I enjoy going to sea whenever I can, but on this occasion, I was being invited to go to sea, without having to rediscover my sea legs.
I have, in the past seen several shows given by Trowbridge Amateur Operatic Society. Yet this was a first, both for myself as well as for them. I had never seen a production of Cole Porter's ‘Anything Goes’. Until this production, they had never performed at The Arc Theatre.
Cole Porter is well known in the world of musicals. As I was to discover ‘Anything Goes’ has powerful music, strong lyrics and comic lines. Members of the cast believably delivered all of which.
Not for the first time, the reputation of local acting and singing talent of a local company helped to ensure, that for at least one performance during their current production the cast of ‘Anything Goes’ were playing to a full house.
Although, throughout the whole evening I remained firmly on land, by the end of the evening, I felt as though I had been a member of the party on Porter's lyrically penned voyage.
This sense of utter reality was a mark of the actions and reactions of the cast. Performances were strong throughout the entire company, this, in turn is a mark of the vision of both the Director and Musical Director.
Attention to detail is all-important within any theatrical experience. As I stepped ashore for the interval, I glanced down at the auditorium floor, the lights had been set to replicate the slow, gentle, almost inviting ripple of the sea.
It is now time to be honest. The name of the Composer and the reputation of Trowbridge Amateur Operatic Society were not the only things that drew me to The Arc Theatre that evening. I was intrigued. Intrigued to see how the company would adjust to a new venue, one that is smaller.
There is no doubt in my mind, that Trowbridge has three very accomplished theatrical companies. I hope that the latest of them to perform at The Arc Theatre are soon welcomed back.
As I left the theatre, with show tunes going around in my head, I was doubly reassured. This amateur company continue to show more than a trace of professionalism. A company whose members are more than capable of performing in many an auditorium
By Neill Cadmore