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If anyone doubts whether musical theatre has a bright future in Scotland, look no further than the bursting talent on the stage of Glasgow’s SEC Armadillo in this year’s Movies to Musicals.
Celebrating its tenth anniversary on the vast Armadillo stage, Movies to Musicals brings together the most enthusiastic and talented troupe of young people and some of musical theatre’s biggest names.
Movies to Musicals, the annual showcase production of Glasgow Philharmonia, welcomes stars to join the evening’s entertainment and never fails to bring some of the biggest names in musical theatre to Scotland’s biggest city.
In its biggest production ever, Kerry Ellis and John Owen-Jones bring huge star quality to this swanky evening, singing some of their best-known hits from some of the biggest musicals on stage. Sabrina Carter, Paul Tabone and Lucy Kay complete the all-star lineup.
Full of sparkle and song, this production puts the spotlight on the incredible talent of the future stars of the industry. The confidence of these young performers is extraordinary and is all put together in a production fit for the venue it plays.
An interesting selection of songs sees big Broadway ballads from Funny Girl to Six paired with lesser-known standards from Love Never Dies and Newsies. A self-indulgent percussive Stomp revue and an extended School of Rock medley could be tightened.
With a show of this scale some technical hitches are bound to happen, but the young cast deal with these particular well – a very good training for a long future in the business!
Following a broadly similar format to previous incarnations, a wider refresh for such a significant anniversary might have been appropriate. Still, it’s hard not to be taken in by the array of songs that showcase the best of Scotland’s young musical theatre performers.
A Scottish explosion brings the concert to a close with a bang – complete with bagpipes, Highland dancers and a Proclaimers song that raises the roof.
The young people are the stars of this show and their talent is a testament to endless days of rehearsal, training and passion. It’s a joy to see them shine!
Movies to Musicals at SEC Armadillo, Glasgow – reviewed on Saturday 17th February 2024
