NEW YORK NEW YORK by Beeston Musical Theatre Group​
The Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton​

An evening of music and songs from musicals celebrating The Big Apple, or relating to the city that never sleeps, is on offer this week at the Duchess Theatre in Long Eaton​. Music from "West Side Story", "Avenue Q", "Little Shop Of Horrors", "Sweet Charity", "Guys n Dolls", plus many others. There's also "My Way", performed in such a way that you wouldn't have guessed that it wasn't a song from a musical, and "Empire State Of Mind" which was just out of this world, I wanted to get up and sway to it but I don't think the rest of my seated row would have appreciated it.

There were slightly different arrangements of "Tomorrow" from "Annie" and "Theme from New York New York" which were just jaw droppingly good, really highlighting the ensemble work that Beeston Musical Theatre Group do so well.

It would be unfair for me to highlight any one song or singer as every single piece tonight was just so good, whether by solo, duo or group sections. All different but all as much as a jigsaw as you can get. With this not being a musical performance per say, but a musical tribute to NY, the music was almost non stop which gave musical director, Nathan Truesdale​ a full on job for two hours, including the interval.

The four piece band created a full rounded sound and apart from a little racing on the keyboards right at the start, everything sounded just perfect. It was opening night after all so any nerves that were maybe the cause of any wobbles, will now be out of systems, as they were in the second half.

If I were to be picky, and I am, if only because this theatre group are one of the best in Nottinghamshire or Derbyshire, my only slight bug bear was that the follow spot at times didn't. Follow that is. Again a minor issue which by the second half seemed to have been sorted out.

Some nice choreography courtesy of Keli Wain and the cast as a joint effort and I appreciated the tap section and the ensemble choreography in "The Rhythm Of Life" and "Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat" from the musicals "Sweet Charity" and "Guys n Dolls" respectively.

Aurally and visually pleasing and great entertainment value with something for everyone tonight, and even a special pre show announcement from a well known Sesame Street character.

So, if you want an evening of great songs, sung, nay performed with wonderful enthusiasm, all slotted into two fleeting hours, then this is the place to be, the Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton until Saturday 30 May 2015. Start spreading the news......