they do for love, not money. It’s not fair to call it amateur theatre, as the entire cast perform like professionals. Their talent, skill, dedication and love for the world of musical theatre is infectious, and ensures them a huge round of applause at the end of a very enjoyable evening.
***** Five Stars