Carlisle Musical Society
– Any Dream Will Do, The Sands Centre, CarlisleCarlisle Musical Society and guests staged an evening of music, song and dance which delighted and entertained a packed Sands Centre last Saturday evening.

Under the expert guidance of producer Harry King and Musical director Janice Jackson, the Society gave performances from a diverse range of popular shows, from old favourites such as The Sound of Music, to the more modern Hairspray, offering up a mix of stirring solos and rousing chorus numbers which showcased the many talents of its members. Clever lighting and some slick choreography enhanced the performances, with Radio Cumbria’s Gordon Swindlehurst bringing some light-hearted banter to the proceedings.

Guests The Border Concert Band were impressive, giving us a taste of Big Band music featuring Cole Porter, as well as accompanying the Society in some of the bigger numbers, giving members a rare chance to perform to the sound of a large-scale live band.

The Gretna and District Choral Society performed a selection from their varied repertoire, including a tricky Lennon/McCartney medley and a quirky take on Bach’s Sleepers Wake which raised a smile among audience members.

Pupils from William Howard School’s extracts from their recent production of Oliver! saw excellent solo performances supported by a strong chorus, and joined by the Society for a couple of numbers, this was surely one of the highlights of the evening.

Other treats included a cartwheeling Harry King Jr and a delightful performance from Claudia Greenaway to raise funds for the Eden Valley Hospice.

The evening culminated with a storming finale from Harispray which had the audience singing and clapping along before the curtain closed on another Carlisle Musical Society success.

CAROLYN MOONEY