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CELEBRATION!
Arena Theatre
and Big Little Theatre School
Regent Centre, Christchurch
May 2003

AS the old saying goes, “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em”, so these two equally renowned groups joined forces for this well-balanced evening of music, dance and comedy that left the audience shouting for more.
For two and a half glorious, energy-filled hours the combination of youth and experience proved irresistible. We were treated to songs from My Fair Lady, Half A Sixpence, West Side Story, Crazy For You, Blues Brothers, Chicago, Miss Saigon, Mamma Mia and many more, as well as comic sketches such as Pete and Dud’s famous one-legged Tarzan audition.
That both companies are brimming with all-round talent was plain to see, with several Arena members, known mainly for their acting skills, showing hitherto hidden singing voices par excellence.
The only slight disappointment was that, save for the two or three people who are actually in both groups, the companies by and large performed their own separate sections rather than actually merging to produce even more spectacular numbers. But this evening was a first, and since it proved to be such a resounding success, with obvious benefits all round, let’s hope it will be just the beginning of many more to come.

Linda Kirkman
Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo.

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