Jubilee n Malvern Theatres

Worcester Operatic & Dramatic Society presented excerpts from West Side Story. In meaningful dance choreography, young men represented the two opposing gangs; mod girls were stunning in red and black as they portrayed America.

Extracts from Malvern Theatre Players' Shake, Ripple & Roll had lost none of the verve and attraction of their original production. This multi-talented group was obviously enjoying itself; one of the highlights was Poor Angelo, sung by Mr Cohen, with the chorus backing of Do-da-do-da-do.

Annie, which is to be the next show by Worcester Operatic & Dramatic Society - Youth Section, was another group of able youngsters. Maintaining an American accent, they sang Maybe, Easy Street, and the whole company danced and sang Tomorrow.

Opera was represented by Malvern Opera in a scene from Verdi's Il Trovatore. Dressed in beautiful dark green velvet and silver, soprano Sue Black as Leonora sang in dramatic and coloratura style, while magenta robed and fur trimmed, David Purcell, baritone, as the Count of Luna, lusted after her.

Malvern Light Opera Society sang a medley of well-known numbers encompassing choruses and solos, among them Fringe on Top, Edelweiss, There is Nothing Like a Dame and The Hills are Alive.

Worcester Gilbert & Sullivan Society were seen in part of Wicked Waxworks, a tongue-in-cheek view of G&S's operettas. All the ingredients were there with a love-sick bride and groom and other characters of a pirate king, judge and jester.

Midland Musical Theatre Group was as highly polished and attractively dressed as ever, and Hits of the Brits, incorporating Down Town and I've Got the Music, was choreographed brilliantly, as was The London Stage, a compilation of songs from the shows.

Complementary lighting augmented the acts.

Charities to benefit from this event are the Heart Foundation, and the Deaf, both regarded highly by the late Frank Blackwell.

Jill Hopkins