Theatre company concert series could end

Possible final show does well, audience hopes for more

Michael Reckord, Gleaner Writer

For the past few months, the Jamaica Musical Theatre Company (JMTC) has been producing delightful monthly concerts at Alhambra Inn. What may have been the final in the 2010-2011 concert series was presented on Sunday evening.

That's according to JMTC Chairman Douglas Bennett. The unwelcome news to probably the largest audience for the season was given at the end of the show, as Bennett expressed his thanks to all who helped to make it the success it had been.

However, while admitting that there were challenges to mounting another concert, the chairman said efforts were being made to have one on May 1. What was certain, Bennett said, was that the JMTC's 'offspring', the Jamaica Junior Theatre Company, would be mounting its 21st annual concert on June 5, and the audience was invited to that.

Produced for the JMTC by David Reid & Friends, Sunday's concert was titled 'The Spirit of Easter - Reflections'. Apparently, the name embraced the entire Easter weekend, for the sorrow associated with Good Friday as well as the joy of Easter Sunday were both reflected in the programme.

The first half, lasting an hour, was titled 'Oratorio Excerpts' and consisted of items by Mendelssohn, Haydn and Handel.

Lasting just under an hour, the second half comprised sacred songs, spirituals, a song from a Broadway musical and two pretty tunes by flautist Bryan Aikman.

A newcomer to the JMTC concerts, Aikman was one of four special guest performers. The others were soloists Lucette Cargill, June Thompson Lawson and Jodi HoLung.

In all, there were more than two dozen singers, and when all were onstage as the chorus, the sound was pleasingly rich. The other performers were the excellent accompanists, Ann Trouth, on piano, and Audley Davidson, on keyboard.

In a concert of a generally high standard, there were some outstanding moments. They included the more cheerful songs by the chorus - See the Conquering Hero Comes and Hallelujah, Amen (from Handel's Judas Maccbaeus) and the closing number, a spiritual, Ride on King Jesus (which was given an encore at the audience's insistence).

Then there were the spirituals by soloist Christine MacDonald Nevers, Give Me That Old Time Religion and Every Time I Feel The Spirit, and the solos by Jodi HoLung, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Pie Jesu and, from Jesus Christ Superstar, the popular and poignant I Don't Know How to Love Him.

expressions

Both women did more than just sing. Calling on their dramatic experience, they acted out the songs, with movement, gestures and facial expressions.

Aikman's flute playing of a segment of a Mozart sonata and the spiritual His Eye is on the Sparrow was also noteworthy. So, too, was the seldom-heard Mapletoft Poulle version of The Lord's Prayer which Reid sang.

In the second half, there was a temporary problem with the lighting. Because of where they were standing and the back lighting, soloists Yvonne Miller and Thompson Lawson were seen by the audience in silhouette, with their faces indistinct.

This was especially unfortunate as they were doing well with their songs, Give Me an Understanding Heart (Rubenstein) and Panis Angelicus (Franck), respectively.

Fans of the JMTC concert series are no doubt hoping that the company will indeed manage to mount one more on May 1.