words by Eve Davies
In aid of Ty HafanÔÇÖs ChildrenÔÇÖs Hospice, on Sunday 19 February, Act One held its annual Variety Night. Having attended a couple of Act One shows previously, I was delighted to be invited along to review their matinee performance of Variety Night ÔÇô and it certainly didnÔÇÖt disappoint.
Act One presented ÔÇÿA Night of NostalgiaÔÇÖ to match their chosen charity this year, which celebrated all things childhood. Combining musical acts with monologues and poetry recitals, the performance catered to various artistic tastes. Founded by Suzanne Goodal Ty HafanÔÇÖs doors opened in Cardiff in 1990 when they began their mission of providing specialist medical and holistic support to children and families suffering life-shortening conditions. The Variety Night production team chose the theme of childhood because at university you are in a strange stage in your life where you are thrown into independence, but you donÔÇÖt always feel like a fully functioning adult. Using music and literature from Disney hits to poems by Carol Ann Duffy, the reminiscence on childhood urged audiences to feel grateful for warm early-life memories.
Tash Sood did a brilliant job of compering the entire show. Following her delightful introduction, the first act opened with a Mary Poppins classic. ÔÇÿJolly HolidayÔÇÖ was performed by Sam Gavin-Pitt and Amy Sproston, who set the standard high.
From the first tune, it was clear that the onstage band led by Sophie Bull are remarkable. Delivering a diversity of music to support every act, the talent shown by these young musicians was striking.
The production team also got involved on stage! Director Miah Herford opened act two with a remarkable recital of ÔÇÿChildhoodÔÇÖ. Co-musical director Sophie Bull did an immaculate job of conducting the band while playing the lead piano. Her partner musical director Lucie Rhiannon Williams became Peter Pan in a stunning rendition of ÔÇÿNever Never LandÔÇÖ.
Impressively, members of the cast learned to waltz especially for the show. Amy SprostonÔÇÖs charming vocals accompanied eight dancers in a performance of ÔÇÿOnce Upon a DecemberÔÇÖ from the musical Anastasia.
For her first of three outstanding vocal performances, Mimi Brown was joined by Jess Wray for ÔÇÿStay with MeÔÇÖ from Into the Woods. Luke Knights showed his acting talents in his recital of ÔÇÿAn Elephant in the GardenÔÇÖ. Additionally, Hannah WillmanÔÇÖs recitals of ÔÇÿSafe SoundsÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿThe Oldest Girl in the WorldÔÇÖ reminded us of the comforting senses of childhood.
To end act one, the cast united to perform ÔÇÿWhen I Grow UpÔÇÖ from Matilda ÔÇô a classic childhood musical reminding us of the frustrations of youth.
Act two maintained standards. Act OneÔÇÖs sweetheart Joe Tallamay performed ÔÇÿOn Your Way HomeÔÇÖ from James and the Giant Peach before joining Onga Gwababa, Mimi Brown, and Ben Alberts to perform a beautiful quartet of ÔÇÿNo One is AloneÔÇÖ.
Rhiannon GreenÔÇÖs vocals accompanied by Marcus Kong on guitar in their performance of Mamma Mia hit ÔÇÿSlipping Through My FingersÔÇÖ was simply beautiful ÔÇô personally, this was one of my favourite acts.
Giving the West End a run for their money, the final song was ÔÇÿI Know ItÔÇÖs TodayÔÇÖ from Shrek The Musical, sung beautifully by three FionaÔÇÖs of varying ages (i.e. Kayleigh Lloyd, Onga Gwababa, and Jessica Wray).
At the end, the cast and crew united on stage to great applause from the audience. It is evident that Act One society holds an immense amount of talent and work together to bring their individual talents to the stage. ÔÇÿVariety Night: A Night of NostalgiaÔÇÖ was a brilliant success, making for a truly wholesome Sunday afternoon.
A special thanks to Act One society for inviting us to their Variety Night.
Production Team:
- Miah Herford ÔÇô Director
- Sophie Bull ÔÇô Co-Musical Director
- Lucie Rhiannon Williams ÔÇô Co-Musical Director
- Anesha Hamood ÔÇô Production Manager
The Cast:
- Amy Sproston
- Ben Alberts
- Hannah Willman
- Jessica Wray
- Joseph Tallamy
- Kayleigh Lloyd
- Luke Knights
- Mimi Brown
- Onga Gwababa
- Rhiannon Green
- Sam Gavin-Pitt
- Sarah Houston
- Tash Sood
The Band:
- Aileen Cleary ÔÇô Bass
- Evie Ingles ÔÇô Reeds 2
- Harry Mcinroy ÔÇô Trumpet
- Isabel Meakin ÔÇô French horn
- Jimmy Yeung ÔÇô Cello
- Katy Rimmington ÔÇô Violin 2 / guitar 2
- Lily Rayner ÔÇô Keys 2
- Marcus Kong ÔÇô Violin 2 / Guitar 2
- Newman Tai ÔÇô Keys 2
- Rebecca Jolliffe ÔÇô Reeds 1
- Thomas Shaw ÔÇô Guitar 1
- Will Bailey ÔÇô Trombone
The Crew:
- Dan Harrin ÔÇô Sound
- Lilly Wolford ÔÇô Stage Manager
- Naomi Olotu ÔÇô Publicity Officer
- Nyah Mohindru ÔÇô Stagehand
- Stephie Proctor ÔÇô Stagehand
- Tim Winterborn ÔÇô Sound
- Toby Robertson ÔÇô Lighting
Act One will present A Few Good Men from 2 March to 4 March at CardiffÔÇÖs Temple of Peace.