Noda Scotland News May 2005
Our outing on this wet and windy night was well worth the trip to Musselburgh to see MAMA's annual concert. The balance of the programme proved to be just right. The cast of forty-four members put their hearts into the show. we were given such offerings as "Country and Western" followed by "Lennon & McCartney". The second half opened with "A Taste of Scotland" and the evening finished off with "Stage and Screen". Good use was made throughout the evening of the five youngsters, especially in the "Ob-La-Di" and "Scyscraper Wain" sections. The company pulled together and gave us a first class night out. The producers' happy knack of giving solos to members who are not normally company principles paid off. The various sections were tied together by the Irish Wit of Jim Lavery, who brought more than a few chuckles and laughs from the packed house. A very high standard of show. Thanks for the invitation.

A review from the local press, February 2005:
Last week, the Brunton Theatre was rocking and rolling to the sounds of Musselburgh Amateur Musical Association’s annual Revue. From Thursday to Saturday, including a Saturday matinee, the company sang and danced its way through a great variety of songs, once again showing an abundance of versatility and exuberance. They threw themselves into a bright Country and Western opening which included old favourites such as Stand By Your Man, Islands In The Stream, Crazy and Dance the Night Away, as well as the less well known opening number Do You Wanna Hear a Country Tune, from the musical Phantom of the Country Opera.
There followed a Lennon and McCartney tribute, starting with a twelve minute long Beatles medley and including an excellent barber shop quartet rendition of When I’m Sixty Four, finishing the first half with a poignant choral version of John Lennon’s Imagine, which was dedicated to the recent Indian Ocean Tsunami victims. The interval collections during the run of four performances made a total of £900 for the Appeal. Many thanks are due to the generosity of all who donated.
The second half got under way with a trip round Scotland via Loch Lomond, Runrig style, and featuring the music of the Proclaimers, the Bay City Rollers and a good dose of humour before setting down in the Mull of Kintyre and a stirring Highland Cathedral.
The pace did not slacken as the finale worked its way through a variety of Film and Show tunes which included Alice Blue Gown from MAMA’s forthcoming stage show Irene, Can You feel the Love Tonight from the Lion King and Cell Block Tango from Chicago, before finishing with a wonderful performance of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. The evening’s entertainment was completed with a reprise number when a somewhat surprised audience was urged to get to its feet and join in as the company let rip with a rollicking Blues Brothers, I Need You.
MAMA once again showed that its hard work in rehearsals paid off. The younger members played their part, showing great maturity on stage and blending in well with the adults when required.
Special mention must be made of the musical backing under the very capable Musical Director, Morven Murphy, whose husband Keith gave an inspiring performance on lead guitar throughout, especially in Bohemian Rhapsody, matched by an equally talented pianist in Simon Hughes. The remaining band members, too numerous to name, played to the highest standard making the event a most enjoyable way to beat the winter blues. Producer, Eleanor Brown again handled a large cast on the Brunton stage with skill and imagination.
Well worth a visit!

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