Review: Romany Wood, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury - with pictures
More than 200 Shropshire schoolchildren took to the stage at Shrewsbury to mark the tenth anniversary of Theatre Severn with a revival of the children’s musical Romany Wood, the show that opened the venue a decade ago.
There was a full house at the Frankwell Quay theatre for this gala production which brought together many of the original team behind the original 2009 staging, which was the opening production attended by HRH Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex.
This was very much a homegrown Shropshire production, not only featuring pupils from Shrewsbury and surrounding villages in the Romany Wood Choir, but also musicians drawn from Shropshire Youth Orchestra under the baton of SYO’s Mike Turner.
Based on a children’s story by Beshlie, a Romany who lives in Shropshire, Romany Wood featured lyrics and words by former Lacon Childe and Idsall School headmaster David Carr and music by Ludlow-based composer David Gaurkroger. Both were present at Monday evening’s performance, Mr Carr as narrator and Mr Gaukroger on keyboard.
Guest soloist was award-winning soprano Erika Madi Jones, originally from the Cleobury Mortimer area, and the choir director was Alison Stevens from Shropshire Music Services.
Enthusiastic
Act 1 featured the story of Romany Wood in choral form with an enthusiastic and delightful performance by the young singers, who had actions to go along with their songs and particularly enjoyed the jazzy Washday Blues, as did the audience.
Act 2 saw special guests, students from Elmhurst Ballet School, perform the Romany Wood ballet bringing to life the charming story of woodland animals, Trollon and Esmeralda, falling in love. It was an impressive ensemble performance in which elegant young dancer Mia Stapleton was outstanding as Esmeralda, a potential star for the future.
The Edgbaston school, which is linked to Birmingham Royal Ballet, now include the short ballet in their repertoire. Choreographer, acclaimed Birmingham ballet dancer Kit Holder, and artistic director Robert Parker joined the youngsters to take a bow.
Councillor Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council’s portfolio holder for culture and leisure, a former manager of Shrewsbury’s main venues, thanked artistic director Maggie Love as the motivating force behind Romany Wood’s revival and others who had made the show possible. She had special words of thanks for the theatre’s staff, past and present.
Mayor of Shrewsbury and Shropshire Council leader Councillor Peter Nutting spoke about how some people had misgivings 15 years ago when a new theatre was first mooted, being worried that Shrewsbury could not support such a high profile facility.
However, he said, that the thriving venue had become a success story for the town, bringing in visitors as well as entertaining local people with shows that frequently attracted a full house. He also praised the talent of the young people involved in Romany Wood.
Romany Wood has also been a success story for charities, having raised more than £100,000 for children’s charities over the years, with productions having been staged nationwide, from Birmingham’s Symphony Hall to York Minster, and involving more than 10,000 children.
Monday’s performance in Shrewsbury featured children from the following schools: Barrow 1618 C of E Primary, Bicton CE Primary, Crowmoor Primary, St George’s Junior, Mereside C of E Primary, Minsterley Primanry, Moreton Hall, Radbrook Primary, Prees CE Primary, Whixall CE Primary, Wilfred Owen, St Winefride’s RC Independent.
