EU Footlight’s Show Choir Production Down the Hatch, running at Pleasance Theatre between 27-29 March, showcased the expertise of numerous creatives. Incorporating a vast breath of musical theatre, folk songs, and even original works, Footlights created their very own juke-box musical around their “The Wayfaring Stranger” Tavern. Atmospheric, captivating and enchanting: audiences were lured down the hatch into the magical world created on stage…
As is the style of a show choir, each performer had their individual moment of unobscured limelight: standouts included Martha Keegan’s heartfelt and emotive rendition of “The Life I Never Led” infused with as much character as vocal prowess, whilst Ewan Robertson’s “My Lagan Love,” executed beautifully, lulled the audience further into the undertones of folklore integrated in the story. Each cast member impressed in their own right; an array of songs performed by many different characters appealed to and catered for all audiences.
The production was littered also with ensemble pieces: Lily Hodge’s lead performance of “Master of the House” bolstered by the entire cast, each with characterful interjections, charismatically defined the tavern’s aura, and Izzie Atkinson’s “Hard to be The Bard” displayed perfectly curated silliness throughout the ensemble.
Despite being a “show-choir,” far more than just vocal ability (for which there was an abundance) was displayed: Choreography by Amrit Gill and Aaron Venter awed, especially in “El Tango De Roxanne” as audiences saw Elham Khosravipour dazzle as “Roxanne,” her dance-proficiency at the forefront as she was even held upside-down. Jasper Fuller flourished also: their interlay of dance, at some moments tap-dancing, others en pointe, and musical ability, also performing “Wayfaring Stranger,” showed an expansive mastery of these musical-theatre elements.
Set Design (Rosalyn Harper and Tihani Shahrudin) contributed further: hanging lightbulbs at various levels, and the band on stage, very fittingly padded out the Tavern environment.
A clear passion project for directors Tegan Taylor and Juliet Gentle (Gentle’s father even wrote an original song included), EU Footlights’ Down the Hatch reflected the inviting community from which it emerged. Engaging, enthralling, and even sometimes immersive, audiences were enveloped into this very well-spent night at the theatre.
Image by Andrew Morris courtesy of EU Footlights