The Stage

The Show 8 - Expressions Academy Student Showcase

Published Wednesday 13 July 2011 at 12:34 by Kevin Berry

Mansfield’s Palace Theatre, a gem of a venue, was packed out and buzzing for the summer show from the Expression Academy of Performing Arts, with graduating students showcasing their talents in dance, drama and singing with first and second years sharing the stage. Some second years had solo spots and there are a number of striking singers in that year group.

Thoughtfully staged full company numbers, such as Bohemian Rhapsody and the boxing number I’m Still Standing, were an opportunity to see how the graduating students can melt into a group and at the same time retain their individuality. Being a team player is a valued quality at Expressions and it will serve these students well when they are out in the big wide world of work. The choreographers had put together some numbers with a kaleidoscopic dimension and the dancers responded with relish. It was impressively controlled relish. Tight, sharp dancing from everyone but happily they were not drilled to distraction.

The graduating students came together for Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, an enjoyable piece of nostalgia given a fresh approach but not too way out. Charlie Clarke’s fun personality and physicality came to the fore in this and the other students responded to her.

Rebecca Shelton’s plaintive singing of Come To Your Senses was a highlight of the evening. Standing to one side on the curtained side, singing with appropriate feeling, the emotional and physical expression kept gently controlled. Elsewhere in the programme she showed poise, lithe movement and an engaging presence that will ensure she is rarely out of work.

Kirsty Layton’s dancing in the Whitney Houston number I Have Nothing, was quite captivating. She holds the attention, being a smooth dancer with a classic base and her singing has subtlety.

The Head of Drama at Expressions is Patrick McGrath and he likes to challenge his students. Not for them any run of the mill material. The graduates came together for an extract from Sara Kane’s 4:48 Psychosis, a stark, sombre piece on an otherwise celebratory evening, and they excelled. Amie Richards, who is the head girl at Expressions, and Aston Fisher did much to set the tone. All of the group were involved to the hilt, even when walking off.

Charlie Clarke’s extract from Shirley Valentine, with the eponymous housewife talking to the kitchen wall, was warmly received. She worked on a bare stage and that made her performance all the more impressive.

Aston Fisher was a big hit in a thoughtfully staged presentation of Alto’s Lament, from Forbidden Broadway. She handled the many different extracts from musical theatre hits in this number with much relish and glee and the changes were superbly executed. Her movements were assured and unfussy and, so refreshing to see in a showcase, she looked to be enjoying herself.

Amie Richards and Rose Lockett, supported by second year boys, showed exceptional balance and control in Shuffling, a popping and locking piece notable for its fluidity but still very exciting. It’s not often that a reviewer will use the word fluidity when describing hip hop.

Big production numbers were big with a noticeable absence of brash and the audience could make out every word. The evening came to a memorable climax with everyone on stage for Rhythm of Life. It was pulsating with joy, had a thrilling crescendo and the discipline just as good as it was for the opening number.

Expert choice (Kevin Leo, singer): Rose Lockett

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