Sunday 30 November 2008

The Rattonians An Evening Of Song And Dance, Congress Theatre, Eastbourne

The Rattonians proudly present An evening of song and dance. Sunday 30th Nov 2008. The Congress Theatre Eastbourne.

OK I've already raved about The Rattonians following their summer show this year so you won't be surprised that I'm going to do so again. A very-near-full Congress Theatre audience will probably do the same given the chance.

But this time we took along an elderly friend in her 70's who hadn't been to the Congress Theatre in over 30 years. We didn't tell her where we were going or what or who we were going to see.

After the first half of the show she turned to me and said "This is just as good as any West End show. They (The Rattonians) are all so completely professional and the costumes are magnificent." It was reassuring to hear somebody who had never even heard of The Rattonians before this evening say what we have thought since first seeing them.

Anyway this was a very well thought out tribute to the work of The Rattonians and at a very apt time as they approach their 25th year of performances.

The first half was made up of songs most of which they have performed in their stage musicals (such as Les Miserables, Fame and Copacabana) and a few of which they have not (yet?) performed.

Very nicely the second half was a Christmas themed section with a great variety of yuletide singing and dancing. Santa Baby, White Christmas, and Here Comes Santa Claus made up just a few of the sequences.The Girls performing "Something About A Soldier" and the 'older' cast members adding a comedy routine of the 12 days of Christmas added to the variety of a completely fantastic show. Barnaby Pout even almost took a career change into stand-up comedy!

With the Rattonians you don't pick out individual performances because the whole company is so completely dedicated and professional. However I feel I should mention the band who often get forgotten. They do a super job too and whilst I don't have his name I must congratulate the pianist who's playing was not only superb but he is so animated in his performance he was almost a 'show within a show'. I think it was 'Dave' conducting the choir who said he taught the pianist and had always thought he would go places in his career. He won't be wrong!

Nice also to see my MySpace buddy Damon kicking off the evening towering above the rest of the company (he's a tall lad) in The Rhythm Of Life and nice wig mate! (at least I think it was a wig!)

Next year, at the Devonshire Park Theatre (15th Apr-18th Apr) , the Rattonians Youth Group will be putting on the Just So musical. Tickets £12-£14. This is a musical based on Rudyard Kipling's "Just So Stories".

Whilst from 22nd July to 1st August 2009 the summer Rattonians feature at the Congress Theatre will be Mel Brook's musical comedy The Producers.

You shouldn't wish your life away but roll on Summer 2009!

The Rattonians present The Producers a Mel Brooks musical

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